Right where water generates the energy for Upper Austria, sixteen of the world’s best wake boarders bring that energy back. Drawn by an electric Sesitec System 2.0, the riders from 5 continents and 15 countries conjure up jaw-dropping tricks on the Traun. Upper Austria’s energy supplier Energie AG has placed this unique location at their disposal.

Two events in 2 days will put all eyes of the wakeboard world on Gmunden. The traditional tour stop of the Corona Wakeboard Cup will be preceded for the first time by the H2O Wake Parade qualifications on Gmunden’s Esplanade. Riders then go head-to-head in a nerve-tingling KO competition where their mettle is tested to the limit in three categories – best air-trick, best performance on slider and best on kicker. Only the rider with the best overall impression will make it into the next round. That tricks he used to win the battle, don’t count in the quarter-finals. That’s why tactics and a huge number of tricks are important.

Energie AG rider Daniel Fetz and Red Bull athlete Dominik Hernler line up for Austria seeking to keep the title in the alpine republic. Fetz has dominated the local wakeboard scene for at least 10 years. It was only a few weeks ago that he once again took the national title in cable wakeboarding. European junior champ Hernler prefers to strut his stuff behind a boat rather than a cable but has no fear of the obstacle course. He will contest both Gmunden events along with his colleagues. Wakeboard fans are waiting eagerly for the debut of 13-year old prodigy Daniel Grant from Thailand. He already has three world titles in two different disciplines – wakeboarding and wakeskating. Munich Red Bull rider Dominik Gührs represents Germany. Marc Shuster was chosen to fight for the USA, Matty Hasler for Australia. Canada’s Raph Derome will compete, as well as Rocco van Stratten from the Netherlands. Style-machine Ben Hitch from Great Britain returns to Austria after a break of 8 years. The 16 riders from 5 continents bring with them no fewer than 16 European and world titles.

The 2 days of events in the Wasserkraft and Corona Wakeboard Cup kick off on Friday, August 5 with the Corona Wakeboard Cup qualifications at the Gmunden Esplanade. Shuttle buses are available Saturday from the Esplanade to the Wasserkraftwerk (a dam a few km away) where the H2O Wake Parade starts at 16:00. The same bus service is ready to transport fans back to the floodlit Corona Wakeboard Cup finals – plus the not-to-be-missed “After Contest Party”.

FREE ENTRY to both events!

The Venue

The Gmunden hydro-electric power station lies almost adjacent to the north end of the Traunsee – only 2 km downriver from where the Traunsee empties and becomes the Traun River. The picturesque walk from the power station to the Gmunden town square is a favourite for both young and old.

Key Information:

–  power station type: dam with turbines

–  constructed 1966 – 1968

–  water source: Traun River

–  complex: concrete dam with three weirs and weir sluices

–  waterfall height: 9,2 meters

–  machine facilities: 2 Kaplan turbines (power generated: 11.6000 Kw)

–  max. flow in turbines: 150.000 litres per second

–  av. annual power generated: 48.1 million Kwh – 13.800 households

For further information: www.wake-parade.at