Waterskiing- 05 Sep 2011 The rapid growth of Cable Wakeboard was clear for all to see at the weekend at the 13th European Cable Wakeboard Championships. An estimated six new Cable Parks are opening each month at the moment and 51 countries already have the facilities in place. At a time when environmental issues are headlined almost daily, this sport offers much to city authorities around the world today. The venue chosen by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) for the 2011 European Cable Wakeboard Championships was the picturesque AQUA SKI Cable Park located right in the centre of Belgrade, Serbia’s capital city. With hot 32C sunshine and perfect calm water, the surrounding lakeside beaches were packed with enthusiastic spectators all weekend. Following...

  The recent World Congress of the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) held in Dubna, Russia, was attended by representatives from the Confederations of Europe/Africa, Pan America and Asia/Australasia/Oceana.  The President, Kuno Ritschard, informed the delegates of the July 14th announcement of the IOC to include the sport of Wakeboard in the short list of sports to be considered for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games. With a limit of 28 sports in the Games, the final decision on which new sport will be included will be made at the 125th IOC session in Buenos Aires in 2013. The IWWF Delegates attending the Congress in Russia fully supported the possible inclusion of Wakeboard in the 2020 Games. An international task force was immediately established to drive the...

Launched in 1989 by the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), the biennial Hall of Fame Ceremony took place at the impressive Culture Centre Theatre in Dubna, Russia, during the 2011 World Waterski Championships. This year, five major international contributors to the sport were inducted following the voting process carried out by the Selection Committee which represented all three IWWF Confederations. Their ten members came from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and USA. On this occasion, two of the inductees were athletes and three officials. The elegant Culture Centre Theatre in Dubna set a perfect backdrop for this important occasion. The red carpet inductees and guests arrival in the marble entrance hall gave all...

As the hot 31C sun sank over the flat calm Volga River in Dubna, Russia, some hours ago and the MasterCraft boats were moored for the night, many of the 37 competing countries agreed that this was one of the most outstanding IWWF World Waterski Championships in living memory. It had everything. The extensive hospitality of the hosts, enthusiastic volunteers, action filled week-long programme of ceremonies and entertainment, packed Nekhaevskiy Watersports Stadium, extensive live TV and Webcast coverage, and most of all, the extraordinary level of competition. The results were special. In all nine sets of podium presentations, for those who made it through to receiving World Championships medals, each had a unique reason for success. The thousands of cheering Dubna spectators at the elaborate...

The host city of Dubna in Russia has every reason to feel very proud today.  The response of the contestants and supporters from 37 countries to their outstanding efforts over the past six years to prepare for this week’s 2011 World Waterski Championships has been very warm indeed. Even the weather has been perfect ! The combination of an outstanding Opening Ceremony on the Volga River, a very well organised International Hall of Fame Ceremony at the Cultural Centre, the well attended IWWF World Congress at the International Conference Hall and the superb facilities at the Watersports Stadium, have combined to make this one of the best World Waterski Championships of the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) to date. Mayor Valery Prokh and his team have set a very high...

  If getting off to a good start is a sign of great things ahead, last night’s World Championships Opening Ceremony was easily the most impressive ever staged by a host. As the sun set over the flat calm Volga River Watersports  Stadium in Dubna, Russia, the capacity audience of over 25,000 who had all paid handsome prices for their seats, were treated to a very special occasion.  The enormous river-side floating stage with digital backdrops, full theatre lighting and sound systems, was placed right beside the Slalom Course – and all awaited the 22.00hrs opening curtain to rise ! Against a backdrop of a comfortable 24C / 78Fh evening sunset, the flags and athletes of 37 Countries were introduced to the audience. This was followed by the speeches of Kuno Ritschard IWWF President,...

Every two years, countries around the world select their very best Waterski athletes to compete for the titles of World Champion in their respective disciplines. With over 30 million active participants in the sport, all eyes will be on these 2011 World Championships taking place on July 17/24 in Russia. This weekend will see athletes, IWWF officials and supporters arriving at Moscow’s Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo Airports for transfer to the City of Dubna on the picturesque Volga River. Dubna, Russia’s watersports capital and renowned for its international academic facilities and research centres, is steeped in Waterski history. Local Russian athlete, Natalia Rumyantseva, set five World Tricks Records dating back to 1979. The City also has the unique distinction of having hosted six...

The International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation  (IWWF)  is delighted to confirm the details of the  largest Wakeboard World Championships ever staged. The venue will be the impressive man-made lake at Idroscalo on the outskirts of Milan, Italy. The competition will take place from July 13th to 17th. With 253 athletes from 36 IWWF-affiliated  Federations taking part, their ages will range from Under 9 through to Regional, World Games and former World Champions in Open Men and Women. This year, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico and Latvia will take part for the first time. Will the hot favorites Australia again win the Overall Team Title ?  They have secured five of the past eight world championship victories and this year will include one of the world’s best riders, Harley Clifford. Regarded...

Following the celebrations of the 30th Stop of the Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup in Chuncheon City in South Korea some months ago, the 2011 season will continue to add new exotic locations to this highly successful series. This 2011 programme will include Wakeboard, Waterski Slalom, Shortboard and Jump. The spectacular Stars of Florida Show Team will also be involved. One of the most exciting World Cup Stops this year will be in Kuching City in Malaysia’s State of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. This is a short flight from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The competition will take place downtown on the City waterfront at the one kilometer long landscaped esplanade. Voted some time ago as one of the most livable cities in Asia, Kuching will play host to this major international event...

  On The City of Chuncheon in north east South Korea has reason to feel proud today. As the hosts of the 1st World Leisure Games with 12,600 athletes and 42 Disciplines from 50 countries involved, the first major international Final was completed yesterday in style. Organised by the Korea Waterski & Wakeboard Association (KWWA) and the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), this 30th Stop of the IWWF World Cup series attracted the highest ranked athletes from 14 countries and a large spectator gallery. This 30th World Cup Stop took place on the magnificent lake in the centre of the official 1st World Leisure Games Village, putting it within easy reach of the visitors from 50 countries and Chuncheon residents. It was attended throughout by Mr Een-Nam Son,...