@ToddL exactly. The AWSA chart only goes to 2005. It would be interesting to see if the 700+ M4 all came from the prior M3's, or just started at that age.
The reason that M5 grew, was that the M4 moved on (but not all of them). Some of the younger groups have around 100 members, NATIONWIDE. That's an average of 2 or 3 per State. Unless there is a real resergance of interest, I'm concerned with who will organize these events, or if it would even be worth it financially (considering the cost to run a tournament, and there are a fair amount of free entrants to run it).
I suppose that what the sport would need, would be for the younger kids of today (the wakeboarders) to jump ships (so to speak), and start slalom skiing. That would be awesome, but, I don't see it happening here. Hopefully, tomorrow.....
BTW, I applaud the AWSA's Junior Development Program! A step in a GREAT direction.