Kuwait Wakeboard Team was founded in June of 2006 by Bader Aljihayem (Current Team Captain) and was officially recognized by the Kuwait Sea Sport Club in August 2008. The Kuwait Wakeboard Team currently consists of 5 official riders. The team slowly formed from riders around Kuwait joining together to better their skills. Most of the riders on the team have progressed over the past year from an intermediate rider to a competitive rider. The current wakeboard team is made up of both men and women all of which represent a wide variety of style, design and determination within Kuwait.
In September 2008, the Kuwait Wakeboard Team received an official invite from the Qatar Marine Sports Federation to participate in the Annual Arab Wakeboard Competition of 2008. The Kuwait Wakeboard Team was pleased to receive the “Best Team Award” for a combined total performance score of 102.83. On November 28, 2008, the International Water Ski Federation featured on the home page in “Today’s Top Headline” the Kuwait Wakeboarding Team accepting the “Best Team Award” trophy.
The Kuwait Wakeboard Team participated in the UAE Wakeboard Tour 2009 and took the titles for both male and female riders. Aljihayem ranking 1st among the male riders and Al-Failakawi ranked 2nd among the female riders.
In July the KWBT attended the 2009 World Games in Taiwan, Aljihayem proudly represented both his team and country. Aljihayem placed 13th among some of the world’s top wakeboarders. It was a proud moment in history for Kuwait to be the first ever Arab country to be represented in the water sport division.
The Kuwait Wakeboard Team began wakeboard training for individuals in Kuwait. This led to the sponsorship by Al-Shaya Marine and the launch of the Al-Shaya Wakeboard School.
Through hard work and dedication to the advancement of the sport the Kuwait Wakeboard Team has been able to put Kuwait on the map of international sports
Currently the Kuwait Wakeboard Team is working towards one goal; refining wakeboarding in Kuwait. To do this the team needs support in many areas, such as; a professional wakeboarding boat, boat-docking, equipment and support for local, regional and international tournaments or competitions.
During the next year, the Kuwait Wakeboard Team will work closely with the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation to enhance the talent of the team, local riders and other regional riders. Specific events coming up for the team include the Asian Regional Wakeboard Championship, Malaysian Waterski & Wakeboard Championship 2010, and the Oman Beach Games 2010.
