'It's all about creativity': Red Bull Wake the City competition comes to Milwaukee

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – More than two dozen world-class athletes will show off their skills in Lake Michigan this weekend.

A wakeboarding competition is coming to Milwaukee for its first showing in the United States.

"We're stoked to be in Milwaukee. This is like, a beautiful sight for us," said Massimiliano Piffaretti, an Italian world champion wakeboarder. "We just wanted to bring something action-packed to the water, to the city."

Red Bull's Wake the City debuts at the Summerfest grounds on Saturday, Aug. 31. It's a doubles wakeboarding competition.

"We have the best wakeboarders in the world doing their thing. So, it's going to be a fun time," Piffaretti said.

"I love to do it, I travel the world for this, and enjoy it every day," said Felix Georgii, a wakeboarder from Germany.

It's like snowboarding on water.

While attached to a cable, wakeboarders take on ramps alongside a partner.

"It's not about like, the hardest trick," Piffaretti said. "It's all about the harmony. It's all about the flow you got."

"The combination out of both, you can actually make a run way more interesting than just doing it by yourself," Gerogii explained.

Red Bull started the competition a few years ago in Milan, Italy.

This is the first time it's happening in the United States.

"I grew up from Italy, so I took an event from my hometown to the states, where actually I spend most of my time," Piffaretti explained. "It's really cool to showcase this format out here in the states."

Thirty-six wakeboarders will compete in the Lakeshore State Park inlet, with both men's and women's events.

"It's all about creativity, and this is what we love," Piffaretti said.

"Hopefully we can put on a good show," Georgii said.

Red Bull Wake the City is Saturday, Aug. 31. from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Henry Meier Festival Park.

It's free and open to the public. Gates open at 11a.m.

Click here for more information.