I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet.
I saw that riders will now have to qualify to be called a pro rider.
Quote:
All-New Malibu Boats WWA Pro CardInnovative new system elevates wakeboarding to a completely new level.
Lake Alfred, FL – There are two things that are certain in wakeboarding: evolution and that the World Wakeboard Association will be driving it. Raising the bar it set over 20 years ago with the sport’s first competitive rules, the WWA announces the Malibu Boats WWA Pro Card. Designed to clearly define the sport’s professional riders from their amateur counterparts, the innovative program includes qualifying and ranking criteria to establish a higher level of competition.
Before the development of the WWA Pro Card concept, professional qualifying guidelines were vague, at best; it was up to the individual rider to choose “pro” or “amateur” status in any competition. While this was clearly a benefit to the Amateur to compete in a Pro event, it also allowed riders with less advanced skills to compete against the world elite in the same contest, diluting the talent pool; there simply was no clear distinction. The all-new WWA Pro Card, renewed annually based on WWA World Rankings… Click here to read more about the Malibu Boats Pro Card and the WWA World Rankings!!!
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http://www.wakeworld.com/news/latest...-pro-card.html
http://www.thewwa.com/2013/02/08/wor...-wwa-pro-card/
It will be interesting to see how this goes this year.