Meanwhile, a fixture on the European Wakeboard scene and the first major international competition of the year.

The Easter weekend once again guaranteed a lot of spectacle.

Lots of wind on Sunday for the finals, but that was not to spoil the fun. The sun was out and the spectators and supporters also drew crowds. Especially for them, beautiful stands had been set up on the brand-new terrace , realised by AGSO Knokke-Heist.

The rather strong wind meant an extra challenge, but it also means that wakeboarding is a sport that can be practised in all weathers.

9 different nationalities, 60 riders, with surely some absentees from the corner where the blows are currently falling. No or fewer planes and uncertainty will certainly have played a role, as well as local opportunities to prepare properly on home cable....

The home team on the other hand...Lakeside Paradise made the cable available on Wednesday afternoons all winter especially for this match and it paid off.

Vic Droogmans as a 14-year-old! managed to take victory in the juniors, Nanou Lenaers & Glenn Vandenberghe (current European and world champions) each win their category, Axel Tack gets a nice 3^e in the masters and Pauline Appelmans and Michel Reubens both finished nicely 5 in their category open women and masters men respectively.

The 4-minute report on Sporza during sports weekend gave a nice picture of how motivated the wakeboarders are as they look forward not only to possibly participating in the Olympic Games but also very much to the end of September when Lakeside Paradise will host the “Open European & African Championships”.