Minnesota has been at the forefront of the wake surfing world for years -- from testing out some of the first surf boards made specifically for surfing behind a boat, to hosting the World Wakes Surf Championship in 2010. In 2011, the 10,000 Lakes Open was born and was an immediate success. For the last three years, the 10,000 Lakes Open weekend has been a blacked out date on many rider's calendars. In early 2013, the 10,000 Lakes Open sold out all rider spots in under two days -- beating all known records for any wake surfing event. Minnesota's newest event, the first annual Minnesota Wakesurf Championship held on Lake Minnetonka recently sold out all of its spots in 49 minutes. The organizers of this event describe it as what is expected to be a cross between Bro Stock and a normal wake surfing event - riders throwing down on arguably the baddest lake in the U.S., lots of boats watching the riders from the water, a bonus "Surfgate Transfer Zone" at the end of the course, and many on-beach activities to keep everyone busy! This again proves that Minnesotans love their wake surfing and, Minnesota wake surfers are defiantly looking forward to the ice melting so they can get on their surfboards!"
Rider: Chad McShane Photo: Russell Heeter