We were once again back in the water at the Port Elizabeth Powerboat Club where the WakeSA National Boat Champs were held recently. Port Elizabeth never disappoints as a venue and a hosting site for the wakeboarders. Year in and year out it proves to be the perfect venue that attracts some scintillating wakeboard action. Spectators are treated to spectacular views and the riders enjoy smooth water with hardly any wash-back. The weather completely played its part and with Iron Man happening over the same weekend in PE, a spectacular wakeboarding event was in the making.
With entries running through on the Friday, it was set to be an event filled with fierce competition. With a MasterCraft roaring on the water and a Solid Air System running on the side, with a great pool gap and rails going into the dam, it was a weekend filled with entertainment for all! The committee decided to open categories for younger children to allow them the experience of entering a competition.
This is one way of introducing children to the sport without the intimidation factor of the competitive side of wakeboarding. There were children as young as six having fun on the glassy waters, as their parents looked on proudly from the sidelines. We need to nurture our young competitors as they are the future of this wonderful sport. Having proud parents on the sidelines is the catalyst for future turnouts. With this support from the parents and the committee,
wakeboarding will be assured a promising future.
Saturday morning kicked off with the riders eye-balling their competition to see what new tricks are out there and what they are up against. All the riders are known to one another, yet this does not mean any of them can let their guard down. You never know what new trick your competitor has up his sleeve, especially if you haven’t seen them compete or ride for a while. The level of riding displayed on the water on Saturday was more conservative than usual, as everyone seemed to be
playing it safe by keeping back their special tricks as backup for the finals.
The Saturday event ran smoothly with everyone clearing it through their runs and making it to the finals. The riders spent a great afternoon on the Solid Air System that spilled over into a night session before a chill in the air halted proceedings. It was time for the riders to rest and prepare for the finals. Sunday dawned and the day was set to be a scorcher.