SIGN-UP HERE FOR WAKESTOCK E-NEWSLETTER
Get the latest news on pro riders, bands, schedules, special events and more as it breaks.
PRIVACY POLICY
Malibu Boats Gordon Bay MarineParis MarineMonsterBillabong Oakley SBC Wakeboard SBC Skateboard

FAQs

WAKESTOCK FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

  1. WHEN, WHAT AND WHERE IS WAKESTOCK?
  2. TRAVEL TO WAKESTOCK
  3. WAKESTOCK TICKETS - HOW MUCH, WHEN AND WHERE?
  4. WAKESTOCK GENERAL SCHEDULE
  5. WAKESTOCK OFFICIAL EVENING PARTIES (Downtown Toronto)
  6. ACCOMMODATIONS & CAMPING
  7. WHAT TO BRING & NOT TO BRING
  8. COMPETING IN WAKESTOCK'S MALIBU BOATS AMATEUR WAKEBOARDING CHAMPIONSHIP?
  9. COMPETING IN THE WAKESTOCK PRO SERIES?
  10. WAKESTOCK'S PRO WAKEBOARDING EVENTS?
  11. WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING AT WAKESTOCK BESIDES THE BIGGEST WAKEBOARD EVENT IN THE WORLD?
  12. PRO WAKEBOARDERS ATTENDING WAKESTOCK?
  13. WHAT DO THE WORLD'S TOP PROS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT WAKESTOCK?
  14. BOATS USED TO TOW WAKESTOCK'S PRO AND AMATUER EVENTS?
  15. HOW DO I ENTER IN THE MISS REEF CANADA BIKINI CONTEST AT WAKESTOCK?
  16. IS THERE PRIVATE BOAT ACCESS AT WAKESTOCK?
  17. WHO DO I CONTACT FOR WAKESTOCK MEDIA ACCREDITATION?
  18. WHO DO I CONTACT TO WORK AS A VOLUNTEER AT WAKESTOCK?

1. WHEN, WHAT AND WHERE IS WAKESTOCK?
The 10th annual Wakestock Festival runs daily from Thursday, July 24 through to Sunday, July 27 inclusive, offering 4 days of World Series Wakeboarding (the largest in the world), action sports (skateboarding and fmx), music (over 40 bands performing on three stages), shopping deals on surf, skate, street apparel (Canada's largest action sports consumer expo), and nightly parties (downtown clubs and bars featuring live bands and film premieres). Wakestock is the world's leading wakeboarding contest and Canada's largest action sports & music festival.

Wakestock takes place on Centre Island, on the Toronto Islands, which is a 10 minute ferry ride across Toronto Harbour from downtown Toronto. The Toronto Island Ferry Docks are located at the foot of Bay Street on the downtown Toronto waterfront, where Bay Street intersects with Queens Quay, right beside the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.

Take the "Centre Island Ferry" from the Toronto Ferry Docks. The "Centre Island Ferry" will take you directly to the main entrance of Wakestock. Toronto Island Ferry info, schedule and map at: www.toronto.ca/parks/island/summerschedule.htm.

The Toronto Islands are one of Toronto's most beautiful and extensive park areas, and feature several incredible beaches, numerous protected waterways, acres and acres of parkland, several restaurants, playgrounds and the famous Centreville Amusement Park, a full service public marina, and public boat docking facilities.

For more info on the Toronto Islands: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/index.htm or call 416-397- 2628 (BOAT).

The Wakestock Festival site is a large section of Centre Island park land, and includes Long Pond, a world class watersports site where all of Wakestock's pro and amateur wakeboarding will take place. The Centreville Amusement Park is immediately to the east of the Wakestock site; the Centre Island Beach is immediately to the north of the Wakestock site; and the Toronto Island Marina is immediately to the west of the Wakestock site. All three facilities are open to the public throughout Wakestock. To download a pdf map of Toronto Islands: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/index.htm

The Wakestock Festival site on Centre Island opens daily at 9:00am and closes at approximately 6:00pm except Friday and Saturday when it will run until approximately 9:00pm with an extended concert schedule. Wakestock Parties in downtown Toronto clubs and bars start at approximately 9:00pm.

