05.05.2026 • 9 min.

Langenfeld Open 2026: Format, riders, and everything else

Also available in German

All updates

@wasserski_langenfeld

The riders. The setup. The schedule. All this information and much more about the 2026 edition of the Langenfeld Open presented by Liquid Force, taking place on May 9 at Wasserski Langenfeld, is clearly summarized here.

The anniversary season marking 50 years of Wasserski Langenfeld reaches its highlight on 9th May 2026: At LANGENFELD OPEN presented by Liquid Force, the world’s best cable wakeboarders will come together to compete for $15,000 in prize money in front of a large crowd.

At the heart of the contest is the custom hacked course by UNIT Parktech, pushing even the most experienced pros to their limits. Riders are battling it out for $15,000 in prize money.

Nowhere else do riders push UNIT Parktech feature hacks ...
... and various DIY elements as hard as they do at LAO
The best spots around the lake ...

A look at the six sections and the rider lineup promises a great contest

Section 1
In the UNIT pool, a Transition Curb is placed this year, opening up countless line options – but one thing’s not possible: simply riding straight through the pool.

Section 2
As in previous years, a UNIT L-Kicker is set up on both the right and left side. This year, they’re set steeper to give riders more airtime.

Section 3
In the Air Trick Section, judges and spectators can expect big inverts. Alternatively, a corrugated pipe is available on the left.

Section 4
The LIQUID FORCE Section features a corrugated rooftop rail on the left. On the right, the rooftop funbox has been modified with two add-on rails.

Section 5
In the FOLLOW Section, the Nico I is set up on the left in combination with the Nikstad Signature. On the right, the classic Street Series Ledge is combined with a bank from the skate funbox.

Section 6
As always, the course finishes with the NISSAN Section. On the right, the Nico II Signature paired with the skate funbox sets up for creative transfers. The left side is a bit more mellow – but this hack still combines three different features.

... will still be in high demand in 2026!
Section 1
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 4
Section 5
Section 5
Section 6
Setup Overview
Of last year's finalists, defending champion Rivers Hedrick and German rising star Nike Hauser will be competing

The starting lineup promises nonstop action

For its seventh edition, LAO once again brings together a stacked international lineup. Here’s a selection of the 60 riders in the field:

Open Ladies

  1. Rivers Hedrick (USA)
  2. Campbell Scarborough (USA)
  3. Claudia Pagnini (ITA)
  4. Meagan Ethell (USA)
  5. Katinka Buiting (NED)
  6. Joelina Gerards (GER)
  7. Nike Hauser (GER)
  8. Theresa Karl (GER)
  9. Sonja Sjostrom (SWE)
  10. Nanou Lenaers (BEL)

Open Men

  1. Trent Stuckey (USA)
  2. Gavin Stuckey (USA)
  3. Daniel Grant (THA)
  4. Luke Holmes (USA)
  5. Max Milde (GER)
  6. Nils Ritzmann (GER)
  7. Matty Muncey (GBR)
  8. Jan-Luca Schulze (GER)
  9. Valentino Chiche (FRA)
  10. Daniel Kleshchar (UKR)
Trent Stuckey aims to defend his title and will face off against Luke Holmes and Valentino Ciche, two 2025 finalists, among others

The field of competitors will be joined by several well-known names and up-and-coming riders. In any case, we can once again expect top-notch wakeboarding. Local hero Nils Ritzmann is also excited to be back in action after his injury layoff.

“Being back in Langenfeld after more than a year and a half means a lot to me. Being out on the water and seeing so many friends again makes this year’s LANGENFELD OPEN special for me.”
– Nils Ritzmann

This view never gets old
Nils Ritzmann will finally be back in the mix in 2026

If you can’t watch the action live on-site, you can look forward to another livestream—it kicks off at 2:00 p.m. with the round of the last 16 riders. Tune in so you don’t miss a thing!

Schedule for Saturday, 9th May 2026

9:00 am – Men’s Qualification
1:00 pm – Women’s Qualification
2:00 pm – Livestream starts
2:30 pm – Men’s Round of 16
4:15 pm – Men’s Round of 8
5:10 pm – Women’s Round of 8
6:00 pm – Women’s Super Final
6:30 pm – Men’s Super Final
7:00 pm – Prize Giving
7:30 pm – Livestream ends

The only thing better than the livestream is experiencing it in person. Spectator tickets are now available for purchase at www.wasserski-langenfeld.de/langenfeldopen – €12 for adults (including the after-party) and €6 for children and teens.

