Acworth making waves with wakeboarders
Atlanta may not be close to any beaches, but that doesn't mean water sports can't happen in the area. And with the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour kicking off its season in Acworth this weekend, there will be no shortage of competitive aquatic action.
From amateurs to award-winning professionals, men and women will compete in qualifying rounds May 16-17, followed by semifinals and finals May 18.
About 150 riders from across the world, including Georgia natives Chase Andrews, Rhett Whatley, Corey Bradley and Brett and Brandon Lee, will ride rails and do aerial stunts while being pulled by boats at speeds of about 25 mph. Other top performers include reigning tour champion Phillip Soven, 2007 Rookie of the Year Adam Errington, women's wakeboard world champion Amber Wing and X Games gold medalist Emily Copeland Durham.
In addition to the on-the-water action, there will be autograph sessions, festival foods, music, vendors and an awards ceremony.
• THE 411: $10, $5 advance); $5 for children ages 6-12; free for children ages 5 and younger. 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. May 16; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 17; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 18. Dallas Landing Park, 5120 Allatoona Drive, Acworth. 770-917-1234, www.prowakeboardtour.com.
This Hawaiian-themed Advocates for Children fund-raiser festival features arts and crafts vendors, food, music and, of course, thousands of rubber ducks floating downriver to the finish line. The owner of the winning duck will win a Kia Spectra. The fourth annual Duck Dash 5K will start the festivities, which also include a Kids Korner and parade.
• THE 411: Free for spectators; $5 per duck; $25 for Quack Pack (six ducks); $50 for Quacker's Dozen (13 ducks); $250 for Very Important Duck Package ($50 ducks); $10 for parade registration; $25, $20 in advance for Duck Dash registration. 7 a.m. Duck Dash registration; 8 a.m. 5K; 10 a.m. festival; 2:30 p.m. Duck Derby. May 17. Duck Dash takes place at Cartersville Soccer Complex, 152 Milner Road. Duck Derby is at Riverside Park Day Use Area, 513 Allatoona Dam Road, Cartersville. 770-387-1143, www.advochild.org.
USA Weightlifting Olympic Team Trials
The top 30 men and women from across the country, including several of Georgia's strongest competitors, look to clean-and-jerk their way to a spot on the U.S. Olympic team to compete in Beijing this summer. With so much on the line, this three-round elimination is sure to bring out the best in each lifter.
• THE 411: $11.25. Women's C Sessions 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Men's B Sessions 5:30-9:30 p.m. May 16; Men's and Women's A Session Finals noon-4 p.m. May 17. Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Center Drive N.W., Georgia Tech. 404-894-9600, www.olympictrials2008.com.
Year One Experience
Hundreds of vintage automobiles vie for best in show. Other festivities include a manufacturer's midway, a kids' play area, a wet course race and the unveiling of the Burt Reynolds Edition Trans Am.
• THE 411: $10. 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. May 18; 8 a.m.-7 p.m. May 19; 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. May 20. Road Atlanta, 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. 770-967-6143, www.roadatlanta.com.
Atlanta Xplosion vs. Orlando Mayhem
After a loss in last season's Independent Women's Football League championship game, the Xplosion got this season off to a bad start with two road losses. Following back-to-back victories, Atlanta looks to defeat Orlando, an Eastern Conference rival that leads the Tier 1 South Atlantic Division. $12; $6 for children ages 6-15; free for children ages 5 and younger. 6 p.m. May 17. Roswell High School Stadium, 11595 King Road. 678-395-4465, www.atlantaxplosion.com.
