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The Gravel Tour:
Our Legacy in Grassroots Wake Contests
The legacy of the Gravel Tour dates back to 1999, when watersports industry legend Herb O’Brien and Bill Porter, founder of Performance Ski and Surf, came together with a bold vision for the future of wakeboarding. At the time, the Orlando Watersports Complex—now known simply as OWC—was just beginning construction. Herb believed this new park should host grassroots wakeboard events to help grow the sport from the ground up. He and Bill agreed: if you create a space where local riders could compete, connect, and progress, the entire industry would benefit for generations.
From that vision, the Gravel Tour was born.
Over the past 25+ years, the Gravel Tour has grown into one of the world’s leading grassroots wakeboarding series. Riders from across the globe have traveled to compete, build friendships, and chase the coveted overall series title. But perhaps most meaningful is the fact that many of today’s top professional wakeboarders got their start here—standing on the dock at a Gravel Tour stop, full of nerves and ready to drop in for their very first contest.
“Gravel Tour was a huge factor in my career in wakeboarding. Not only did it help me understand the pressure of a contest at a young age, but it gave me the chance to shine in front of an audience and potential sponsors.”
— Adam Errington
— Adam Errington
In 2024, we briefly brought back the name Roots Tour as a tribute to why these events started in the first place—to bring riders and their families together for a great day on the water. But in the end, everyone just kept calling it the Gravel Tour. And honestly, we don’t blame them.
The Gravel Tour name stands for community, progression, and a love for the sport that runs deep. It’s more than a contest—it’s where riders grow up, where friendships form, and where future legends first make their mark.
“My favorite part of running the Gravel Tour is watching the riders come together and push themselves. When I look at old photos of now-elite athletes who started at our events, I feel proud knowing we were part of their journey. But more than that, I love seeing families out on the water, just enjoying the day together. That’s what this tour has always been about.”
-Bill Porter, CEO Performance Ski and Surf
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