waketheworld

And it is not just about water sports. These kids need encouragement. I dare say that there is no one more encouraging than a boat driver trying to get you up for the first time. Think about when you learned, how many times did the driver say, "Try it again one more time." Most of these kids come from homes that are living off the system and have no desire to do better. Entitlement programs have sucked the ambition out of them. Spending time on the water with someone, helping them overcome their fears, and sharing their joy of success, that is where real differences can be made. It is not just about the day. It is about changing your perspective of what is possible. We have had kids come back years later and say that they were in college now because of the encouragement they received at the lake. The impact you can have on a child's life by spending an afternoon with them is worth way more and has a longer lasting effect than money.

Words can hardly describe the feeling I get when I hear awesome stories from across the country about sharing water sports with those that are less fortunate. I was watching this video from 2010 and makes me realize how far Wake the World has spread. At the time the video was made, the only events were in North Carolina and Texas (around 30 boats total). This last year, 43 events in 28 states! (450+ boats). Thank you to everyone out there that loves to share water sports with others. If you are the kind of person that loves sharing water sports with others, let me know. It has never been easier to start your own Wake the World event. Come join our family! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXs5zTQYBc0&t=1s

I have not been on here since I started the thread. I'm glad to see the positive responses. As we get dates for 2017 I will be updating the website. Any locations that are listed near the bottom of the list with no date at all have been discussed but have not happened yet. I put them on the list so that I can get those that are interested in contact with each other and help make things happen. So, if you are interested, please contact me through email so that I can get you in the loop of the planning process. Arranging an event and getting these kids out on the water is one of the most gratifying things I have ever done with my life! I am so glad that there are so many others that share that same feeling with me. I feel like, it is my purpose in life to make it as easy as I can for others to start an event. We have made it possible to host an event without raising any money! WTW pays for the insurance, your boat drivers bring their boats full of gas, you can tell people to pack a lunch. Everything beyond that is a bonus. It is all about the shared experience in the boat with kids that have likely never been in a boat. The joy is contagious!

Every year I am amazed by all of the awesome people I meet that are participating in Wake the World events. We have our awesome group here in NC. We have become this tight knit group of friends. Then I go to Oregon and I see the same thing, Then I go to California, same thing. Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin.... the list goes on, same thing. Thank you to all of you that are involved. I know that you understand it when I say that you can "feel the love" at these events. Thank you for sharing this love of water sports with underprivileged kids, handicapped individuals and wounded warriors. In 2016, we had 38 events, around 400 boats, 1000 volunteers serving about 2000 kids last summer. There are a few more events being added each year. Check the website for the latest updates. If you are interested in hosting an event, this is a good time of year to start planning. Just let me know. http://www.waketheworld.org Greg@waketheworld.org Here is one of our videos from this year. https://vimeo.com/189246489?ref=em-share

Every year I am amazed by all of the awesome people I meet that are participating in Wake the World events. We have our awesome group here in NC. We have become this tight knit group of friends. Then I go to Oregon and I see the same thing, Then I go to California, same thing. Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin.... the list goes on, same thing. Thank you to all of you that are involved. I know that you understand it when I say that you can "feel the love" at these events. Thank you for sharing this love of water sports with underprivileged kids, handicapped individuals and wounded warriors. In 2016, we had 38 events, around 400 boats, 1000 volunteers serving about 2000 kids last summer. There are a few more events being added each year. Check the website for the latest updates. If you are interested in hosting an event, this is a good time of year to start planning. Just let me know. http://www.waketheworld.org Greg@waketheworld.org Here is one of our videos from this year. https://vimeo.com/189246489?ref=em-share

October is Fall Lake Clean Up Month! Join us to help keep our waterways beautiful. Share your photos & stories to social media.Let's see who finds the biggest thing, weirdest thing and the coolest thing. So far this month we have recovered a couch and a bed! Find out more at; www.lakelove.net Be sure and hash tag #lakelove, #lakeloveusa, #waketheworld

It is getting warmer out and we are migrating back to our favorite lakes. Let's take a little time and pick the trash that has floated in during the winter. Be sure and take selfies and blast social media. We need to get people fired up about taking care of our playground! http://www.lakelove.net

The Lake Love National Lake Clean Up Day happens October 17th. This is lake clean up with a twist. It involves selfies, social media and free stuff. find out more... www.lakelovewtw.org

I am sorry that happened, I assure you it was not intentional. I take full responsibility. I sent you a PM.

Stretch, you can do lake clean up on your own. But if you have local marinas and shops involved, your posted pictures are more likely to be recognized by your local shop. Your local shop is going to like having their hashtag out there for thousands of people to see. Hopefully they will recognize you for doing that. Stoked, Clean whatever waterway you want, tag whomever you want. It is up to the shop or marina to take action on your photo. I am sure that the Crazy Horse has customers from all over. Sounds like you are one of them. A local shop may looking for the post that is the furthest away. I know I would. Rockballer, Sure, I'll give you a sticker!

Wake the World is proud to announce a new nationwide campaign called “Lake Love”. This is a lake beautification project. (aka picking up trash). What makes this campaign different is that it involves hash tagging, social media, sponsors & swag! Here’s the simple explanation of how it works; You pick up trash at the lake Take pictures of you & your friends doing this awesome thing Upload pics to social media Hashtag sponsors Sponsors randomly send you stuff Our date is set for Saturday, October 17th. Here’s where I need your help. I have been working with the nationally recognized companies to be sponsors (basically agreeing to give you guys stuff for doing something awesome and hashtagging their company). I need help with getting the local dealers and marinas on board. The more local shops that are involved the more swag that it is available and in turn more people will want to pick up trash. This project will be… Good for the environment Raise awareness Give local shops national attention Introduce more people to Wake the World Good exposure for national sponsors Low cost for sponsors Creates a buzz on social media You get to feel good about doing something awesome Contact your local shop or marina, ask them to be involved, send them to our website for the details. www.wtwlakelove.org Our National sponsors so far are: Wake the World, Tige, Centurion, Supreme, ZUP, SeaTow, Above the Wake, Alcoa I am waiting to hear back from the other boat manufacturers and board companies, no one has said no. Locally we have: Old North State Marina, Crazy Horse Marina, Lilly’s Bridge Marina, Race City Marine, Grandpa’s Marine, North Point Watersports, Charlotte Ski Boats, ,Boat Dock Marine, Blueway Paddle & Summit Construction.

Major Announcement from Wake the World on October 1st. It is national in scope and it involves YOU!

Wake N Flake 2015 is set for March 7th. Online sign up is now open! www.wakenflake.com Wake N Flake is a day of wakeboarding and snowboarding on the same day all to raise money for Wake the World www.waketheworld.org Choose from several locations to wakeboard behind brand new wake boats, eat lunch, get a hooded sweatshirt and a lift ticket for Appalachian Ski Mountain for that evening. This is bucket list stuff!

Thanks guys, I have been getting several emails over the last day or so. I've heard from people in Tennessee (3), Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota(3), Maine, South Carolina, Sacramento, and SoCal. If you are interested in participating, please email your info and where you are located. I will put you on our contact list and keep you informed on events being planned in your area. It's just like I said, "Boat owners are awesome!" Greg waketheworld@earthlink.net