Comparative аnalysis of wakeboarding development in different countries and main trends in its popularization

Abstract

Wakeboarding holds a prominent place among extreme sports, with a continuous increase in its popularity worldwide. The most significant development of this extreme sport has been achieved in Europe, America, and Australia. The purpose of the study is to identify the characteristic features, global trends in the development and popularization of wakeboarding in different countries, and to conduct a comparative analysis of wakeboarding functioning worldwide. Methods and organization of research. In the course of the research, the following methods were used: analysis of scientific, methodological, and specialized literature, Internet data; surveys; comparison; methods of mathematical statistics. Results. The leading countries developing wakeboarding, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, European countries, and others, have similar approaches to the organization and development of this sport. These approaches include a club system, a system of qualification categories and training levels for athletes, participation in competitions, and the presence of water infrastructure equipped with tracks. Several European countries develop wakeboarding through the adoption and implementation of long-term development programs for the sport, supported by the government and state institutions. Distinctive features include differences in the perception of wakeboarding as a hobby (USA and Canada) or a sport (Australia, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay), the organization of mass events (Germany, Italy, and France) or professional competitions (Great Britain and Spain), sources of funding (Australia and Brazil prioritize state funding, while other countries rely mainly on private organizations and sponsors), the age at which wakeboarding begins (ranging from 6 to 12 years old), their own systems for assessing the level of athletes’ training and classification, and the varying quantity and quality of water bodies and parks. The main features of the competition system in wakeboarding are the competition format, participant categories, trick evaluation, team competitions, and judging. Each of the reviewed countries has its own system of national and recognized international wakeboarding competitions. The greatest popularity and spread of wakeboarding development have been identified in Europe, North America (USA and Canada), Australia, and Oceania, making them leaders in the development of wakeboarding worldwide. In Asian countries, wakeboarding is at an initial stage of development, while in African countries, there is increased interest in the sport with a small number of participants. Conclusions. The analysis confirms that wakeboarding is a dynamic and promising extreme sport that is actively developing in various countries around the world.