2. TRAVEL TO WAKESTOCK
Click here for Travel information.

3. WAKESTOCK TICKETS - HOW MUCH, WHEN AND WHERE?
Click here for Ticket information.

4. WAKESTOCK GENERAL SCHEDULE
Click here for the Wakestock General Schedule.

5. WAKESTOCK OFFICIAL EVENING PARTIES (Downtown Toronto)
To be announced

5. ACCOMMODATIONS & CAMPING
There are no accommodations or camping available on Toronto Islands. In fact camping is prohibited on the Islands. Everyone, including pro riders, are staying in downtown Toronto or GTA area hotels, motels and hostels. Wakestock pro riders, sponsors and VIPs are staying at the Westin Harbour Castle, right next to the Toronto Islands Ferry Docks, and a short walk or taxi ride to downtown clubs and bars.

There are plenty of hotel options available in downtown Toronto within walking distance of Toronto Island Ferry Docks and downtown clubs, bars and restaurants. Here is a partial list based on close proximity to Toronto Islands Ferry Docks. For more info check: www.torontotourism.com.

Westin Harbour Castle (4 star): Queens Quay & Bay St, next to Ferry Docks. 416-869-1600
InterContinental Toronto Centre Hotel (4 star): Front Street, north of Ferry Docks (beside Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Skydome). 416-597-1400
Radisson Plaza Harbourfront (4 star): Queens Quay just west of Ferry Docks. 416-203-3333
Novotel (3 star): Esplanade just north of Ferry Docks. 416-367-8900
Holiday Inn Toronto (3 star): King St & Peter St (northwest of Ferry Docks). 416-599-4000
Ramada Hotel & Suites (3 star): Jarvis St northeast of Ferry Docks. 416-977-4823
Germain Hotel (boutique 4 star): King St & John St northwest of Ferry Docks. 416-345-9500
Fairmont Royal York (4 star): Front St (north of Ferry Dock across from Union Train Stn). 416-368- 2511
Hilton Toronto (4 star): York St & Richmond St (north of Ferry Docks). 416-869-3456
Strathcona (3 star): York St & Front St (north of Ferry Docks). 416-363-3321
Sheraton (4 star): University Ave & Queen St (north of Ferry Docks). 416-361-1000
Best Western Primrose (3 star): Jarvis St & Carlton St (northeast of Ferry Docks). 416-977-8000
Hostelling International - Toronto: Church St (north of Ferry Docks). 416-214-5775
Global Guest House Hostel: Spadina St & Queen St (northwest of Ferry Docks). 416-923-1208

Camping: Camping is prohibited on Toronto Islands. The closest campground is Glen Rouge Campground at Kingston Rd & Port Union Rd, about 30 minutes from downtown Toronto. TTC transit is available in close proximity to Glen Rouge For more info: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/recreation_facilities/camping/index.htm
For more information on all Toronto accommodation options: www.torontotourism.com

7. WHAT TO BRING & NOT TO BRING
Alcoholic beverages of any kind are not permitted! Leave them back in the City for your after-parties.
Backpacks will be checked by security. There are two beer gardens onsite at Wakestock.
While everything you could possibly need and more will be available onsite at Wakestock, we recommend you bring a bottle of water and sunscreen.
If you plan to go swimming at the Centre Island Beach bring a towel.
While there are ATMs on site, bring lots of cash so you don't miss out on any of the shopping deals in the Action Sports Marketplace.

Wakestock Admittance Rules: No coolers, no bottles or glass, no outside food or drink (except one bottle of water), no pets, no folding chairs, rollerblades, bicycles, no frisbees, no umbrellas, no projectiles of any sort, no professional photography or filming equipment without approved accreditation, no tripods. Wakestock reserves the right to refuse service.

8. COMPETING IN THE WAKESTOCK'S MALIBU BOATS AMATEUR WAKEBOARDING CHAMPIONSHIP?
The Malibu Boats Amateur Championship is Canada's largest am event, providing a chance rub shoul- ders with the top pros and to shine in front of the wakeboard industry. But you don't have to be a top wakeboarder to compete. Wakestock is open to amateur riders of all ages and skill levels, female and male. One of the biggest am categories is the Novice division. If you can ride across the wake, then you can compete in Novice. Other category's include Intermediate and Advanced. There are divisions for all ages, male and female starting with 11 & Under. The top Advanced riders will qualify for the World Series Pro Expression Session. Entries are limited on a first come basis.

