Hayden Fike of Cumming was awarded the title US Wakeboarding Champion in his age class (10 to 13 years) at the INT US Championship last month in Louisiana.  A fifth-grader at Coal Mountain Elementary, Hayden practices wakeboarding several times a week on Lake Lanier in the Six-Mile area. 

The INT League, known as the "Little League of Watersports," holds the largest watersports championship event in the United States.  To qualify, Hayden competed in an INT tour this summer and accumulated points throughout the season, by winning first place in three tournaments and taking second place in two tournaments.  This was his second year competing, and Hayden was glad to see several friends from last year's championship in California. 

The title has brought national recognition, and Hayden has even been approached about possible sponsorships by several wakeboard manufacturers. 

The Fike family moved to Cumming just over a year ago from Alabama, and for them wakeboarding is definitely a family affair.  Nine-year-old brother Hunter qualified to go to the US Championships this year, and placed 12th in his age division.  Younger sister Savannah took third place in the state.  Even his parents have started wakeboarding. 

When asked what it is like to have his entire family involved in the sport, Hayden says "It's really fun.  I can do the tricks, teach them new tricks and help them get better, so they look up to me.  That part is awesome."