WakeFest Tennessee once again proved why it has become one of the premier grassroots wakeboarding events in the country, drawing top professional riders, rising amateurs and thousands of spectators to Center Hill Lake for two days of non-stop action. Held July 17-18 at Pates Ford Marina in Smithville, Tennessee, the 21st annual event blended world-class riding with the laid-back atmosphere that has made WakeFest a midsummer tradition.
Competition stretched from beginner and junior divisions all the way to the sport’s elite professionals, highlighting WakeFest’s unique ability to bring newcomers and seasoned veterans together behind the same fleet of tournament towboats. The event featured more than $50,000 in prizes, including a dedicated Women’s Pro Division that continues to elevate female wakeboarding while showcasing some of the sport’s biggest names.Highlights:
- Fynn Bullock earned the $50,000 Shoutout prize
- Meagan Ethell earned $7,500 for the Women’s top podium
- Nic Rapa earned $7,500 for the Men’s top podium
Read Next: More Winning for Ethell
But WakeFest has always been about more than podium finishes. Hundreds of boats rafted together around the course as riders launched massive inverts, technical spins and crowd-pleasing doubles, creating a floating stadium unlike anything else in watersports. Live music, shoreline festivities at FishLipz, manufacturer displays and demo opportunities kept the energy high long after the final rider completed a pass.
Sponsored by Malibu Boats, TNT Watersports, AXIS Wake, Hyperlite, KICKER Marine Audio and numerous industry partners, the event reinforced its reputation as one of wakeboarding’s signature summer gatherings. Since its beginnings in 2005, WakeFest has evolved into one of the world’s largest grassroots wakeboarding tournaments while remaining true to its original mission: growing the sport by welcoming riders of every age and skill level.
For anyone who believes wakeboarding is as much about community as competition, WakeFest Tennessee 2026 delivered once again. With packed shorelines, boats filling Center Hill Lake, and riders pushing the limits from the first pass to the final trick, the event demonstrated that the future of wakeboarding remains bright—and that some of the sport’s biggest moments still happen far from the bright lights of traditional arenas.
