Leesville – The 19th Annual Weekend With The Pros is set to return to Lake Murray at Captain’s Choice Marine on June 7 and 8. This exciting, family-friendly event will feature world-class wakeboarders Bec Gange and Parker Swope, offering attendees the chance to experience the thrill of wakeboarding up close.
The free event will take place on the water in front of Captain’s Choice Marine in Leesville and includes wakeboard lessons, autograph sessions with the pros, food trucks, and more. The highlight of the weekend will be the Pro Wakeboard Show on June 8 from 2 – 3 pm, where professional wakeboarders will demonstrate their best tricks for a live audience.
Spectators can enjoy the event by rafting up their boats on the lake or from land, making it one of the Southeast’s largest wakeboarding events. The show will also be broadcast live on WZMJ 93.1 The Lake.
“Twenty years ago, this event started as a group of my friends pooling our money to bring a pro wakeboarder to Lake Murray for coaching,” said Chris Farr, Event Director and founder of SC Rough Riders. “It grew to involve more riders, local businesses, and people from all over the state and beyond who have the chance to meet pro riders and watch world-class wakeboarding. Our mission has remained the same since the beginning: to introduce people to the best in lake life and to spread our love of watersports. In wakeboarding, we call it ‘passing the handle’ when you introduce someone to the sport. It has been my honor to help pass the handle to hundreds of riders over the years, and I look forward to continuing to do so again this year.”
Farr’s passion for the sport is deeply personal. He recalls receiving lessons from world champion wakeboarder Jonathon McDonald for his 13th birthday, an experience that profoundly influenced his life and athletic career. This inspiration led to the creation of Weekend With The Pros, which aims to share the transformative power of watersports with others.
Farr’s dedication to watersports has become a family affair, as he and his wife, Brynley, teach their three sons—ages ten, eight, and five—how to wakeboard. The Pro Wakeboard Show kicks off with the National Anthem, followed by local young riders performing alongside the pros. The event is designed to be family-friendly, with riders of all ages and experience levels participating in lessons.
Pro Wakeboarding Lessons with Bec Gange and Parker Swope will be available on Friday and Saturday at Captain’s Choice Marine. These lessons include coaching behind the new Malibu wake boats, equipment demos, a limited-edition event shirt, snacks, and lunch with the pros. Full-day and half-day lessons are available, but space is limited. More details and registration can be found at scroughriders.com.
The Boat Demos & Food Truck Party will take place on both days from 9 am to 6 pm at Captain’s Choice Marine, located at 3216 US-378 in Leesville. This free event will feature food trucks, boat demos with the Captain’s Choice crew, and opportunities to meet and get autographs from The SC Rough Riders and pro wakeboarders.
The Pro Wakeboard Show, the main event of the weekend, will showcase the pros performing their best tricks on Lake Murray in front of Captain’s Choice Marine on Saturday at 2 pm. Spectators can watch from their boats or from the shore. For those seeking a closer experience, front-row seats in the boats pulling the pros, including photos and autographs between sets, can be purchased at scroughriders.com.
Come out to Lake Murray for an unforgettable weekend of wakeboarding and family fun!
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