The 2013 Red Bull Wake Open will return to the Tampa Convention Center this weekend, July 5-6, with 35 of the best wakeboarders on the planet competing for the top prize in an all-around competition with categories including boat, water park, and big air.

2012 Red Bull Wake Open Overall Champion Raphael Derome will return to defend his championship at the 2013 open as over 30 new wakeboarders from nine different countries ranging in ages from 15 to 32 come out hungry for the top prize.

Each wakeboarder will compete in different competitions of skill with Malibu Boats pulling competitors in the boat competition, and the Sesitec 2.0 cable system used for the wake park and big air competitions.  A combined best score will determine an overall winner of the 2013 Red Bull Wake Open.

Raphael Derome from Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada will headline the competition.  Many say, though, that greats like Aaron “The Dominator” Rathy from Winter Garden, FL and Harley Clifford from Orlando, FL could give Derome a run for his money.  Rathy finished second last year while Clifford took home first in the boat contest and was third overall.

Crowd favorite Daniel Grant from Bangkok, Thailand, is a 15-year-old sensation who wowed the audience last year with a variety of innovative tricks, is expected to challenge many for the top scores in both wake park and big air.

Just like last year, the event is completely free to attend for adults and kids of all ages.  The competition zone, very much like a skatepark on water, will be situated on the water just outside the Convention Center.  The best viewing locations are available around the Channel including various areas outside the Tampa Convention Center and Knights Point at Harbour Island.

If you can't make it, tune in to NBC on Saturday, July 6 at 4 p.m. to catch the live broadcast of 2013 Red Bull Wake Open.

For more information on the 2013 Red Bull Wake Open, visit the official Wake Open page or check out Red Bull Wake Open on Facebook.