9. COMPETING IN THE WAKESTOCK PRO SERIES?
Wakestock is the leading event of the WWA World Series and features the Malibu Boats Pro Expression Session (World Series points), the Billabong Pro Railslide (world's #1 Slider event), the Billabong Pro Wakeskate (one of the top wakeskate events in the world), and the Oakley Launch Pool best trick contest. Entry is by invite or qualification through the Wakestock Malibu Boats Amateur Championship (Expression Session and Wakeskate only). For pro event info, please contact Wakestock's Technical Director at: adam@sbcmedia.com.

10. WAKESTOCK'S PRO WAKEBOARDING EVENTS?
Wakestock is unique in that it is the only contest in the world to showcase the leading progressions of the sport in 4 separate pro events: Malibu Boats Expression Session, Billabong Pro Railslide, Oakley Launch Pool, and Billabong Pro Wakeskate. Wakestock organized the first ever dedicated Railslide contest on the World Tour back in 1999 and has been pioneering the 'slider' contest scene ever since. Wakestock also organized the first Pro Wakeskating contest in the world, working with the world's foremost rail builder Pat Panakos of The Projects in Orlando, Florida. Wakestock also organized the first pro wakeskating contest in the world. Wakestock continues to be the world's leading Pro Railslide event, with the largest and most progressive course that the pros get to ride all year including inno- vative new designs by the world's leading rail builder, Patrick Panakos. The Wakestock Pro Expression Session is Canada's only WWA World Series event, one of four that make up the World Tour. The incredible Oakley Launch Pool that Wakestock debuted last year and seen in photos around the world has been stepped up to a whole new level for 2006. The new design will include a multi-pool set-up with brand new rail designs. . The 12 best wakeboarders and 12 best wakeskaters in the world will be battling for an increased prize purse and bragging rights.

11. WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING AT WAKESTOCK BESIDES THE BIGGEST WAKEBOARD EVENT IN THE WORLD?
Wakestock is also home to the Canadian Action Sports Marketplace & Expo, Canada's largest youth lifestyle & action sports consumer show. Wakestock is also one of Canada's largest music festivals of the summer with over 40 bands. Collectively Wakestock is one of the world largest action sports and music festivals.

WAKESTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Wakestock features more than 40 bands over three days on three separate band stages: The TELUS Main Stage, the Edge 102.1 Stage, and a third Indy Skate Stage. The official announcement of Wakestock bands will be made June 10th, 2008 by Edge 102.1 radio followed by a posting here on www.wakestock.com. That's just during the day at the Wakestock Festival site on Centre Island. There are also evening parties scheduled in downtown Toronto clubs that will features DJs.

WAKESTOCK ACTION SPORTS MARKETPLACE & EXPO - SHOPPING
Over 30 exhibitors representing some of the top skateboard, wakeboard, surf, snowboard and action sports shops in Canada, plus manufacturer exhibits from leading clothing, wakeboarding, footwear and sunglass companies such as Billabong, Malibu Boats, Oakley, Element, Reef, Hyperlite, O'Brien, Spy, DC, Xcel, Reactor and more. Lots of great shopping "summer blow-out" deals and "Fall - Back To School" new product previews. Pro athlete autograph signings at selected exhibits throughout Wakestock. Free sample give-aways by several exhibitors.

WAKESTOCK SKATEPARK
Presented by SBC Skateboard Magazine, the Wakestock Skatepark is a new custom, street-oriented park built from scratch by some of Toronto's best skaters and park builders, with input from the staff of SBC Skateboard Magazine. It's open daily to anyone who can skate, so don't forget your skateboard. There will be scheduled pro and am jams with over $25000 in prizes. Skate gear and clothing will be available at skate shops participating in the Wakestock Action Sports Marketplace.

MISS REEF CANADA BIKINI CONTEST AT WAKESTOCK
If you seen the ads featuring the famous Reef Girls or witnessed the Miss Wakestock contest before you already know what this is all about. The most beautiful women in Canada vying for the prestigious title of Miss Reef Canada at Wakestock. Judged by top action sports stars and some lucky contest winners and in front of an enthusiastic Wakestock crowd. It's the largest Miss Reef contest in the world. The Finals will be held the evening of Saturday July 27 at the Wakestock Boarders, Bands and Bikinis Bash Miss Reef.

