This year marked a huge milestone for us here at Jackpine – our very first boat show as vendors! As a small, family-run business, we’ve been working since 2016 to craft the best wakesurf boards on the market. The excitement of getting to showcase our products and meet so many incredible people in person was an experience we’ll never forget.
The Show: Minneapolis, Here We Come!
While we’re fortunate to live in an area with several boat shows, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, we decided to take the plunge and be part of the Minneapolis Boat Show this year. Why Minneapolis? Simple: It’s one of the largest boat shows in the nation, drawing over 25,000 attendees! But more than that, it’s a market where we hadn’t yet built a big presence, and we were eager to meet the watersports enthusiasts from across the border.
We’ve always kept a low-key, "stay true to ourselves" vibe at Jackpine, so when we set out to create our booth, we knew we needed it to reflect the outdoorsy, casual, and fun-loving personalities behind the brand. We worked hard to design a space that would stand out in our small 8x10 area and really represent the Jackpine style. Let’s just say we made it work – we were packed, but everything was on display and attendees seemed to be stoked on the aesthetic!
Meeting Minnesota Watersports Enthusiasts
From the moment the show opened, it was clear that this was going to be a good time. The crowd was energized, and people were genuinely excited to get the wake season started. We were able to meet so many new faces and share our story with attendees who were eager to check out our handcrafted, lightweight boards and see the stunning artwork on display. Our 8' noserider showpiece, completed just the night before the show by Andrew, stole the spotlight. The board, adorned with gorgeous Vik Wilen art, was a real head-turner and sparked a ton of conversations. To make sure we captured the feedback, we had our team member, Teddy, carry it through the crowds to hear what people had to say. Major props to Teddy – he definitely got his workout in!
The Art: A Crowd Favorite
One of the best parts of the show was hearing everyone’s favorite board graphics – and let me tell you, it was a surprise every time! It was so reassuring to see that our carefully curated artwork really resonated with the crowd. This year, we took a risk with our Savage graphic, featuring a raccoon enjoying a tasty wave, and the response was beyond positive. People were requesting apparel with the Savage design, so I guess we'll be adding some tasty waves apparel. At the show, we brought hoodies and crew necks featuring the KR graphics, and they were a hit!
But the most fun moment was when team rider Kayla Ruedebusch, joined us at the show and decided to ask attendees which of her two graphic board designs they preferred. Check out the Instagram video! We expected a pretty even split, but the results surprised us: Skim won 18 to 8! Looks like everyone is really digging the neon lightning bolt and melty smile – and so are we!
Wakeboats, Pro Riders, and the Wake Community
Beyond the boards, another thing that caught everyone’s attention was the incredible variety of wakeboats on display. The MasterCraft XStar S and Nautique Paragon were absolute showstoppers. Every time we walked by, we could see people soaking in the luxury of these dream machines. The show also featured pro riders, from fresh talent to timeless icons, and it was amazing to meet so many incredible athletes who bring such energy to the sport. It’s clear that the wake community is something special – at the end of the day, we’re all just stoked to get out on the water with friends and family, having fun in the sun.
The Boat Show Vibe
What really made the Minneapolis Boat Show unforgettable was the sheer enthusiasm and excitement in the air. From fishermen to paddlers to diehard watersports enthusiasts, everyone had a smile on their face. It’s hard not to be in a good mood when the promise of warm days on the lake is right around the corner. For those of us who live the lake life, it’s darn close to Christmas!
Looking Ahead
Overall, the Minneapolis Boat Show was a huge success, and we can’t wait to see how we can continue to connect with the amazing community we met at the show. We’re excited to start the 2025 wake season and grow our presence in the Midwest even further. While we might not surprise everyone next year as the "local surfboard builder" since we met so many of you this time, we look forward to building lasting relationships with those of you we just met!
It’s time to kick off the 2025 wake season, and we couldn’t be more ready.
Cheers,
Jen, Andrew and the Jackpine Wakesurf Team
