How much $$$ to host a pro event? Slalom, Trick, Jump, and Wakeboard

[Ralph Lee]

I'm talking like the old pro tour where everybody showed up over one long weekend. It used to be a very successful turn out here in Oregon. I'm friends with the local ski shop/boat dealer, who shows interest and ski at a lake that could accommodate.Leaving prize money out of it is there anyone out there that could give me a ball park figure that I could run with? Anyone??

[Horton]

Class F, C, L, or R?

Do you already have a surveyed course?

Do you already have a jump ramp?

Do you already have facilities on site to accommodate the public?

Do you already have judges Towers and a scoring building?

Do you have all of the video equipment for boat camera and end course?

 

Do you have........

 

The cost depends on your existing infrastructure and what level event you wish to host. If you do it class F you can do it very much on the cheap but then you are going to need extra prize money to bring in elite skiers.

[RazorRoss3]

When you say you have a dealer interested, would they be providing your boats? especially if you are trying to bring wake events in having boats provided would be an organization headache off your shoulders and probably a mild cost saver. What level of advertising dollars/sponsorships are available in the area?

[bishop8950]

Order of magnitude, tens of thousands. Really depends how big you go and how much sponsorship you do. Big events like the Malibu Open and CA ProAm run a pretty big budget.

[Ralph Lee]

@Horton @RazorRoss3 @bishop8950 - the course was just re-surveyed this September. Sounds like the only thing missing with the site is a judging tower, but I'm in construction. The dealer I know is a long time amateur 3 event skier and I'm positive I could get him to supply any model of Nautique or Malibu, plus the food stands. If I could convince him he'd sell a boat or two out of it he might even be willing to put up some prize money. 've only recently got a serious about trying to get it around. If everyone broke even somehow I know I could make it happen.

[Chad_Scott]

Malibu Open $60000 in prize money for men's and women's. slalom and jump. Add men women trick could be another 30000. We also do 4000 in jr scholarships. Not to mention paying for use of site. Set up. Tents bathrooms webcast officials travel and the numerous other expenses. Very big budget to put on. And every waterski event trying to get money from the same industry sponsors. Harder to accomplishing than most people can imagine. I know the California pro am with slalom only is a pretty big budget as well. Greg does a good job of cultivating outside industry local sponsors as well

 

 

[Ralph Lee]

@Chad_Scott Are any of the skiers travel expenses included in today's tournaments?

[bishop8950]

@Ralph Lee good for you for making the effort! Do your homework as you have started here. Try to get guys on the phone who have done it before to learn from them. Just don't assume it's easy. As Chad said, there is more to it than most can imagine. I am no expert, but I know enough to know I would seek a lot of input before I did anything.

[Edbrazil]

I expect that some pro tournament organizers may want to speak up. There should be a

wide range from small to very large. With events like the Masters and Malibu Open at

the high end now. Would also be interesting to see what the budgets were for pro events

back several years, such as the original Tour.

[Chad_Scott]

No skiers expenses at Malibu Open. We do provide an athlete tent and VIP area. We feed skiers lunch and provide snacks and drinks throughout the event. Expenses not previously mentioned.

[jdarwin]

I would start with my local sports commission / travel and tourism / convention bureau, etc. They have insight into where you could go for sponsors and logistical assistance. If run correctly, it could be a financial success for both the promoter and the athletes. If not, it could be a disaster. The best way to run an event is to concentrate your efforts on the competitive aspects (course, boats, judges, etc) similar to any other tournament. Then, have others involved who know how to create sponsor value, food and beverage, marketing (align your event with a local TV/Radio station), etc. It takes a small army to plan these events and a much larger one to actually execute. Back in day, I was part of the Champion Lake Pro Classic that ran successfully for years (part of the ESPN Summer Nights broadcasts) - even with the assistance of World Sports Marketing handling most of the planning and marketing, it was quite a logistical challenge locally.

[Ralph Lee]

I am going to do my homework, just thought I'd throw a couple questions out here first. I may be dreaming but I picture a tournament like the 2003 04 Malibu open. I personally think you have to add Wakeboarding in to draw the crowd I'm wanting.

 

There's 7 or 8 private sites within an hour or so to this lake, all with die hard skiers, and no pro tour that comes to town anymore. It may be a realistic goal...

[Edbrazil]

Think the 2003/2004 Malibu Open would have been en France, where they spazzed on

a potential World Record of 2 @ 43 off (9.75m) by Jamie Beauchesne.

[Ralph Lee]

@Edbrazil I'm talkin Sac town. Asher's first pro win

[Ralph Lee]

Roughly estimating things I'm my head while working, I'm thinking 170 to 200 grand with some free labor involved.

[Edbrazil]

@Ralph Lee Malibu Open 2002 at Bell Acqua. Maybe that year? There have been

several pro events there, plus Nationals. I remember 2002 just for the Jumping, where the

Womens and Mens World Records were broken, with bonus money paid.

 

We went Tour-ing to Oregon many times on Blue Lake. 1994--2000? One great extra was

going to Mt. Hood to snow ski early-early, and then return to work at the site during the week.

[Ralph Lee]

@Edbrazil Ed, I think I got ya on this one, I was there in 03 and 04. You got me wondering now if it was called something else? But I'm 90% sure it was titled Malibu Open

[Ralph Lee]

@Edbrazil my wife thinks I got the years wrong

[Horton]

Oooo lord what difference does it matter the year Bu Open was at Bell Aqcua?

[Ralph Lee]

@Horton all I care is Greg and Debbie keep bringing the California Pro Am there

[LeonL]

Well, @Ralph Lee if you can get your hands on 170 - 200K I'm sure you make it fly.

[klindy]

@Ralph Lee I'd suggest $100k is the opening "bid" for a decent pro stop type tournament. That assumes you have a site available with all the parts/pieces like course, ramp, docks and other supporting stuff. Go up from there for more marketing and more "attention" to the event.

[Edbrazil]

Depending on the site, you may want to consider an insured World Record bonus. I have

seen a WR happen and get paid 4 times at Pro events. After Malibu 2002, the Golden

Goose may be cooked as far as jumping. In the Back When, the insurance premium for

a WR, was about 1/4 to 1/3 of the payout.

[Ralph Lee]

@LeonL - @klindy That estimated budget would cover a nice payout for the competitors. Oregon has a HUGE water oriented market and is packed with companies that like to support anything out of the box. Combine that with a watersports/boat dealer who is an old school skier makes me think it's not too far fetched.

 

Hats off to those who actually pull of a pro tour theses days, I've always admired their efforts!!

[Stevie Boy]

How about something along the lines of the Swiss Pro Event, Followed by Night Jump Event, seems quite a good combination to bring spectators, a couple of good rock bands in between the two events, sell pitches to vendors for food and drink.

[Ralph Lee]

@Stevie Boy Oregonians flock to outdoor concerts!! I wonder what the numbers say about day jump verses night jump?