2007 "Get Wake" Opportunities

Big Air Is Back At SML!

by Jerry Hale

Lakers who love wakeboarding – or who just enjoy being amazed by the “big air” tricks of accomplished riders – have several opportunities to catch the wake scene at Smith Mountain Lake this summer. Here’s a rundown on what you can expect.

June 16: East Coast Freestyle at Bernard’s Landing –

Area MasterCraft® dealer Bridgeside Marine and Ronix® Wakeboards, a pro line being featured this summer in Bridgeside’s new Freestyle Board Shop, will host the first stop on the four-event MasterCraft East Coast Wakefest series. MasterCraft will award one of its killer X-Star® towboats to the top rider at the end of this series, so you can bet the hot pros will be out to score an early lead here at SML. Ronix will be there scouting the amateurs and has pledged to award a pro contract during this competition. As we saw last year, the cove at Bernard’s offers great viewing from both land and water. Registration ($35) is from 8-9:30 a.m.; Novices will begin about 10 and Outlaws will be riding in the early evening. Call Bridgeside Marine (719-2628) for more details. Admission is free. Refreshments available.

The Laker magazine invites participants and spectators to an after party at the Bernard’s Landing Clubhouse, with food and beverages for sale by Bernard’s. Music will be provided by The Noizies, a local band. No cover charge.

July 14th: Wake ‘N Skate Board Shop’s 4th Annual Smith Mountain Wakefest at Bernard’s Landing –

Gary Ellis and the Wake ‘N Skate Team will again host a terrific all-day wake event for area boarders, towed by the new MB Tomcat®. Rider registration ($35) will begin at 8 a.m., with the Grom (youngster) competition starting at 9. Intermediates, Over 40s and Experts will follow, with Outlaws showing their incredible flips and spins toward the end of the event. Prizes for top men and women riders in each division will be awarded. Visit with reps from CWB® and Liquid Force® at the on-site board shop. Spectator admission is free. Refreshments will be available. Come by boat or car. Kids are welcome to swim at Bernard’s sandy beach; there will be a winch for wake skaters and a water trampoline for swimmers. For more info, call Wake ‘N Skate at 540.721.1941. 

August 10-12: Liquid Force Pro Stock Photo Shoot –

Thanks to Wake ‘n Skate Board Shop, Liquid Force® has heard about SML and will bring a dozen or so top Team riders here for three days of boarding activity, all to be captured in video and photos to showcase their 2008 products. The action will be houseboat-based, with exact locations and schedules available at the shop and posted online at smithmountainlaker.com once they are determined. The general public is welcome to come out and watch, but are asked to travel at no-wake speeds in the areas where riding is taking place.

Wake ‘N Skate will host a customer appreciation event at its Bridgewater Plaza store on Friday evening, Aug. 10. Enjoy free food, beverages and a chance to meet the pro riders here for the photo shoot. Kids may bring (or buy) something to be autographed!