Wakeboarding Flips Into Fort Worth

Pro Tour enjoys North Texas stop

Fans of wakeboarding will flock to see the Pro Wakeboarding Tour at Texas Mastercraft's cable wake park along Interstate 820 in northeast Fort Worth this weekend.

Several people were out watching on the first day of competition on Thursday.

Wakeboarder Aaron Mares knows a thing or two about the sport, as he rides at Lake Lewisville a few times a week, but he admits he's nowhere close to the pros.

"Watching these guys to where I'm at is a world of difference, these guys are professionals at what they do, they're amazing," said Mares.

Among those taking part in the amazing acrobatics this week is Arlington's Joey Bradley.

"I ride out here at least a couple times a week," said Bradley, who considers the lake his home court advantage.

Fort Worth is considered one of the best stops on the pro tour, which Bradley has spent the last few years riding.

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"It has a really good south wind block, the wind is always out of the south, so the conditions are always smooth out here," said Bradley.

"The conditions (here) we always know we can push our ride to the limit here," said Josh Palma.

And when the finals cruise in on Saturday, so do the large crowds, which Bradley said brings out the best in the riders.

"When the crowd is into it, everybody is feeling confident, that's when you'll see the most stuff go down," said Bradley. "Everybody is super stoked on everything that's going on, there's a big crowd, everybody is excited that's where it happens."

And of course another big draw is being near the water.

"On hot days like this there's nothing better than being next to the water, if I can't have the ocean, give me a lake," said Mares.

And the next few days the lake will be giving fans plenty to talk about.

"These guys just do it so effortlessly you know?" said Mares.

Deets:

Friday's preliminary round is free to the public and runs 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Saturday's finals run from 10:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. but you must pay admission to get in.

Online: wakeboarder.com

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