Like paintjobs and horsepower, sound systems are a thing in the go-fast boating world. Performance-boat owners aren’t shy about blasting their favorite tunes. Blasting across the water at speed or sitting still in a raft-up.
The same goes for the wakeboarding and wake-surfing crowd. They love their tunes, so that boats that pull them typically come with massive sound systems.
KICKING Marine Audio is once again backing WakeFest this month in Tennessee.
The folks at KICKER Marine Audio recognize the commonality between the two groups. That’s why Stillwater, Okla., company backs events such as the Desert Storm Poker Run and Super Cat Fest West on the go-fasting side, and events such as WakeFest slated for July 17-18 on Center Hill Lake in Smithville, Tenn. KICKER Marine Audio is coming back as the official sponsor for the Women’s Pro division.
Joining long-time event host TNT Watersports along with partners Pates Ford Marina and FishLipz for its 21st year, KICKER will be “livin’ loud” on-site to welcome top wake athletes and thousands of spectators for “Tennessee’s premier wakeboarding event featuring pro and amateur competition, live entertainment and plenty of family-friendly fun,” according to a press release from the company.
“WakeFest is a family-fun event designed to get our customers excited about wakeboarding,” said Luke Tantrum, the owner of TNT Watersports owner and host of the popular, annual grassroots competition, in the release. “We appreciate having great sponsors like KICKER aboard to help us promote the fun and excitement of the wake lifestyle. Top quality audio is a huge part of the towboat experience and WakeFest will be a perfect venue to showcase premium KICKER product.”
In addition to its contribution of cash prizes for the elite women’s event and as part of its sponsorship promotion, KICKER Marine Audio has partnered again with professional wakeboarder and KICKER ambassador Guenther Oka to showcase his personal AXIS T250 throughout WakeFest weekend. Outfitted with a custom KICKER M-Class Performance Wake System, the boat will serve as one of the primary towboats supporting event activities including the Women’s Pro Division, while also providing an active platform for athlete engagement, content creation and on-water product demonstration.
Oka’s audio system features two pairs of KMTC 11-inch tower cans, KXML amplifiers, KMC5 head unit, two MWE 12-inch subwoofers, two pairs of 8-inch coaxial speakers and 8-inch components, along with a signature KICKER Marine Audio graphics package designed to maximize visibility both on the water and throughout the weekend’s activities.
“WakeFest is a staple of the wakeboarding community, and we’re proud to return to sponsor the Women’s Pro Division,” said Jeremy Bale, KICKER’s national brand manager. “WakeFest is a high-energy event showcasing extreme performance — the perfect environment for KICKER Marine Audio products.
“Having Guenther covering the event onsite through his social channels and showcasing his AXIS T250 on the water throughout the weekend creates a unique opportunity to demo KICKER Marine Audio in the wake environment, while supporting one of the most respected events in the industry,” he concluded. “We look forward to being onsite with Guenther, engaging with attendees and extending exposure for the KICKER brand within the wake market.”