Author: Philippe

19 Oct

2026 IWWF World Wakesurf Championships

Team USA Successfully Defends Team Overall Title at 2026 IWWF World Wakesurf Championships

HANGZHOU, China — October 18, 2026 — Team USA has successfully defended its Team Overall title at the 2026 IWWF World Wakesurf Championships, held at Xiang Lake in Hangzhou’s Xiaoshan District. The victory marks back-to-back team titles for the United States, which first claimed the honour at the inaugural IWWF World Wakesurf Championships in Hong Kong in 2024. Held from October 9–17, the Championships brought together more than 120 athletes from 20 countries to compete for individual world titles and national team honours. In the Open Men’s and Women’s Surf and Skim divisions, athletes also competed for a share of a US$30,000 prize purse. The event’s official towboat, the Malibu LSV23, provided world-class conditions throughout the competition. After nine days of action, the United States topped the Team Overall standings with eight of the 18 world titles and 15 medals. Chinese Taipei finished second with three titles and nine medals, followed by Korea, also with nine medals and one world title.

Team Overall Results

United States of America Chinese Taipei Korea Team USA’s second consecutive title underlines the country’s strength in a sport whose international reach continues to grow.

Open Divisions

Open Women Surf

Brynnlee Hall (USA) Xia Chenxi (China) Park Jeongeun (Korea)

Open Men Surf

Tyler Stewart (USA) — Defending champion Jeong Suho (Korea) Lam Wai Kit (Hong Kong, China)

Open Women Skim

Whitley Stewart (USA) — Defending champion Sofia Sokolova (Ukraine) Annissa Flynn (Thailand)

Open Men Skim

Jett Lambert (USA) Tyler Stewart (USA) Olivier Scokaert (France)

Junior Divisions

Junior Women Surf

Yang Yi-Nin (Chinese Taipei) Jeon Yeolyeong (Korea) Mariia Blanket (IWWF)

Junior Men Surf

Matvei Savichev (IWWF) Sawyer Brandstad (USA) Cha Gon (Korea)

Junior Women Skim

Victoria Moroski Simpson (USA) Gemma Kaitlyn Wong (Hong Kong, China) Antonyna Mikhnevych (Ukraine)

Junior Men Skim

Matvei Savichev (IWWF) Tucker Reed Cole (USA) Bang Chan Yeong (Korea)

Grom Divisions

Grom Girls Surf

Beau Walters (USA) Abygaelle Perren (Switzerland) Laetitia Pinna (Italy)

Grom Boys Surf

Kuo Yu-Si (Chinese Taipei) Andrei Solovev (IWWF) Lin Hao Ze (Chinese Taipei)

Grom Girls Skim

Abygaelle Perren (Switzerland) Clair Hurta (USA) Emma Proudfit (USA)

Grom Boys Skim

Declyn Van Der Riet (USA) Andrei Solovev (IWWF) Quinnton Tze Hin Wong (Hong Kong, China)

Masters Divisions

Masters athletes delivered standout performances throughout the week, showcasing the depth of talent and experience across the sport. Several former champions once again proved their world-class ability on the international stage.

Master Women Surf

Lin Szu Hsuan (Chinese Taipei) Rahel Seger (Switzerland) Alessandra Zanicotti (Italy)

Master Men Surf

Kim Sang Hyun (Korea) Michael Steinlesberger (Austria) Kang Jinhyeop (Korea)

Master Women Skim

Rahel Seger (Switzerland) Tatiana Ryzhak (IWWF) Alessandra Zanicotti (Italy)

Master Men Skim

Sean Silveira (United States of America) Gianmarco Panaccione (Italy) Matthew Lucini (Italy)

Veteran Divisions

Veteran competitors brought skill and consistency to the water, demonstrating that high-level wakesurfing continues across generations.

Veteran 1 Men Surf

Keith Pohl (United States of America) Lee Sunghee (Korea) Lin Hao-Ting (Chinese Taipei)

Veteran 1 Women Skim

Amelie Zhang (United Arab Emirates) Nicole Hudson (United States of America) Nina Ryzhenkova (Spain)

Veteran 1 Men Skim

Volodymyr Chuba (Ukraine) Eric Gamboa Ordonez (Philippines) Martin Vlcek (Czech Republic)

A Growing Global Stage

Athletes representing 20 nations, across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, highlighted the sport’s growing international reach. In total, medals were earned by athletes from 16 different federations across the Wake Surf and Wake Skim disciplines. The Championships also showcased Chinese Taipei’s growing strength, particularly in the Junior and Masters divisions. Among the event’s standout performers were Tyler Stewart (USA), defending Open Men’s Surf champion; Whitley Stewart (USA), defending Open Women’s Skim champion; Jett Lambert (USA), reigning World Games champion; and Matvei Savichev (IWWF), the only athlete to claim two gold medals. From the Open divisions to the Grom, Junior, Masters and Veteran categories, the competition reflected the depth and breadth of wakesurfing talent around the world—and the sport’s continued momentum on the international stage. Full results and photos: https://iwwf.sport/world-title-events/wakesurfworlds2026/ Editor’s note: The source release states that 18 world titles were awarded, but the results supplied here list 15 divisions. It may be worth confirming whether three categories are missing before publication.

