Wakeboarders take over Lake Forest

JEFFERSON – The sun was shinning. The temperature hovered just above 80. The wind was calm. A perfect day on Lake Hopatcong for more than 50 riders and hundreds of spectators at the seventh annual Jersey Wakeoff at Lake Forest, Saturday, August 2.
“I don’t think I could be much happier,” said event coordinator Aaron Piemontesi who stepped into the roll after long-time event organizer Ryan Sorensen moved out of state. Sorensen’s family-owned marina, Lake Hopatcong Marine, again played a major roll in the wakeboard competition, partnering with Piemontesi for this year’s event.
Competition began early in the morning with the Kids Division, with the youngest competitor, six-year-old Ethan Barnette from Lake Hopatcong, wowing the crowd with a wave and a smile as he glided past the beach.
The competition was divided into seven divisions. The Advanced Division was the most crowed with 17 entrants, including Shaina Kassaleh, a 19-year-old who competes throughout the northeast and Florida. This is the first time at the Jersey Wakeoff a female has competed in any division other than the Girls Division or the Kids Division. Kassaleh finished in the 12 spot. Her brother Kyle placed third in the same division.