The picturesque town on Enhien Les Bains, situated on the outskirts of Paris saw the worlds most elite wakeboarders gather together this weekend for the first ever Wakeboard World Cup stop.

27 riders (20 Pro Men and 8 Pro Women) from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, France, Great Britain, Russia, Switzerland, Argentina, Sweden, South Africa, Belgium and China all came together to demonstrate their awesome riding and battle for the huge prize purse of US $50,000.00.

The practice session alone held on Friday drew huge crowds along the lake side, all eager to catch the first glimpse of their favorite riders, but nothing could have prepared everyone for the massive 10,000 strong crowds that gathered on the Saturday and Sunday during the actual event itself. The riders were cheered on from stepping foot on the dock to landing back after their run, and of course, when Yann Calvez (France's Homeboy) took to the water the noise was deafening.

After an intense day for the riders on Saturday, everyone was then able to relax to take some well earned time out for the evening whilst being entertained by the world famous waterski display show 'The Stars of Florida' followed by an awesome firework display as the sun went down. There was even a guest appearance by the one and only 90 years 'young' Banana George.

Back on the water on Sunday, the Pro Men riders who had made it through the qualifying rounds and the Pro Ladies LCQ riders were ready to turn up the heat and go for gold. First out were the Pro Ladies LCQ riders which saw Robi Rendo (ARG) and Hayley Smith (AUS) getting a second bite of the apple after disappointing first round results held on the previous day. Then it was straight into the Pro Ladies and Pro Mens finals. Now the pressure was really on and that awesome cash prize purse was getting closer and closer.

The riding on Sunday was in fact without a doubt some of the best ever seen and all were worthy winners, but this was competition time and not everyone can fit onto the winners podium, there was no room for mistakes and the winners on the day would be the one's who ran a faultless run. In the Pro Ladies division after a dodgy start the day before, Hayley Smith (AUS) pulled the whole thing together to take 1st place with Robi Rendo (ARG) and Cathy Williams (USA) hot on her tail, only 1,33 points separated the top three ladies. The pressure was equally the same for the Pro Men but it was to be Daniel Watkins (AUS) who took the first place with a score of 53,67, closely followed by Josh Sanders (AUS) with 51,45 and Jeff Weatherall (NZL) with 50,56.

Well done to all the riders who took part in this first stop of the 2004 Wakeboard World Cup in Engian Les Bains, the riders were a pleasure to watch and we all look forward to an action packed 2004 back out on the water in Singapore and Qatar later in the year for the next two stops.