LIVESTREAM IS HERE

30 Sep

MANIACAL | feat. Daniel Grant

DANIEL GRANT: THE MANIAC OF GOOD TIMES

Maniacal is the story of some riders chase titles. Daniel Grant chases the feeling of riding sideways across waterways around the world — and he's been doing it most of his life.

A legendary wakeboarder and wakeskater, Dan has spent decades pushing the limits of what's possible on the water. Along the way, he's racked up countless contest wins and awards, blown even more countless minds, and had a ton of fun doing it. That last part might be the most important.

We lovingly consider Dan one of the maniacs of our LF'n team. His high energy, infectious enthusiasm, and penchant for good times have been evident since he was a grom — and they haven't faded one bit.

This season, Dan spent a lot of time filming with one of our other team maniacs, Matty Muncey, and the result is exactly what you'd expect: mind blowing.

Filming: Matty Muncey & Luke Carrick Photography: Detty Niemeyer

For those interested in watching the full video, it is available on YouTube:

MANIACAL Feat Daniel Grant

This latest project is a perfect snapshot of where Dan is right now: still progressing, still having a blast, and still surrounded by the right people. Teaming up with Matty Muncey behind the lens brought out the best in both of them, and the footage speaks for itself. With Luke Carrick also capturing the action and Detty Niemeyer documenting it all through photography, the crew delivered something that captures the raw, chaotic, joyful essence of what riding is really about. On the words of Daniel :

"Because for me, it's never just been about winning — it's about the ride, the crew, and the memories made along the way."
"Decades in, and i still proving that the best riders never stop evolving — or smiling."
"Stay tuned. If history tells us anything, i just getting started."

10 Aug

2026 IWWF WORLD CABLE WAKEBOARD & WAKESKATE C...

IT'S GO TIME: THE 2026 IWWF WORLD CABLE WAKEBOARD & WAKESKATE CHAMPS ARE LIVE IN BEIJING

Shunyi, Beijing – Alright, strap in, because the biggest cable event on the planet just dropped the gate. The 2026 IWWF World Cable Wakeboard & Wakeskate Championships are officially underway at the legendary Shunyi Olympic Cable Park, and day one did NOT disappoint. The world's hardest-charging cable riders hit the water and immediately set the tone: this week is going to be absolutely unhinged.

We're talking 170+ riders. 30 countries. Wakeboard, wakeskate, AND seated divisions all stacked with absolute savages gunning for that world title. Sanctioned by the IWWF, this is the one event where the global cable family converges to see who's truly been putting in the work all year. And trust us – the level on display from the very first heats? Insane.

Competition runs August 10th through the 15th, with quals shredding through the week before finals go down Friday and Saturday. Individual titles, team titles, bragging rights for the next two years – it's all on the line.

And can we talk about this venue for a sec? Shunyi Olympic Cable Park is the spot. Beijing hosted IWWF World Cup events back in '13 and '14, and seeing elite-level cable come roaring back here hits different. China keeps showing up for this sport in a massive way – from building out the infrastructure to backing cable wake's inclusion in The World Games 2025. The growth is real, and it's beautiful to witness.

Whether you're trackside or refreshing your feed from the other side of the world, you do NOT want to miss this one. Live streams, results, photo galleries, all the event news – everything's running through the official IWWF World Championships site. Pull up. Watch your favourite riders go to war. Lose your voice screaming at a screen.

This is cable wake at its absolute peak. Let's go.

Stay locked in all week. We'll be covering the madness.

LIVESTREAM IS HERE

03 Aug

2026 IWWF World Wakeboard Championships

2026 IWWF World Wakeboard Championships Kick Off Today In Italy

2026 IWWF World Wakeboard Championships: The world’s elite wakeboarders are converging on the crystal-clear waters of Lago del Salto as the opening heats officially kick off one of the most highly anticipated IWWF events of the calendar year. Competitors from around the globe will be vying for coveted world titles across a wide range of age divisions. Adding to the excitement, a substantial USD 50,000 prize purse will be awarded in the Open Men’s and Open Women’s categories, underscoring the IWWF’s ongoing dedication to nurturing elite talent and rewarding peak athletic performance.

Set against the breathtaking scenery of Lago del Salto, the stunning natural landscape serves as the perfect arena for these world-class athletes to showcase their skills in front of an international audience of fans, officials, and supporters.

Based in Rieti, the IWWF is thrilled to welcome all athletes, team staff, sponsors, and spectators to this spectacular championship. The event not only unites the international wakeboarding community but also shines a spotlight on the sport's ongoing expansion and global appeal.

A major highlight of the 2026 championships is the backing of Malibu Boats. The Malibu M230 has been named the Official Towboat for the event. Celebrated for its cutting-edge technology, precision handling, and industry-leading wake shaping, the M230 will ensure flawless and consistent water conditions for the athletes throughout the entire week of competition.

Fans who cannot make it to Italy can catch all the action, as the tournament will be live-streamed across all six days of the championship.

Stay up to date with live results, event news, and all the latest information by visiting: https://iwwf.sport/world-title-events/2026wakeboardworlds/