Wake Sport Athletes Given Career Opportunity
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. (January 25, 2016) – The World Wakeboard Association (WWA) announced today the return of the highly anticipated Malibu WWA Rider Experience for the 2016 season. The Malibu WWA Rider Experience is the worldwide leader in amateur competition, providing a unique opportunity for amateur riders to learn from the best in the sport as they continue their rise through the ranks. Since its inception, the Rider Experience series of events has seen a more than 400 percent increase in participation in just three short years.
North America will host five regional events across the continent, featuring athletes in all WWA amateur divisions, including the return of the Jr. Pro Men’s series. In addition to the East, West, Central, and South regions of the U.S., the WWA will hold a Rider Experience in Canada for the second consecutive year. The Jr. Pro Men’s division will highlight each WWA Regional Championship with a total of $15,000 in prize money and travel scholarships to the WWA National Championships in and/or the WWA World Championships.
The 2016 Malibu WWA Rider Experience provides an all-inclusive platform for wake sports, incorporating the WWA Regional Championship, Judge’s Experience, WWA Pro Card Qualifier, Freeride Friday and Surf Gate Sunday experiences.
“The Malibu WWA Rider Experience is back by popular demand and we’re thrilled to again have the support of Malibu Boats and their talented roster of professional athletes,” said Shannon Starling, WWA President. “Up-and-coming amateur wake athletes are presented with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase and hone their skills with input from some of the best wakeboard athletes on the water. We’re less than two months away from the first event of the season and we can’t wait to kick things off!”
Each Rider Experience event consists of a weekend filled with family-oriented fun, beginning with Freeride Friday. Freeride Friday is geared toward riders of all skill levels, allowing them to get comfortable on the course before competition and receive tips from Malibu’s pro athletes in attendance. Parents and riders of all ages and skill levels are highly encouraged to partake in the Judge’s Experience where WWA staff will provide valuable insight on what WWA Officials will be looking for on the water during upcoming competitions. Surf Gate Sunday provides riders with an electrifying experience to surf behind Malibu’s Wakesetter series boats with Surf Gate for a playful Sunday afternoon on the water with family and friends.
“We are very excited to begin our fourth year in partnership with the WWA in bringing the Rider Experience to aspirational amateurs and local fans of wake sports,” said Jack Springer, CEO of Malibu Boats. “Each year we have raised the bar, improving the format and 2016 will be no exception. Amateurs will not only be able to earn their Pro Card, but also the opportunity to receive tips from Malibu’s professional athletes. Our main goal is to make the Malibu Rider Experience unique and experiential by getting families behind Malibu’s premium Wakesetter boats for wakeboarding and wakesurfing with our pro athletes.”
All athletes must compete in their respective WWA Regional Championship in order to be eligible by invitation to the 2016 WWA Wakeboard National Championship (boat only).
Malibu Boat dealers in each region will host the WWA Rider Experiences beginning in Florida and working its way across North America. Information and registration can be found by visiting TheWWA.com/RiderExperience.
2016 Malibu WWA Rider Experience Dates
Pro Card Qualifier – # 1
Host: Freedom Wake Park
Orlando, Florida
March 19
Rider Experience West
Host Dealer: Boulder Boats
Lake Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
May 13-15
Rider Experience South
Host Dealer: Promarine
Hyco Lake
Roxboro, North Carolina
June 3-5
Rider Experience Central
Host Dealer: SMG Houston
3 Palms Action Sports Park
Houston, Texas
July 8-10
Rider Experience East
Held in conjunction with Wootown Wakefest
Host Dealer: Eastcoast Flight Craft
Lake Quinsigamond
Worcester, Massachusetts
July 15-17
Rider Experience Canada
Host Dealer: Aqua Sport Marine
Wow Lake
St. Zotique, QC, Canada
August 12-14
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About Malibu Boats
Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, known for leading the industry with major innovations, including the first onboard computer system in 1993, the ingenious Power Wedge hydrofoil in 2006 (completely redesigned in 2014), the industry’s first wake-maximizing hull in 2000, and Surf Gate, the innovation that changed the face of wakesurfing forever, in 2012. Malibu markets the Wakesetter and Response models – as well as the Axis Wake Research brand – through a worldwide dealer network. With some 450 employees and three manufacturing facilities, in California, Tennessee, and Australia, Malibu builds boats to help you live a #lifewithoutlimits on the water. (NASDAQ: MBUU) | @malibuboats | #evolutionproseries
About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sports sanctioning. 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. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the primary source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out www.thewwa.com