Wakeboarding is a water sport of epic proportion, that is very rarely glorified by the average sports fan. Once known as Skurfing in the 1980's, the popularity of the sport has never really become mainstream. There are a handful of countries that participate in Wake competitions. But you will see athletes mainly from America, Canada and Australia. In fact one of the most notable wakeboarders Phil Soven, is a Florida native that became pro at age 11. Now 14 years later at age 25 he is the 5x Defending Pro Tour Champion, 4x Defending King Of Wake Champion and the 3x Defending World Champion. Some Athletes Battling for these titles every year include Harley Clifford (Australia), Aaron Rathy (Canada), Rusty Malinowski (Canada) and Bob Soven (USA), yes the talent runs in the family. Bob is Phil's younger brother and rival in the water. Bob went pro at age 17 and now at 22 the out going, hilarious red head is just coming off his highest honer, being named Alliance Wakeboard "Rider Of The Year" for 2013.
Wakeboarding's season is May-Augest in the United States. For some riders who just can't get enough, they'll sometimes live six months in the states and six months in Australia. When The United States Wake season begins Australia's ends and vice versa.
You will find most wakeboarders call Florida home because it is the prime spot for Cable parks and it has great weather.California however is beginning to make it's way into the cable park world with new cable parks opening up and down the state.
Sponsors of the sport are Brands and companies you've most likely heard of some like Rockstar Energy, Body Glove, Malibu Boats, Master Craft, Monster Energy, and Sanuk Shoe's, the newly popular shoe brand wake boarders have been wearing for years.
Only time will tell if people catch on to the epicly exciting action water sport of Wakeboarding.
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