RIGHT GUARD EXTREME FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS
This year's Freestyle event will showcase five of the World's best freestyle moto athletes. Returning for his 7th year, Jason "Airborne" Thorne & teammate Marco "The Fin" riding for Fleshgear, Kenny Yoho out of Florida, also riding for Fleshgear & Utopia. New for 2006, ECX (East Coast Xtreme) riders Rudy Waller & teammate Seth Elliott will be onsite for the weekend. Highlights not to miss this year include a new track layout featuring 3 ramp-to-ramp set-ups. Demos will run daily on the Island from Friday August 11 through Sunday August 13.

WAKESTOCK AFTER-PARTIES
Wakestock features a full schedule of nightly after-parties starting Thursday July 26 through to Sunday July 29. Details and updates to be announced shortly on www.wakestock.com.

BUD LIGHT BEER GARDENS
The Bud Light Beer Gardens, the largest beachfront beer garden you'll ever enjoy offers prime time spectating of Wakestock wakeboarding events and concerts, no shoes required. Keep your eyes peeled for the Bud Light Girls offering special give-aways.

SWIMMING
Adjacent to Wakestock's Centre Island event site is one of Toronto's best swim beaches: Centre Island Beach. Another popular Island swim beach is Hanlan's Point Beach (clothing optional).

12. PRO WAKEBOARDERS ATTENDING WAKESTOCK?
All of the top wakeboarders and wakeskaters in the world are expected to compete at Wakestock 2008. Specific invites and entries in the Malibu Boats Pro Expression, the Billabong Pro Railslide, the Oakley Launch Pool, the Billabong Pro Wakeskate will be announced closer to the event.

13. WHAT DO THE WORLD'S TOP PROS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT WAKESTOCK?
RUSTY MALINOSKI (CAN): "Wakestock is not only a fun contest, it's THE 'funnest' of the year - it offers a real relaxed environment. It's the contest where you get the best rails of the year. The Oakley Jib Pool is sick. Wakestock has the biggest crowds - it feels so good to have thousands cheering you on, it's a cool feeling.

"The new Toronto Islands site is f-ing sick. The wake is better because the water is deeper. I remember pointing to Parks on the shore during my winning run last year because I was so stoked. I didn't realize that I'm the first Canadian guy to take down the Wakestock Expression Session title since Jeff Heer way back in 98; I can't really describe how that feels. The win felt extra special because it was on home soil. But Wakestock is not like some local tournament; it's the best in the world." - Rusty's first Wakestock was 2004. He won the Malibu Boats Expression Session at Wakestock 2005.

DANIEL WATKINS (AUS): "Wakestock is completely different from X-Games, its got unique rails, its more laid back, and generally you see better wakeboarding at Wakestock because there's not as much pressure. The Wakestock format with separate dedicated events for Rails and Expression works a lot better. At the end of the weekend you're going to see who is the best all round rider in the world."

"We changed our flights to Monday so we could keep the Wakestock dream alive for an extra 24 hours!" - Daniel has competed at every Wakestock since 2002 and won the Malibu Boats Wakestock Expression Session at Wakestock 2003

PARKS BONIFAY (USA): "Wakestock 2005, with it's sick rail course and jib pool was more like a skate or snowboard contest. It's the only contest where they build special sliders just for the event. It's the only contest where there's a crazy ass crowd screaming from just 6 ft away. It's the only contest where they have legit bands come and play. It's a combo of the three that make Wakestock the best f**king contest in the world!" - Parks has competed at every Wakestock since 2001 when he won the Wakestock Billabong Railslide Championship. He won the title again in 2003.

KEITH LIDBERG (USA): "Wakestock is the only contest that I look forward to every year. The new location on Toronto Island is the best site for a wakeboard contest that I've ever been to in my career. I liked how the rail course made for a more interesting final. I really had to step it up because everyone else was riding so well. In my final run I threw in three tricks that I didn't even try in practice. The Billabong Pro Railslide contest made wakeboard rail riding more legit because everybody took their riding to another level." - Keith has competed at every Wakestock since 2002 and won the 2005 Wakestock Billabong Pro Railslide Championship

RYAN DOYLE (CAN): This new Toronto site was so huge and there was so much going on that it made Wakestock take another step up from previous years. Even though I grew up in the Toronto area, I had never been out to the island before; it is such an amazing site to hold Wakestock. I hope that it stays there for a long time. Last year the Billabong Pro Rail course was the best it has ever been; the rails were longer and more mellow and it allowed everyone to get really tech." - Ryan has been to every Wakestock since 2002 and won the inaugral Wakestock Jib Pool best wakeskate trick in 2004

BRETT EISENHAUER: "Wakestock is relaxed, an atmosphere where we don't have as much pressure. They bring Pat (Panakos) up to build the sickest sliders. Wakestock always has the sickest crowds. I look at the Canadian crowd like they're Aussie, they love to drink and have a good time. I love the fact that the crowds are so close to the course, pumping us up. At Wakestock, if you crash, the crowd pumps you back up. Definitely having the crowd that close is one of my favourite things about Wakestock.

