Riders Wow Crowd at Wakeoff

The forecast was grim, but the nearly 80 riders who participated in the weekend's Garden State Wakeoff weren't held back from thrilling the crowd at Hopatcong State Park with jumps and tricks. "We could go for some better weather, but everyone's spirits are high and they're riding hard," said event organizer Ryan Sorensen of Lake Hopatcong Marine, who hosted the event for the second year. The wakeoff—in which riders competed both on an individual basis and representing North Jersey and South Jersey—was open to all ages and ability levels, and ran through the day on Saturday and Sunday.  Proceeds went toward the Lake Hopatcong Commission. Sorensen said the event drew many local riders from the lake, but also riders from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pittsburgh, Penn. Riders on Saturday participated in the qualifying round, which allowed the top five from each division more on to the finals on Sunday.  "The weather was far from ideal both days with wind on Saturday and rain on Sunday," said Sorensen, who himself finished in third in the most-advanced "Outlaw" division. "But enthusiasm was still up among the spectators and competitors.  We lucked out and had smooth water the outlaw division which allowed for a very competitive final among myself and four other riders.  Many difficult tricks were performed among the outlaw riders such as a 540, front mobe, raley, krypt, tootsie roll, tantrum to fakie, and even a dum dum!" At the end of the weekend, the North was crowned champions—repeating its 2008 victory—and have ownership of the championship belt until next year. Results posted below. For more information, go to wakeoff.com.