The annual On Edge Wakefest, which began last night was the only wakeboarding championship of its type staged south of Christchurch, organiser Kerry McHardie, of Cromwell, said.
One of the "top guns" at the event is 2008 world champion wakeboarder Jeff Weatherall, of Australia, who has also taken top honours at the New Zealand championships.
The Cromwell event started with a slider session on a 50m-long purpose-built pond in Cromwell's industrial area.
The competitors were towed from one end of the pond to the other by a winch and performed tricks on a slide, or rail.
"They get points depending on the ability level of the tricks they perform, their landing and their style," Miss McHardie said.
Today, the action shifts to Lake Dunstan, in front of Old Cromwell, with 40 people entered in the free-ride section of the competition.
"It will be a spectacular competition to watch. They go out and have three passes behind a boat. They can fall as much as they want and not lose points, but they gain points for the tricks they perform.
"Quite a few of this country's top wakeboarders will be here, as well as Jeff Weatherall, so you'll see the top wakeboarders in action," she said.
A purpose-built wakeboard tournament boat is used to tow the wakeboarders on the lake. Miss McHardie was hoping for a fine day and a calm lake.
This is the third Wakefest held in Cromwell. Competition begins today at 10am and will continue until about 5pm.
