LAKE ALFRED, FL (January, 14, 2022) – The World Wake Association (WWA) and Malibu Boats are excited to announce the return of the world’s premier amateur development event series with five stops of action for the 2022 Malibu WWA Rider Experience Series for the tenth year. This season, amateur riders across the U.S. will come together yet again alongside the top Malibu Pro athletes for a weekend focused on the next generation in wake through family-friendly instruction and competition in a laid-back atmosphere that is open to participation from all who are interested. The WWA and Malibu are excited to showcase the sport’s growing talent and continue the exponential growth of the sport as the Rider Experience series heads into its monumental season.
“It’s been incredible to watch the Malibu Rider Experience series grow since its inception in 2013. These events truly encompass what makes our sport so special, bringing together old friends, new families, and brand-new riders into the sport. Our educational and rider development programs both on and off the water give competitors and parents a unique opportunity to take their understanding of what judges are looking for to the next level. We’re thrilled to celebrate ten years of growing the sport with Malibu this season,” said WWA President, Shannon Starling.
Since 2013 the Malibu Rider Experience has hosted thousands of riders from first-timers to those making the transition to pro, while building local and national wake communities that fully encompass the spectrum of the sport that makes wake unlike anything in its path. Continuing the great feedback in 2021, the Jr. Pro Women’s division alongside the Jr. Pro will continue to be as the main event of each WWA Wakeboard Regional Championship with $20,000 in travel scholarships divided equally towards the WWA Wakeboard National Championships for the top overall series finishers in each division.
Each weekend will again kick off with ‘Shreddin’ Saturdays’ featuring freeriding for wakeboarding and wakesurfing, product demos, instruction from Malibu Pro athletes and a Judges Experience. This fully inclusive day of all things wake will provide the opportunity for the entire family, friends, and neighbors alike to familiarize themselves with the course, receive tips on the water and in the boat, and test out the industry’s latest products. The WWA Regional Championships and Pro Card Qualifiers will be held on Sunday giving amateur riders the chance to compete with riders in their region and qualify for the WWA Wakeboard National Championships and aspiring pros the opportunity to earn professional status.
Continuing on the success seen the past two seasons, the final stop of the series will finish in the eastern region in Smithville, TN for the Rider Experience East in conjunction with Tennessee Wakefest. The top finishers from each region in all divisions will receive special invites to compete at Wakefest which will serve as the grand finale of the 2022 Rider Experience series.
Malibu Boats dealers in each region will host the WWA Rider Experience events beginning on the west coast and working its way across North America. Information and registration can be found by visiting TheWWA.com/RiderExperience.
All athletes must compete in their respective WWA Regional Championship to be eligible for the 2021 WWA Wakeboard National Championships (boat only).
All riders must hold a current WWA Pro Card to register in the pro division at any WWA wakeboard event. The top 15 riders on the 2021 WWA Wakeboard World Rankings list will retain their Pro Card for the 2022 season. All other riders must obtain their Pro Card at one of six qualifying events. For a full list of rules visit TheWWA.com/ProCard.
2022 Malibu WWA Rider Experience Dates
Rider Experience West
Host Dealer: Taylor’s Boats
Location: Quail Creek Reservoir, St. George, Utah
April 22nd-23rd
Rider Experience Central
Host Dealer: Texas Malibu
Location: Lakeside Park, Marble Falls, Texas
April 30th-May 1st
Rider Experience South
Host Dealer: Transition Watersports
Location: Carney Island Recreation Area, Ockalawha, Florida
June 11th-12th
Rider Experience North
Host Dealer: Chessie Marine
Location: Mount Harmon Plantation, Earleville, Maryland
July 16th-17th
Rider Experience East
Host Dealer: TNT Watersports
Location: Pates Ford Marina
July 22nd-24th
About The WWA: Developed for riders by riders, the World Wake Association stands as a global network of passionate representatives dedicated to the growth of wakesports. Since 1989 our mission and values remain true to the core of our community. Our position as the authority on competitive standards has been earned through consistent development; sanctioning and producing more than 15,000 worldwide events and counting. We are the only organization solely focused on the best interests of the sport, spearheading a collective movement on the journey to discover where wake takes you. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Pro Card and WWA Rider Experience. For more information on the World Wake Association, check out www.thewwa.com.
About Malibu Boats, Inc.
Based in Loudon, Tennessee, Malibu Boats, Inc. (MBUU) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a diverse range of recreational powerboats, including performance sport, sterndrive and outboard boats. Malibu Boats, Inc. is the market leader in the performance sport boat category through its Malibu and Axis boat brands, the leader in the 20’ – 40’ segment of the sterndrive boat category through its Cobalt brand, and in a leading position in the saltwater fishing boat market with its Pursuit and Cobia offshore boats and Pathfinder, Maverick, and Hewes flats and bay boat brands. A pre-eminent innovator in the powerboat industry, Malibu Boats, Inc. designs products that appeal to an expanding range of recreational boaters, fisherman and water sports enthusiasts whose passion for boating is a key component of their active lifestyles. For more information, visit www.malibuboats.com, www.axiswake.com, www.cobaltboats.com, www.pursuitboats.com, or maverickboatgroup.com