Wakefest 2018 made one big splash this past weekend on Center Hill Lake outside Cookeville, TN. Wakefest is one of wakeboarding’s largest grassroots competition in the Southeast and has been continually growing since its inception on Old Hickory Lake in 2005. In fact, it grew so large that the event had to relocate to Pates Ford Marina at Center Hill Lake in 2012 to suite such a massive audience. This weekend saw around 3,000 spectators and around 75 riders from all over the world. This fan focused contest allows riders from all ages and skills to show people what they’re made of with divisions for pro men, pro women, advanced, intermediate, beginners, and groms. This year also featured a competition unlike anything else in wakeboarding history: a one pass, 4 tricks, no falls, in a $50,000 pro shootout.

This fun packed weekend kicked off with Malibu Boat’s rider, Dallas Friday’s clinic for 9 & under girls to ride, practice, wakesurf, and get advice for Saturday’s competition from the ESPY award winner herself. Customers also got to spend time Friday with the Malibu Just Ride Tour powered by GM Marine on the all-new 22 LSV with Malibu athletes Jeff Langley and Brian Grubb.

On Saturday, these riders were the first to be able to ride the all-new Malibu 2019 22 LSV. There was no better way to welcome the brand new 22 LSV than unveiling this luxury performance boat on the water pulling the riders. Brian Grubb, Malibu wakeskater, parachuted into the event accompanied by T-shirt canons, cozies, and float giveaways where the crowd went crazy. This awesome day was capped off with the audience getting to witness some unbelievable action by the Pro Women Riders and the Pro Men Riders with Malibu Athlete Dallas Friday taking home first in Pro Women.

Sunday was a day for the history books, where it started off with the Intermediate, Advanced, and Outlaw divisions. The winner of the Outlaw division, Malibu Junior Pro Athlete Nick Brown, was then allowed to advance into a new, one-of-a-kind shootout competition. Never in Wakefest history has there been a competition like this before: a $50K one pass, one winner-take-all shootout. The winner of the Shootout was Malibu Boat’s own, Oli Derome, getting to take home wakeboarding’s largest cash purse.

Malibu Boats could not have been happier to be a part of one of wakeboarding’s biggest competition and we are so proud of every rider that came out. Huge shout out to TNT Watersports, Pates Ford Marina, Fish Lipz Grill, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, and many more event sponsors for making this awesome event happen year after year. We are already counting down the days for Wakefest 2019, and you don’t want to miss it!

Winner List:

Shootout Winner: Oliver Derome

Pro Men: 1st: Tony Iacconi, 2nd: Cory Teunissen, 3rd: Harley Clifford, 4th: Raph Derome, 5th: Oliver Derome, 6th: Elliot Digney

Pro Women: 1st: Dallas Friday, 2nd; Taylor McCollough, 3rd: Jamie Lopina, 4th: Charli Shore

Outlaw: 1st: Nick Brown, 2nd: Benjamin Brown, 3rd: Daniel Johnson

Advanced: 1st: Andrew, 2nd: Connor, 3rd: Jaron Sullivan

Intermediate: 1st: Keaton, 2nd: Carson, 3rd: Adan Conaster

Beginner: 1st: Ethan, 2nd: Colton, 3rd: Lucas Gaines

Womens: 1st: Piper, 2nd: Jordan, 3rd: Brooke Dyer

Jr: 1st: Kane Ward, 2nd: Cole, 3rd: Brayden Dyer

Grom: 1st: Camryn, 2nd: Graham, 3rd: Sloan