A group of the world’s finest wakeboarders made a splash at newly-opened Salford Wake Park on Tuesday, ahead of this weekend’s Red Bull Harbour Reach.
On a sun-soaked evening, members of the public brushed shoulders with some the sport’s elite athletes as part of four-stop UK tour ‘The Road to Harbour Reach’.
Beginner riders had the chance to ‘jam’ with the pros who were grabbing some last-minute training before they head to Harbour Reach in Liverpool.
This year’s event will host two amateur wild-card entries, and defending champion Dominik Hernler believes inner city wake parks are key to developing emerging talent.
SPECTACULAR: Wakeboarding in Salford
“It’s great that young talent are being offered the chance to step up and compete alongside the professionals,” he said.
“Thanks to the introduction of parks like Salford, hopefully we can inspire up and coming riders to take part in years to come.”
Taking their cues from surfing and waterskiing, wakeboarders are towed by a fixed cable or motorboat enabling them to skim along the water performing jumps and stunts.
Salford Wake Park, opened in May, offers the chance for both beginners and experts alike to enjoy one of the fastest growing water sports.
Mark Chew, Head of Sport and Leisure at Salford Community Leisure, said: “This is a fantastic development for Salford.
“Salford Wake Park is unique as is the first cable wake park of its kind to be built in the Manchester area.
“Not only will it be a great asset for the people of Salford and Manchester, but it will also attract many wakeboarders and adventure sport enthusiasts to visit the area on a regular basis from across the North West region.”
Red Bull Harbour Reach 2013 takes place at Albert Dock, Liverpool on Saturday 8th June from 2pm.
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