A partnership to honor the clubs and the practice of water skiing, wakeboarding and associated disciplines …

On this occasion, we met Xavier Garni, the Communication Manager of the Federation for an exclusive interview.

The French Federation of Water Skiing and Wakeboarding was founded in 1947. It includes seven disciplines: Classic Water Skiing (Slalom, Jumping and Figure), Wakeboard and Wakeskate Cable and Wakebord Bateau, Barefoot (Slalom, Jumping and Figure), Speed Race, Para-Skiing and Para-Skiing Wakeboard and finally Babyskiing.

Today, the FFSNW has more than 10 000 members in 150 clubs, all disciplines included. It has several missions which aim to promote and develop the practice of the sport, the athletes and the structures:

• The organization of the French Championships (July and August 2021). You can follow them online on the social networks of the FFSNW.
• The accompaniment of the High Level Athletes through a follow-up and in particular training courses organized this summer. The objective is to take as many athletes as possible to the various International Championships.
• The project of “Support to the Club” which includes different types of subsidies to help the clubs in their actions and their projects.

For Waterskiing as for Wakeboarding, the impact of Covid-19 was not too much felt. On the contrary, it was one of the best seasons for many clubs. As outdoor and seasonal sports, they exploded during the summer of 2020.

Indeed, the French have gone abroad less and have discovered the activities around them. The observation was the same for all outdoor sports such as horseback riding.

However, the structures had to be more vigilant in terms of barrier gestures and safety protocols to allow the practice of sports in complete safety. The Federation supported its clubs with a kit of equipment offered on this occasion and a lot of work with the Ministry of Sports to prepare the reopening of activities.

For the athletes the difference was made and is still made this year in the beginning of the season which is slightly delayed. The way of training has also evolved a little bit with athletes who train more locally, as group training sessions could not take place.

This year 2021 is synonymous with hope for the French Federation of Water Ski and Wakeboard which should inaugurate at the end of the summer its brand new National Technical Center in Choisy-le-Roi. Currently under construction, this center will include the offices of the Federation and a water ski lift whose construction has just been completed (to be followed here). A great turning point for the development of the FFSNW and this sport.

Maybe soon a French Championship ? To be followed in the years to come!

As for the year 2020, most of the major sports events are being changed. However, the world of sports is adapting.

First, we had the right to the digital version of the Boat Show: the Virtual Nautic last March. The FFSNW as well as Spotyride were present!

Another major event of the year is the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo which should take place from July 23rd to August 8th 2021. No water skiing or Wakeboarding yet but for the world of water sports we will find: Sailing, Rowing and a new one Surfing! However, encouraging news for Wakeboard which was in the shortlist for the 2024 Olympics in Paris and which will apply to be present at the 2028 Olympics.

Coming soon, find the French Championships organized by the Federation. They are all listed on Spotyride!