August 30, 2006, Burlington, VT- Lake Champlain Board Riders (LCBR) is proud to announce the third-annual Vermont Wakeboard and Wakeskate Open will take place on September 9 and 10, 2006, from 10 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. at North Beach Park in Burlington, Vermont. Sanctioned by the World Wakeboard Association, event qualifiers will be held on Saturday and finals will commence on Sunday.
“We’re really excited to bring another event to the shores of Vermont,” stated Alexi Santorineos, President of LCBR. “We created this event to showcase the local and regional talent and every year since we’ve witnessed breakout performances by new riders.”
The 2006 Open will be the third competition of its kind to be held in Vermont and organizers hope to build upon the success of past year’s events. More than 6,000 spectators watched 50 competitors from the shores of North Beach throughout the weekend in 2005, and the inaugural event in 2004 drew a talented field of 33 riders and an audience of 4,500.
Hosted by LCBR, and supported by many local and regional sponsors, the event is open to riders of all age and skill levels. Registration is offered through LCBR.com and local businesses such as Just Sports in Mallet’s Bay, Vermont, and Castaway Marina in Lake George, New York. From as far south as New Jersey, athletes travel to the Open for an opportunity to compete against the region’s top riders and a chance to bring home the title.
At the event, competitors are separated into multiple skill divisions and compete in numerous heats. Each rider gets a four-minute window to impress judges affiliated with the World Wakeboard Association; judging for style, amplitude and difficulty.
“Everyone was riding really well last year so I knew I needed to keep good momentum through the semis and the finals,” says Ryan King, a top finisher from last year’s event who has since competed on the amateur level and plans to ride professionally in the upcoming season. He also received support from Hyperlite and other companies within the past year.
Event sponsors include Sugarbush Resort, Red Bull, MasterCraft Boats, Gravis Footwear, CWB Wakeboards, Castaway Marina, New England Wake School, Jet Pilot, Fusion Wake Accessories, and Himaya.
About Lake Champlain Board Riders
Founded with intentions of drawing together a community of wakeboarders and wakeskaters based in Vermont, LCBR has remained the regions primary wakesport resource. After one year of organization, members co-operatively developed the Vermont Wakeboard and Wakeskate Open. While offering a platform for riders to group together, the organization also supports numerous charitable groups with ties to Lake Champlain. For more information about the Board Riders, visit LCBR.com.
