You’ve put in your time learning the fundamentals of wakeboarding, and you’ve even got yourself some gear that fits you perfectly. You have your phone out on Instagram, and you’re watching that same video you did a year ago. Now, you’re ready to try that maneuver yourself!
Alright, let’s get to the point: you want to get out there, show your skills, and compete against other riders. So, where do you start? We’ll help you get started with your path to next-level wakeboarding in today’s blog!
Start With Local Events
It’s always a good idea to reach out to your local organization to see what events they have for the season. In Ontario, we have Ontario Wake to help grow the sport by putting on amazing events.
If you’re looking to get into wakeboarding in Ontario, it is definitely worth attending their events or reaching out for more information.
Check Out Various Contests
How do contests work? Well, the format is quite straightforward. There are usually three buoys placed in the body of water: a Start, Three-Quarter, and End buoy.
The boat will start at the end of the course. Once the boat passes the start buoy, you start doing tricks. In the amateur events, you can do as many tricks as you can until the boat crosses the End buoy.
Then, the boat turns around, and that End buoy now becomes the start buoy. On the way back, you can do as many tricks as you can before the End buoy.
But here’s the catch! If you fall once, the boat will pick you back up. After your second fall, you’re done. You’ll have to swim to shore! (Actually, there’s usually a pickup boat that will come get you).
If you happen to fall on your second pass, for the first time, after the Three-Quarter buoy, you will not be picked up, as the boat will not have time to get on a plane again.
Contest Judging
The wakeboarding tricks you do are judged by three people who are in the boat. You can only do a trick once. If you repeat it, only the first one counts.Judges are looking for difficulty, intensity, execution, variety, and overall composition.
It is a subjective sport, so there is no fixed score for a particular trick. A trick can be manipulated based on the grab, style, and amplitude.
In professional competitions, competitors are limited to four tricks per pass and eight tricks total. This allows riders to perform their eight hardest tricks instead of rushing to cram in as many as possible.
How to Prepare for a Contest
Now that you know how a wakeboarding contest works, you may wonder what you need to do to prepare for a contest and bring the day of. If you plan on competing in a particular event, check for registration deadlines and late fees.
Some contests will cut off entry the day before an event or increase the price of registration the week before, so do your research. Almost all of the competitions are listed on the WWA (World Wake Association) site, so it’s easy to check out what’s nearby or in a place where you’d love to travel to wakeboard.
Practice and Come Prepared
Coming into an event, you’ll want to practice a lot. Remember, you only get one fall, so make sure your tricks are consistent!
On the day of the event, you must bring your board, lifejacket, and your own rope. People ride at all different rope lengths, so contests require you to bring your own to make sure everybody is satisfied and on an equal playing field.
You are also allowed to choose your own speed. Since it will be behind a boat different than your own, if you tell the driver the length of your rope, they’ll have a general idea of how fast to start you.
You can usually adjust your speed as you go.
Talk to Other Wakeboarders
Wakeboarding is a community!If you’re at a competition, don’t be afraid to talk to the guys who have been doing it for a long time. They can offer some excellent advice and help you figure out what you need to do to stand on top of the podium.
Although it is a competition, don’t forget your sportsmanship and encourage all the other athletes. It makes it more fun for everyone.
So get out on the water, practice your best tricks, and get ready for your first competition!
Know Boating Safety Essentials Before Enjoying Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding isn’t possible without a boat! So, as we recommend for anyone who drives or spends considerable time boating and on the water, take a boater education course before hitting the water for your next wakeboarding contest or day on the lake.
BOATsmart! online courses make it easy to learn everything you need to know to help you stay safe when having fun or enjoying a competition. Plus, you never know what the safety knowledge you have could help someone else survive a scary situation the water.
Before wakeboarding in Canada, get started with our Canada-specific course. For wakeboarders enjoy waters in the U.S., choose the course that goes with the state where you live or play!
Originally published in 2019. Content most recently reviewed and updated for relevancy and accuracy September 17, 2024.
