Jumping Divisions???n

Just curious as to how this can be done? Let's say a person rode in a nationals in August in Ohio in Pro and won that division. Then they go to a world cup stop & finish 2nd & win $3500 for their placing. Then how can they go to IWSF and ride an amatuer 14 & under division? I was just wondering how this can be done?

Been arguing that same topic for years with IWSF, WWA, USA, never a good outcome, and they get a bit snippy for even questioning them!! Once you compete Pro..then you're Pro? They say No, it all depends on $$ earned, what it's used for..training, expenses, etc...

What about INT nationals, if you compete in the pro division and win money are you suggesting that person competes on the 08 Pro tour as as a Pro?

Does anyone know the earning/profit limits pertaining to Wakeboarding? The line between Amateur/ Pro has definately broadened in other Sports as well.

Headhunter, good question. I wonder if would be state specific. Anyone know?

I thought INT didn't give reward money. Is it just Pro's that podium that get paid? If so why don't they post the amount of each reward?

is it state specific or is it organizing body specific ie wwa usa iwsf?

It says in INT Rules, that Pro's get a 75% payback at State events? I'm sure the purse is strong at Nationals, why would so many "Pro's" be going? Back to question...If you compete, can you flip-flop Divisions? Looks like it.

hh99 I don't think int payout is that great. I think they are only taking top 12 scores and entry fee is $250 so its not all that big. I think I'm right on this maybe not

$500: Plane Ticket (2 weeks notice)
$200: Rent Car (eco-class)
$350: Sleezy motel out of town (not host hotel$$$)
$220: Entry Fee (higher than Pro-tour)
$45 : League Dues
$50 : Banquet (Pros have to attend)
$100: Food
$Your eternal wakeboarding Soul: Competing in a trick-ski format

Approx: $1,500: Top Prize For Men's "Pro"

I qualified last year and could not justify going.

I do have a blast judging and working with the kids on a local level and will continue to help as much as I can as long as INT is in Texas.

(Message edited by justinh on October 09, 2007)

As far as I can tell there are no rules for pro vs amature in Wakeboarding. Individuals who ride on the pro tour can go to local events and ride against amatures. Any amature can pay the money and go to the pro tour qualifier events and participate then go to the WWA events and ride in the amature divisions.

Gene - INT created a "pro" division in 2006. They take top 12 qualifiers from across the country based on points scored (less style points) from 1 run.

Justin, 'Aprox $1,500 top prize in Pro" That is incorrect,

Last years pay out for pro men,
1st $2,500
2nd $1,500
3rd $800

My understanding this years pay out will be even more.

so is there a prize amount that you loose your am status. I thought I heard more than $600 in a year you loose am status for a year. as hh99 said you can designate $ towards training to preserve am status. randy anyone is this correct?
yes ? the powers that be & you are definately casted as a trouble maker especially usa

Randy, thank you for clarifying. I was told differently.

Break-even is second place not first.

Justin, I hear what your saying and your right it's not cheap, but break even is not the same for all the riders, entry fee's & travel cost, hotel etc. are often picked up by sponsers, at least you have a chance to recoup some of your money at the INT, 2nd place Jr. men's at worlds pays zero and we still have about the same cost.

So just because you win your local tournament does not mean you get an automatic invite?

If you are not considered amateur anymore if you have made over $600 then I am a pro! I made $700 for winning the advanced at the Dallas Wakeboarding tourney!

INT rules for Pro at the local tournaments is pay your fees, declare yourself pro, most points win. You must score 13000 points before style points to be considered for invite to Nationals. They invite the top 12 scoring riders from across the nation. If you ride in Outlaw you cannot be "bumped" into pro division, you must declare yourself pro.

Numerous grassroots pay top division winners more than $600. The winners are not considered "pros". Some sports have limits. Wakeboarding isn't that organized. There isn't enough prize money for even the top 10 riders to make a living on prize money alone. They only make a living from endorcements or other jobs.

