Spiked

WAKESTOCK Abu Dhabi 2010

Wakestock has long been a part of the furniture when it comes to UK Wakeboarding, in fact celebrating 10 years of its existence in 2009 last year’s event was undoubtedly the best of Europe’s biggest Wakeboard and Music festival to date.

There is no doubt that from the humble beginnings of 500 or so locals and those of a wakeboarding persuasion getting crazy on the headland car park of Abersoch Main Beach all those years ago, the festival/music side of things has come a long way. With the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Judge Jules, Pendulum, Calvin Harris, N.E.R.D, Feeder and many more topping the bill over the years Wakestock sits as the premiere festival of its kind the world over.

The wakeboarding has more than kept pace seeing thousands line the promenade of Pwllheli Marina for the worlds best to throw down behind boat and on the monster obstacles causing carnage every year. In 2010 the anti is being upped to stratospheric heights with our hedonistic wakeboarding get-together making up the third stop on the WWA Wake World Series. This will mean every single one of the top 16 riders in the world will be in town to claim the massively increased prize money as well as those all important series ranking points.

As if putting together an event of this magnitude wasn’t enough, the Wakestock team are taking this weekend of weekend’s and staging the whole thing in the Middle East as the first stop of the WWA Wake World Series. The vibrant and stunning city of Abu Dhabi in the UAE has seen something special in the Wakestock concept and want a piece of the action, so much so that the Municipality of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Beaches and the biggest local events company, Flash Entertaining, have fronted the biggest cash purse of any Wake contest in 2010. The worlds best will be kicking off the season’s title race with sights on a chunk of the $50 000 prize fund. The top 16 men from the 2009 standings list will ride alongside local Amateurs having made it through the qualifying rounds leading up to the big weekend in true Wakestock style. Abu Dhabi will also play host to one of the few Pro Ladies contests showcasing a truly progressive outlook on participation in sport, encouraging everyone and anyone to make full use of the spectacular setting for watersports that Abu Dhabi has to offer.

Having just come back off a press trip to Abu Dhabi promoting the upcoming event, newly appointed Marketing and PR manager for Wakestock, Matt Crowhurst, can not wait to get back out there.

“The buzz that filters through the UK scene in the weeks leading up to Wakestock UK has, in one visionary move, spread across the world and all that we have created with the event in the UK over the past decade will now be enjoyed by a entirely different community, encouraging the growth of wakeboarding in Abu Dhabi and the entire Middle East. It’s a great thing to be a part of, as a rider, behind the scenes and just to witness the spectacle that it will undoubtedly be!”

Spiked will be there to get all the action snapped, filmed and reported on for upcoming issues! The event is free so if you fancy some early summer sun then get on to www.wakestock.ae for all the details. Wakestock Abu Dhabi is on the 4th to 6th March!