Everyone got their fix of Wakeboarding action this weekend (21 March) at LiquidForce SA’s [RE]aWAKEening Wakeboard Contest held at StokeCity WakePark. The action got underway at 9am with the qualifying rounds and the finals started around 12pm. The crowd watched the country’s best wakeboarders in various divisions battling it out over the kickers and sliders for valuable season points. This was the first ever contest held where a contingent of development riders from the Learn2Ride Development programme entered, and under the guidance of their brand ambassador, Perfect Dube, they took a podium spot!
It was super exciting to watch a Novice division of more than 11 riders showcasing the skills they’ve been acquiring over the last season, and although he didn’t take the winners spot, Keke from the Learn2Ride development programme, proved that you can achieve anything you put your mind to as he placed 2nd in his 1st ever contest. The winning spot went to Dylan Dugmore, with Jason Pearce finishing in 3rd place.

The Ladies division really thrilled as the crowd saw newcomer Megan Nel with a super clean tantrum off the kicker earning herself the “New Chick on the Block” award. The ladies have seriously raised the bar, all having a solid bag of tricks both on the obstacles and flat water tricks. Melissa Colborne took the title spot with an insanely clean run, followed closely by Candice Bacon and Deidre van Niekerk in 3rd place.

The Junior Men division is the breeding ground for the Open Men division, this is where the guys have to learn to handle the pressure and be focused on their riding. These guys keep pushing themselves and it was great to see Christopher Colborne taking the title. 2nd place went to Nikolai Coetzee and Sean Bacon took the 3rd spot. Special mention must go to Sean who is actually more focused on Wakeskating, but is clearly an all rounder.

The Open Men division was the toughest it’s ever been! With over 10 competitors and 2 international riders the pressure was on for everyone to lay it down! The level of riding was insane and the final was super intense for both competitors and spectators alike. After a gruelling LCQ and then through to the finals, the title was take by Tommy Swaan, out from Holland, who stuck a super clean run. Jeanu du Plooy, who should actually ride in the Junior Men Division, is a super focused and dedicated wakeboarder. His time on the water paid off as he placed 2nd with a run that wowed everyone, his stylish flat water and obstacle tricks were a real crowd pleaser. Kyle Hecht-Wendt, whose intensity is what sets his riding apart always goes huge, and this time it got him 3rd place.

Special mention to everyone involved in making the day a great success, Thanks to StokeCity WakePark, LiquidForce South Africa, Afriski, Skullcandy, Outdoor Tech and Thule.
[RE]aWAKEening Overall Results
Novice
1st Dylan Dugmore
2nd Keke
3rd Jason Pearce
Ladies
1st Melissa Colborne
2nd Candice Bacon
3rd Deidre van Niekerk
Junior Men
1st Christopher Colborne
2nd Nikolai Coetzee
3rd Sean Bacon
Open Men
1st Tommy Swaan
2nd Jeanu du Plooy
3rd Kyle Hecht-Wendt
Photos by Bianca Asher