Here’s all you need to know about riding in any of this season’s Wake NZ events.

Membership

You’ll first need to sign up for a Wake NZ annual membership, which is processed by our governing body, Waterski New Zealand. You can read more about this here. If you’re ready to sign up, head here.

Competitions

Wake NZ runs around four competitions each summer season. We have an age based competition format, with Novice classes to cater for all ages and levels of riding. So, it doesn’t matter how old, experienced or talented you are – you have the opportunity to ride with or against people at the same age and level as you!

Event Registration

You’re able to register for each event on this website. Go to Events, and click on the one you want to ride in, and sign up. We don’t accept payments via the website – these will need to be processed directly into our bank account, or sent via cheque.

Divisions for 2023-24

The divisions for this season have been updated to align with new IWWF divisions as follows:

• U9 Girls
• U9 Boys
• U12 Girls
• U12 Boys
• U14 Girls
• U14 Boys
• U18 Junior Girls
• U18 Junior Boys
• Mixed Women – 19-29 years old
• Mixed Men – 19-29 years old
• O30 Women
• O30 Men
• O40 Women
• O40 Men
• O50 Women
• O50 Men
• Open Men
• Open Women

 

Check your division by entering your birth date and ‘To Date’ = 31 December 2024

 

Open Division Entry Criteria

A rider must have demonstrated a wake to wake 360 degree rotation or invert behind a boat (with sufficient evidence, if required).

 

The age group a rider will be able to compete in this season will be the age they are as at the 31st of December of the year of the competition event.

For example, if the competition date is February 17th 2024, then the age of this rider as at 31st of December 2024 will determine the division that the rider may enter. 

 

PLUS! We offer two novice classes:

1. Ladies Social
2. Lads Social

The novice classes are intended to provide an opportunity for amateur riders at all levels to enjoy the fun of a Wake NZ competition.
In the novice classes there will be a trick maximum/limit of 180s and grabs. If you can do more than this you are a legend.

All divisions will run regardless of number of riders entered.

 

Wake NZ 2020 Season & forward – Deviations from IWWF Wakeboard Boat Rules

Wake NZ has determined by committee to deviate from the IWWF Wakeboard Boat Rules in the following areas:

 

2.1.1   Safety Director

The Safety director shall be responsible for enforcement of the Tournament rules as they relate to the safety of all participants, staff and spectators. He/she shall be responsible for the oversight of the safe condition of all equipment and facilities, and the operation of the event in consultation with the Chief Judge and shall have the authority to stop competition whenever he/she feels unsafe conditions exist.  The Safety Director, along with the Chief Judge, will be responsible for the delay or calling off of the Tournament if a potentially dangerous situation exists.

 

2.1.3    Use of Safety Boat:

We won’t be using a safety boat at round comps (South Is Champs, North Is Champs, Back Paddocks), instead at these events we will be using a pickup Jetski as first responder, in the event of an injury the towboat will be used to pickup an injured rider.

 

2.1.4    Safety Boat Personnel:

In the event that we don’t use a safety boat the provision shall not apply.

 

2.1.5    Onsite medical facilities

We will ensure there is a first aid trained officer in attendance for the duration of the event.

A suitably equipped medical station will be located at the competition site.

We will provide GPS co-ordinates to venue for helicopter and ambulance pickup.

 

2.3.1    Minimum Number of Riders

We will allow all divisions to open regardless of the number of riders entered provided at least one rider has entered the respective division.

 

2.4.2    Course Dimensions

In some competitions we may utilise only one start, end and cutoff buoy subject to the nature of the location.