WakeFest 2027 at Center Hill Lake
- Aug 13
- 6 min read
WakeFest 2027 at Center Hill Lake: Dates, Event Details, and Accommodation Options
WakeFest will be back at Center Hill Lake from July 15 to 18, 2027. Registration kicks off on Thursday evening, leading into two days of exciting wakeboarding competitions, bustling marinas, and the vibrant energy of summer at the Pates Ford Marina area.
One of Center Hill Lake’s most anticipated annual events, WakeFest brings riders, boaters and spectators together for an action-filled weekend on the water. Expect impressive tricks, music carrying across the lake, boats anchored around the competition area and a lively crowd enjoying peak summer in Tennessee.
Visitors attending WakeFest can make Due West Hideaways: Home of Leeric Lodge on Center Hill Lake their peaceful home base near Center Hill Lake. Spend the day enjoying the action, then return to adults-only glamping accommodations, private hot tubs and an infinity pool overlooking Center Hill Lake and the Cumberland Mountains.
WakeFest 2027 Dates and Location
Dates: Friday and Saturday, July 16 & 17, 2027
Rider registration begins: Thursday, July 15
Location: Pates Ford Marina area
Lake: Center Hill Lake
City: Smithville, Tennessee
The event is held near Pates Ford Marina and Fishlipz Grill, which become the center of activity throughout WakeFest weekend.
What Is WakeFest?
WakeFest is an annual wakeboarding competition and lake festival featuring riders of different ages and skill levels, from young beginners to internationally recognized professionals.
TNT Watersports created the event in 2005 on Old Hickory Lake as a grassroots effort to introduce more people to wakeboarding and support the sport’s growing community.
As attendance increased, WakeFest moved to Pates Ford Marina on Center Hill Lake in 2012. The relocation helped the tournament grow into one of the region’s most notable wakeboarding events.
During its first year at Center Hill Lake, WakeFest reportedly attracted more than 75 riders and approximately 2,000 spectators. In later years, crowds grew to roughly 3,000 spectators, with competitors traveling from across the United States and other countries.
Now entering its 21st year, WakeFest continues to combine serious competition with an approachable, grassroots atmosphere.
WakeFest Through the Years
WakeFest has developed a reputation for attracting elite talent while continuing to offer divisions for younger and less-experienced riders.
At WakeFest 2024, Ulf Ditsch won the featured shootout competition. The Pro Men’s podium included Sam Brown, Guenther Oka and Kai Ditsch, demonstrating the caliber of riders appearing at Center Hill Lake.
The 2025 event continued that momentum. Frederico Dal Lago finished first in the featured men’s competition, followed by Guenther Oka and Sam Brown. Zahra Kell won the Pro Women’s division.
WakeFest divisions have included:
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Women
Junior
Grom
Outlaw
Pro Men
Pro Women
This range of divisions is an important part of the event’s appeal. Spectators may see a young emerging rider compete in the morning and then watch an internationally known professional attempt massive aerial tricks later in the day.
WakeFest 2027 Schedule
The official schedule may be adjusted as the event approaches, but the announced program includes registration beginning Thursday evening and competition throughout Friday and Saturday.
Thursday, July 15
Rider registration is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Pates Ford Marina.
Fishlipz typically hosts evening activity during WakeFest weekend, giving competitors and early arrivals an opportunity to gather before the competition begins.
Friday, July 16
Friday registration is scheduled from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., with competition beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m.
Scheduled Friday divisions include:
Beginner
Women
Intermediate
Outlaw
Pro Men
Professional prizes are expected to be presented at Fishlipz following the competition.
Saturday, July 17
Saturday’s scheduled divisions include:
Grom
Junior
Advanced
Pro Women
WakeFest Shootout
WakeFest is advertising more than $50,000 in prizes for the 2026 event.
Competitors and spectators should review the official WakeFest schedule shortly before traveling because division times and event details may change.
What WakeFest Feels Like
WakeFest is not a traditional sporting event with stadium seating and quiet spectators. It is a water-based celebration of wakeboarding and lake culture.
Boats and pontoons gather around the competition area while riders perform spins, flips and technical tricks. Music plays across the water, spectators cheer from their boats and the Pates Ford Marina area takes on a floating-festival atmosphere.
The result is part wakeboarding tournament, part boat gathering and part summer celebration.
It can be loud, crowded and energetic—and that is precisely why so many visitors love it.
What Guests Should Know Before Going
A little preparation will make WakeFest weekend much more enjoyable.
