He created Wakeboard Waikato, which Dale says focusses more on the social side compared with the national body Wakeboard NZ, which is more competition-oriented.

“The grass roots side of the sport is what we encourage – the people who don’t want to compete,” says Dale. “But we accommodate the one who are right in competition as well.

“We set up events to teach people how to wakeboard. For people who can wakeboard, I’ll try and get them more coaching if they want it then progress their riding.

“The sessions I’m running this year I’m calling progressive riding sessions. If they come out during one of the sessions and they land a new trick at the end of the season, we are going to have a raffle. For each new trick that they land during the season, they will get one entry into the prize draw raffle.

“It’s designed to encourage people to try and progress their riding.”

So how does he attract wakeboat owners?

“I ask them very nicely,” says Dale. “I don’t own a boat but last year we were running a ‘wakeboard league’ social competition. It was good to get something started.

“I told people I didn’t own a boat but I wanted to create something they would find useful. I got in touch with them all. Luckily for me this was something they wanted to be involved in. There’s no pressure on it, and they don’t need to commit.

“All the money involved goes to the drivers to cover their costs.”

Dale wasn’t able to ride last summer as he was recovering from a few injuries, but this summer he’s back on the water and looking at implementing the another part of the development plan, asking other people to help out.

“What I did last year was quite a lot of work and it was a bit stressful, whereas this year I’ve changed it, so it is easier to manage. It’s a lot more stable now.

“It’s gone from strength-to-strength. This year I will be asking people to help out and volunteer their time, which people have already offered.

This way we can continue to progress the sport.

“Nobody’s ever done it. I don’t think there’s anywhere in the world where they are creating something like this.

“I like to think it’s making a difference and getting more people out there enjoying it.”

He also says he’s been very fortunate to have volunteers donate time and companies donate prizes. And there is an open invitation for anyone interested in helping to get in touch via the wakeboard Waikato Facebook page.

“The support I’ve had so far has been amazing. I’m extremely grateful,” says Dale.

“WW has been using public boat ramps when running events in the past, but WW now has a physical base to hold events in the form of Brooklyn Water Ski Club at Lake Karapiro. It’s a great club and has so much to offer.”