Where else can you find die-hard wakeboarding fans, with a boat tie-up en masse, mere feet from the world’s best boat riders vying for the largest prize purse available? The TNT Watersports Wakefest TN has become synonymous with the event that offers it all. What defines the event are standout performances with a lot on the line.
After 19 years running, the crew at TNT Watersports with the support of Malibu Boats pulled hundreds of riders over two days in a setting that puts pure wakeboarding in front of thousands of spectators.
“There is almost a cult-like following for this event,” shared Malibu Boats’ Rob Corum who is no stranger to wake events over the last 2 decades. “Without reliable cell service, everyone was present and engaged rather than getting clips for their social media,” said Corum. “It was just about being there in the moment.”
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The moment could not have been more profitable for Argentinian Ulf Ditsch. He has made a name for himself with charging ballsy technical maneuvers and taking them to the flats, upping the difficulty, amplitude and risk while making tricks look stylish and unique. Take a little bit of Shapiro, sprinkle in some Dean Smith, and you have something resembling the intensity that Ditsch rides with. Layer in the style focused La Familia influence of Massi Piffaretti, Sam Brown, Tyler Higham, Luca Kidd and his brother Kai Ditsch and you have a rider who is extremely difficult to take down in a format like the winner-take-all shootout. If Ditsch’s $25k win at last year’s shootout wasn’t motivation enough, this year’s $50k prize for first place was surely going to reveal his a-game.
“If you ain’t first, you’re last” joked Corum as he pointed out how impressive Ditsch’s performance was in the losers-take-none Shootout on Friday. “His stalefish front to blind was unreal”, Corum said as Ditsch dropped the largest tricks of the weekend back-to-back-to-back-to-back. His signature Tootsie Roll, followed by a Backside 540, into a Cab 720, then finishing with the finale trick had Ditsch stating, “that feeling of landing that fourth trick in the line is unbeatable.”
Interesting choice of words because when he is on, there are few that can beat him.
The rest of the competition included a more traditional two run format with riders being ranked in their division by placing and paid accordingly. Meagan Ethell added yet another 1st place finish to her illustrious collection and repeated her performance from last year, taking home $7,500. Former World Champ Bec Gange made a nice comeback to the podium with a 2nd place spot and up and comer Aussie rider Charli Russell scored her first podium finish, snagging 3rd.
On the Men’s side, Sam Brown took down the top spot, giving the crowd a view of his unique take on the sport. Guenther Oka continued his streak in his comeback year after a rough injury securing 2nd and Kai Ditsch rounded out the 3rd spot.
Notable tricks of the weekend were the aforementioned Stale front to blind by the Ulf, Sam’s Crow 7, Guenther’s switch and regular Pete 5’s and Thomas Herman’s double back roll into the flats, as teased in his recent social media posts.
How would they top this next year for the 20th annual? Could there be an even larger purse? Word is that they are already getting plans together to up the ante. In Ditsch’s words, “It is by far the best event of the year, and not just because of the prize money!” Stay tuned.