WakeFest Is Primarily a Water-Based Event
Most spectators experience WakeFest from boats, pontoons or personal watercraft.
Land-based viewing is limited, and the best vantage points are generally located on the water around the competition area. There is not a conventional grandstand or large shoreline viewing area.
Visitors should not assume they can arrive by car, walk to the shoreline and clearly see the entire competition.
Boat Rentals Book Early
Visitors who do not own a boat should reserve one well in advance.
Pontoon and boat rentals at Fishlipz Marina and other nearby rental companies often sell out for major summer weekends.
WakeFest is one of the busiest weekends of the season, so waiting until the last minute may leave you admiring boats from the parking lot. That is technically lake-adjacent, but not quite the full WakeFest experience.
Expect Heavier Lake Traffic
WakeFest brings significantly more traffic to Center Hill Lake.
Visitors should expect:
Busy boat launches
Increased marina traffic
Longer waits at fuel docks
Crowded parking areas
More boats near the event site
A lively atmosphere throughout the Pates Ford area
Arriving early can make launching, parking and finding a suitable viewing position much easier.
Boaters should operate cautiously, watch for anchored vessels and follow instructions from event organizers, marina staff and law-enforcement personnel.
Bring the Right Equipment
A full day on Center Hill Lake requires more than sunglasses and enthusiasm.
Consider bringing:
Properly fitted life jackets
Plenty of drinking water
Sunscreen
Hats and sunglasses
Food and snacks
An appropriate boat anchor
A dry bag for phones and valuables
Towels and extra clothing
A designated sober boat operator
July conditions can be hot, bright and humid. Staying hydrated and protecting yourself from the sun are essential.
Houseboats May Face Additional Restrictions
Fishlipz has previously advised that houseboats may not tie directly to the shoreline during WakeFest.
Houseboat owners should contact the marina in advance to discuss mooring arrangements and any event-specific restrictions.
Evenings Offer a Change of Pace
Center Hill Lake may be loud and active during the day, but evenings tend to become considerably more relaxed.
After a full day of engines, music, crowds and wakeboarding, visitors can enjoy a quiet dinner, sit beside a fire or unwind beneath the stars.
This contrast is one of the best reasons to stay somewhere peaceful rather than directly in the busiest marina area.
WakeFest provides the rowdy good times. Due West Hideaways provides the recovery plan.
Stay Near WakeFest at Due West Hideaways
Due West Hideaways offers an adults-only glamping retreat near Center Hill Lake and the surrounding marinas.
The property provides a comfortable home base for WakeFest visitors who want convenient access to lake activities without giving up privacy and relaxation.
Guests can spend the day boating, watching the competition and enjoying the festival atmosphere before returning to a quiet natural setting in the evening.
One of the property’s signature features is the infinity pool overlooking Center Hill Lake and the Cumberland Mountains. It is an ideal place to relax before heading out for the day or to unwind after returning from the WakeFest crowds.
Due West Hideaways also offers:
Adults-only accommodations
Private hot tubs
Comfortable, upscale interiors
Private outdoor spaces
Peaceful natural surroundings
Scenic lake and mountain views
Excellent stargazing
Low light pollution
Instead of ending the day in a crowded hotel or noisy marina, guests can return to their own private retreat.
Take a swim in the infinity pool, sink into a private hot tub and enjoy a quiet Tennessee evening beneath the stars.
Why Guests Enjoy Due West Hideaways During WakeFest
WakeFest guests appreciate having:
Convenient access to Center Hill Lake marinas and boat launches
A private place to unwind after busy lake days
Comfortable accommodations away from the largest crowds
An infinity pool with lake and mountain views
Private hot tubs
Outdoor space for relaxing evenings
A romantic adults-only setting
A peaceful atmosphere after an energetic day on the water
Due West Hideaways is especially well suited to couples who want to turn WakeFest into a complete Center Hill Lake getaway rather than simply making a day trip.
Reserve Your WakeFest 2027 Stay Today
WakeFest weekend is one of the most popular weekends of the year at Center Hill Lake.
Boat rentals, marina services and nearby accommodations tend to book well in advance. Due West Hideaways has limited accommodations, so early reservations are strongly recommended.
Mark your calendar for July 15–18, 2027, arrange your boat access and start planning an unforgettable Center Hill Lake weekend.
Spend your days watching riders fly across the water. Then spend your evenings relaxing in the infinity pool overlooking Center Hill Lake and the Cumberland Mountains or unwinding in your private hot tub.
Book Your WakeFest Weekend Check Availability
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