VALDOSTA – Though not a traditional yard sale, the Valdosta Wake Compound’s Third Annual Yard Sale brought hundreds of people to the community Saturday. 

Spectators sat alongside lakes of water as they watched wakeboarders take on leaps and flips at VWC’s annual competition.

The event is called a “yard sale” because a person’s gear may be “all thrown out in the yard” when he or she crashes into the water, said Luke Tilt, the compound’s co-owner.

The humor in the name is as if a rider is “selling” their gear when hitting the water, he said.

Some riders dove head first into the water Saturday as they crashed while attempting tricks. Others were able to catch air and glide their way across the water while performing.

Terry Bailey took at least one crash but spectators overall seemed pleased with his performance.

Bailey has been riding for 13 years since the age of 15. He dubbed himself “a duck.”

He has participated in VWC’s competition two of its three years, his first time being the compound’s inaugural contest year.

“I like Valdosta Wake Compound because it’s one of the most progressive setups in the world,” he said. “They cater to beginners, but they also cater to the most advanced riders.”

Bailey competed with other riders on the compound’s 2.0 slope-style course. In his heat, he went against riders Guenther Oka, Crosse Bearden, Meagan Ethell, etc.

The Yard Sale is an international competition where about 40 riders were invited to compete from 12 countries, according to organizers.

Those not invited received the opportunity to compete April 25 during a qualifier. The top four riders competed against the pros, Tilt said.

He said the qualifier acts as a “proving grounds” for riders.

The wildcard selections joined the professional riders Friday and Saturday in multiple heats. The contest was recorded and photographed for participants to select the best riders.

Visitors from other areas camped out at the compound in RVs during the weekend supporting the sport. 

Spencer Jacobsen, who transformed a school bus into a RV, traveled from Greenville, S.C., with his family to attend the event.

He is a regular at the Yard Sale, frequenting it each year since his twin daughters were 6 months old. They’re now almost 3 years old.

His brother, Wesley, works with the compound and Jacobsen said supporting his brother is just one of the reasons he comes to the event annually.

“I just enjoy coming here and love being around everybody,” he said.

He said the atmosphere is usually “lit” with “good vibes.”

“Everybody is always having a good time,” Jacobsen said. “The hype is really high.”

Tilt said the Yard Sale typically gathers about 400-500 people annually. Some of the visitors will stay for the entire weekend while some of the spectators travel from Florida.

He said he’s been directing people to visit local places such as the Georgia Beer Company.

“The hotels in the area are getting a lot of our business, the restaurants,” Tilt said. “We’re bringing tons of money from outside of the city and bringing people from all over the world to Valdosta, Ga.”

The Valdosta Wake Compound, 2314 Old Clyattville Road, is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Call (229) 375-3060 for more information.