An athlete competes in the 2024 IWWF Wakeboard World Championships at Xiaoshan's Xianghu Lake on Oct 24. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The 2024 IWWF Wakeboard World Championships opened at Xianghu Lake in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou on Oct 24, and will run until Oct 27.

Over 130 top athletes from 24 countries and regions are competing in the event, showcasing the high-speed thrills and stunts that have made wakeboarding a global favorite in extreme water sports.

The sport, set to debut as an official competition item at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, involves athletes performing daring surf moves on waves generated by specially designed boats.

This year's tournament is one of the sport's most important events, drawing top talent like IWWF men's champion Nic Rapa from Australia and women's champion Eugenia De Armas from Argentina. Italy, last year's team champion, is also vying to defend its title.

An athlete competes in the 2024 IWWF Wakeboard World Championships at Xiaoshan's Xianghu Lake on Oct 24. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

China's team features four athletes, including Yue Han from Hunan. While he was modest about his first-day performance, he expressed excitement about competing with the world's best and hopes the championships will boost the sport's popularity in China.

Held at Xianghu Lake, known for its pristine waters and scenic views, this championship not only highlights Xiaoshan's beauty and athletic spirit but also enhances Hangzhou's post-Asian Games push to become a top destination for international sports.

An athlete braves the waves alongside a boat at Xianghu Lake in Xiaoshan. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]