"To me Wakestock is the biggest event of the year that I look forward to because of the atmosphere and the people there. That's why such sick riding happens at Wakestock, there's a little less pressure, so you can just have fun, and that's when our best riding comes out. Plus by mid-summer we are most on top of our stuff, so it's a perfect time to have Wakestock." - Brett has competed at every Wakestock since 2002. His first ever pro event win was Wakestock's Malibu Boats Expression Session in 2004

AARON RATHY (CAN): "Wakestock is the biggest and most fun event on the tour. The Oakley Launch Pool at Wakestock is the best rail set-up ever built for wakeboarding - like snow skate street style." - Aaron made his Wakestock debut in 2005 winning Best Wakeskate Trick in the Oakley Launch Pool

SHANE BONIFAY (USA): "Wakestock offers so much - watch girls, watch skateboarding, hang out with friends, check out all of the bands - there's so much going on, I love Wakestock for that reason alone." - Shane has competed at every Wakestock since 2000 and won the Wakestock Billabong Pro Railslide title in 2004

JEFF WEATHERALL: "Wakestock's Oakley Launch Pool is the best thing to ever happen to wakeboarding - a cross between a skatepark and a backyard pool. Now wakeboarding can go anywhere!" - Jeff has competed at Wakestock since 2004. He finished 2nd in the Malibu Boats Expression Session at Wakestock 2005

BRIAN GRUBB (USA): "It's my favourite contest of the year - all the rails, and girls, and beer. This is the event all of the pro riders look forward to - the best wakeboarding and wakeskating on the planet." - Brian has competed at every Wakestock since the Pro Wakeskating debuted in 2000 and won the Wakestock Billabong Pro Wakeskate title in 2003

CHAD SHARPE (CAN): "Wakestock is not like a normal contest where you may want to be more conservative. At Wakestock you really go for it. On the rails you have five minutes, so you can really throw down!" - Chad has competed at every Wakestock since 1999. He won the Wakestock Billabong Pro Railslide title in 2000.

ERIC RUCK (USA): "I've never had so much fun at a wakeboarding contest, ever!" - Eric has competed at every Wakestock since 2002 when he won the Billabong Pro Railslide Championship

JEFF HEER (CAN): "Wakestock is awesome, the best crowds, the best sliders, the best parties. There's no other event like it in the world!" - the legendary Jeff Heer won the first ever Wakestock title in 1998, and has coached,consulted, repped, announced and/or boat driven and partied at every Wakestock since.

14. BOATS USED TO TOW WAKESTOCK'S PRO AND AMATUER EVENTS?
Malibu has been the official towboat of Wakestock for the past eight years. For more Malibu Boats info check online at www.malibuboats.com.

15. HOW DO I ENTER IN THE MISS REEF CANADA BIKINI CONTEST AT WAKESTOCK?
Entries are limited and handled in conjunction with Reef Canada. Please email info@wakestock.com.

16. IS THERE PRIVATE BOAT ACCESS AT WAKESTOCK?
Toronto Island is accessible by private boat. Contact Toronto Island Marina to reserve a public boat docking spot: phone 416-203-1055. Toronto Island Marina is a full service marina with fuel and marine services. Alternatively boat docking and fueling is available at Toronto's Outer Harbour Marina: phone (416) 778-6245. The closest public boat launch to the Toronto Islands is Ashbridge's Bay.

17. WHO DO I CONTACT FOR WAKESTOCK MEDIA ACCREDITATION?
For info and media inquiries, please contact media@wakestock.com.

18. WHO DO I CONTACT TO WORK AS A VOLUNTEER AT WAKESTOCK?
Dozens of volunteers get to be part of Wakestock every year, helping in a variety of on site jobs to stage the world's best wakeboarding events. To inquire joining the Wakestock volunteer team please email volunteers@wakestock.com.