(April 3, 2017) – The World Wake Association (WWA) and Malibu Boats are proud to once again deliver the ultimate amateur development series with the 2017 Malibu WWA Rider Experience. This unique opportunity brings world-class Malibu boats and professional athletes to five stops each season developing wake-sports through family-friendly instruction and competition. Since 2013, this popular series has seen rapid growth each year, hosting thousands of riders from beginners to those ready to make the transition to pro.
The Malibu WWA Rider Experience builds local and national wake communities, giving riders and families access to first-class instruction along with WWA competitive standards and insight over the course of three days. Kicking off with Freeride Friday, riders of all skill levels get an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the course and receive tips from Malibu’s Pro athletes. WWA staff also conducts a Judges Experience clinic available to all parents and riders providing insight on what WWA officials look for on the water during the upcoming competitions. The WWA Regional Championships and Pro Card Qualifiers are held on Saturday giving amateur riders the chance to compete with riders in their region and aspiring the pro’s the opportunity to earn professional status. Surf Gate Sunday gets everyone back on the water behind Malibu’s Wakesetter Series boats to experience the best wave on the water with family and friends.
“The Malibu WWA Rider Experience is at the heartbeat of our sport with a focus on fun, family, and rider development at all levels. The WWA is excited to continue this tradition in our fifth season, having the opportunity to share our passion with riders and friends both old and new,” said WWA Executive Director Corrie Wilson.
North America will host five regional events across the continent, featuring athletes in all WWA amateur divisions, once again including the progressive Jr. Pro Men’s series. In addition to the North, South, West, and Central regions of the U.S., the WWA will also host a Rider Experience in Canada for the third 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 Atlanta and/or the WWA World Championships.
“As we enter our fifth season of partnering with the WWA on the Rider Experience events, we look forward to this summer being the best yet,” said Malibu Boats CEO Jack Springer. “Malibu is committed to growing participation across watersports at every level and our Rider Experience series gives us a great opportunity to do just that behind the world’s best-selling towboats. It’s so inspiring to see families and amateur athletes of all ages and ability levels learning and interacting with our world-class athletes and Wakesetter series boats enjoying their time on the water, because at the end of the day that’s really what matters.”
Malibu Boat dealers in each region will host the WWA Rider Experiences and WWA Pro Card Qualifiers beginning in Florida 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 in order to be eligible by invitation to the 2017 WWA Wakeboard National Championship (boat only).
2017 Malibu WWA Rider Experience Dates
Rider Experience Central
Host Dealer: Boulder Boats
Lake Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
May 5-7
Rider Experience South
Host Dealer: Malibu Boats of Charlotte
Stumpy Creek Boat Landing, Lake Norman
Mooresville, North Carolina
June 16-18
Rider Experience West
Host Dealer: Active Watersports
Koppert Lake
Black Diamond, Washington
June 23-25
Rider Experience North
Host Dealer: Munson Ski & Marine
Pleasant Prairie Rec Plex
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
July 14-16
Rider Experience Canada
Host Dealer: Town & Country Marine
Head Lake Rotary Park
Haliburton, Ontario, Canada
July 21-23
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About Malibu: Malibu Boats is the world’s largest manufacturer of watersports towboats, owning over one-third of the worldwide market share. Malibu sells the Wakesetter, M235 and Response models — as well as the Axis Wake Research brand — through a global dealer network. With approximately 525 employees worldwide 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 | www.malibuboats.com.
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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 towed boardsports. 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 6,000 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.