I checked with the WWA earlier this year on this and was told if you win more $3000 cash combined in WWA sanctioned events during a calendar year then you are "pro" for WWA events that year.

I checked with the WWA earlier this year on this and was told if you win more than $3000 cash combined in WWA sanctioned events during a calendar year then you are "pro" for WWA events that year.

Riding Pro in wakeboarding or in snowboarding depends on what series or sanctioning body you are involved with.For instance, Wake Games is separate from the Pro Tour so you can ride pro at Wake Games and still be amateur for the Tour. For Jr. Mens, these two events have different age groups so many riders ride Pro at Wake Games but then ride the Jr. Mens series. WWA Nationals and Worlds are then grouped together for status.

USA Wakeboard's Nationals is not grouped together with any other event so it does not carry over to anything else except for maybe Masters. Since the World Cup and IWSF Worlds are not strictly connected it seems you can ride in two different divisions for these events.

Even though different events may have the same sanctioning body they still have separate rules and thus allow for jumping divisions. I agree that this does not seem right but until specific rules are written this is the way it is. If we want clarification and consistency then we need to request that the WWA makes all the events they sanction equal and that USA Wakeboard and IWSF become consistent with each other.

I know that in snowboarding you are considered Pro if your earnings exceed your training costs. I think for most of us we are a long way from attaining Pro status according to this criteria.

Hey Randy, doent Jr Mens pay out 500.00 for 1st place on the tour? So if you win four tour stops and a couple of local wwa events that could be over 3000.00. and maybe a couple wwa rail jam events. That means alot of Jr men should be pro..
I just like the fact they can go to some of these local event's and recop some of the money their parent's have spent over the years.

(Message edited by wakeparent on October 10, 2007)

(Message edited by wakeparent on October 10, 2007)

I have a solution!!! Forget about competing for money and do it because you love the sport. Competitions are for people looking for recognition and want attention. I personally ride because I enjoy the sport and hanging out with friends and I SPEND A LOT OF MONEY DOING IT. But hey thats just my opinion. You guys are probably right, I should make a bunch of money for doing something I should be enjoying instead...

so is someone listing everything they own on his profile...

No I am compensating for an extremly small package if you know what I mean. What exactly is it that you do in sales in Avondale?

On on a side note, I am a car guy. It is what I am interested in and always have been. I am always curious what people drive and have in their garages, so I listed mine. Its not a matter of trying to be better than anyone. But thanks for your interest!!

(Message edited by nasty530 on October 10, 2007)

there is always one T-bagger that takes a post the wrong way. nobody said anythng about making a living at this sport. it was a post of how someone can win $3500 in pro, qualify for worlds in pro, get an invite to world cup & masters 08 for pro then be selected to the usa world team as an amatuer in a 14 & under div. which I still don't understand. I guess when u have an orginazation run by a click of friends you make up whatever rules you want.

The IWSF seem to make it up as they go along. They had four girls 16 and under (none of them pros)at the last world cup stop in Singapore. Most of them usual suspects who come last or second to last. I am }still waiting for the powers that be there to explain their selection criteria.They seem to be running some sort of worldwide wakeboarding club where you either have to know somebody or be very rich to get in.

Good one Gordie . Your correct, Jr. men's 1st place pays $500 (PWT only) Plus don't forget the guitar, AJ won enough of them last year to start his own rock band.

Gordie..was your profile pic taken in TX?

Randy, sorry Alex couldn't make it to Int. How's is he feeling? Ryan said he could eat enough crawdads for you both. Gordie, nice to hear from you again, call me sometime.......

Damn Doug that hurts, I was sooo looking forward to some good Cajun food and showing Ryan & Alex around the French Quarter He's feeling a little better, pretty bummed his season has ended and missing out on the INT championships and Tige Open. When you talk to Ryan tell him we said what up and bring home the cash...

Hey Randy, sorry to hear about Alex, Tell him Larry said quit kissen so many girls.
Matt, yes it was last year during worlds he went out with some friends.
Doug, tell Ryan good luck.

Thanks gordie..it looked awful familiar