RAMPING IT UP: A wakeboard athlete prepare for competition July 5-6 in Tampa. Credit: Nicole Abbett

RAMPING IT UP: A wakeboard athlete prepare for competition July 5-6 in Tampa. Credit: Nicole Abbett

RAMPING IT UP: A wakeboard athlete prepare for competition July 5-6 in Tampa. Credit: Nicole Abbett
  • Nicole Abbett
  • RAMPING IT UP: A wakeboard athlete prepares for competition July 5-6 in Tampa.

They're baaaaaack! Aerial athletes aptly known as wakeboarders will once again take over the harbor in Downtown Tampa for the 2013 Red Bull Wake Open. At the event on July 5-6 , 36 of the world's best athletes will compete as a part of the NBC Signature Series.

Ranging in age from 15 to 32 and having backgrounds from nine countries, the athletes will be challenged in three wake disciplines, including boat, wake park and big air.

This article appears in Jun 20-26, 2013.