Winnipesaukee Wakesurf Open set for Aug. 1 in Tuftonboro

TUFTONBORO — Melvin Village Marina will host the fourth annual Winnipesaukee Wakesurf Open on Saturday, Aug. 1.

The wakesurf open is a competition for all skill levels. There is a professional division, and women's and men's amateur divisions. In the amateur divisions, wakesurfers of all ages compete together.

The competition will accept up to 50 entries, with 40 online registrations available and 10 spots left open for those who want to register same-day. Online registrations are accepted until July 31.

“The more the merrier,” said Kevin Dubia, who works in sales at Melvin Village Marina. “It’s a good atmosphere. You’re around people that enjoy watersports and you can enjoy the company of people who have the same interests. You can [also] show up without any experience.”

Dubia said the company began hosting the event as a way to make watersports accessible to anyone. Melvin Village Marina does not partner with any watersports companies to put on the event so the registration fee stays low, opening the competition to anyone who wants to participate.

“When the prices are high, it limits who is going to do it,” Dubia said. “We wanted to make it open to everyone, and do something different that doesn’t usually happen around here.”

Marine Patrol officers are onsite at the event to direct water traffic, as well as the Tuftonboro Fire Department for safety precautions. The competition course is 800 feet away from the shore, as Dubia wanted this competition to show how wakesurfing can be done safely, without too much disruption.

“We want to make people more aware of wake surfing, and show that you can go out and participate in this sport without disturbing the shoreline,” Dubia said.

The marina is also hosting a bonus event for registered competitors: “Ride with a Pro,” on Friday, July 31. Riders can practice behind the official competition boat, coached by Team Nautique athlete Bailey Dunn, in appointment-based sessions.

Those not competing can enjoy a festival atmosphere on the shore with food trucks, pop-up shops, vendors and music. The competition will also be broadcast on a screen on the shore for spectators.

“People can come hang out and just spend a day on the water,” Dubia said. “You’ll never see the marina busier.”

This event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Melvin Village Marina, 462 Governor Wentworth Hwy. The competition will also be live-streamed on the Melvin Village Marina social media channels. For more information, visit eventbrite.com/e/2026-winnipesaukee-wakesurf-open-tickets-1991828149614.

Wakesurfers "travel from all over New England to participate in these competitions,” Dubia said. “It’s pretty fun.”