All that’s left is to hope for great weather and wish all participants the best of luck!

 

All photos: Lehnert

Ähnliche Artikel

05.05.2026 • English • 9 min.

Langenfeld Open 2026: Format, riders, and everything else

Also available in German

All updates

@wasserski_langenfeld

The riders. The setup. The schedule. All this information and much more about the 2026 edition of the Langenfeld Open presented by Liquid Force, taking place on May 9 at Wasserski Langenfeld, is clearly summarized here.

The anniversary season marking 50 years of Wasserski Langenfeld reaches its highlight on 9th May 2026: At LANGENFELD OPEN presented by Liquid Force, the world’s best cable wakeboarders will come together to compete for $15,000 in prize money in front of a large crowd.

At the heart of the contest is the custom hacked course by UNIT Parktech, pushing even the most experienced pros to their limits. Riders are battling it out for $15,000 in prize money.

Nowhere else do riders push UNIT Parktech feature hacks ...
... and various DIY elements as hard as they do at LAO
The best spots around the lake ...

A look at the six sections and the rider lineup promises a great contest

Section 1
In the UNIT pool, a Transition Curb is placed this year, opening up countless line options – but one thing’s not possible: simply riding straight through the pool.

Section 2
As in previous years, a UNIT L-Kicker is set up on both the right and left side. This year, they’re set steeper to give riders more airtime.

Section 3
In the Air Trick Section, judges and spectators can expect big inverts. Alternatively, a corrugated pipe is available on the left.

Section 4
The LIQUID FORCE Section features a corrugated rooftop rail on the left. On the right, the rooftop funbox has been modified with two add-on rails.

Section 5
In the FOLLOW Section, the Nico I is set up on the left in combination with the Nikstad Signature. On the right, the classic Street Series Ledge is combined with a bank from the skate funbox.

Section 6
As always, the course finishes with the NISSAN Section. On the right, the Nico II Signature paired with the skate funbox sets up for creative transfers. The left side is a bit more mellow – but this hack still combines three different features.

... will still be in high demand in 2026!
Section 1
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 4
Section 5
Section 5
Section 6
Setup Overview
Of last year's finalists, defending champion Rivers Hedrick and German rising star Nike Hauser will be competing

The starting lineup promises nonstop action

For its seventh edition, LAO once again brings together a stacked international lineup. Here’s a selection of the 60 riders in the field:

Open Ladies

  1. Rivers Hedrick (USA)
  2. Campbell Scarborough (USA)
  3. Claudia Pagnini (ITA)
  4. Meagan Ethell (USA)
  5. Katinka Buiting (NED)
  6. Joelina Gerards (GER)
  7. Nike Hauser (GER)
  8. Theresa Karl (GER)
  9. Sonja Sjostrom (SWE)
  10. Nanou Lenaers (BEL)

Open Men

  1. Trent Stuckey (USA)
  2. Gavin Stuckey (USA)
  3. Daniel Grant (THA)
  4. Luke Holmes (USA)
  5. Max Milde (GER)
  6. Nils Ritzmann (GER)
  7. Matty Muncey (GBR)
  8. Jan-Luca Schulze (GER)
  9. Valentino Chiche (FRA)
  10. Daniel Kleshchar (UKR)
Trent Stuckey aims to defend his title and will face off against Luke Holmes and Valentino Ciche, two 2025 finalists, among others

The field of competitors will be joined by several well-known names and up-and-coming riders. In any case, we can once again expect top-notch wakeboarding. Local hero Nils Ritzmann is also excited to be back in action after his injury layoff.

“Being back in Langenfeld after more than a year and a half means a lot to me. Being out on the water and seeing so many friends again makes this year’s LANGENFELD OPEN special for me.”
– Nils Ritzmann

This view never gets old
Nils Ritzmann will finally be back in the mix in 2026

If you can’t watch the action live on-site, you can look forward to another livestream—it kicks off at 2:00 p.m. with the round of the last 16 riders. Tune in so you don’t miss a thing!

Schedule for Saturday, 9th May 2026

9:00 am – Men’s Qualification
1:00 pm – Women’s Qualification
2:00 pm – Livestream starts
2:30 pm – Men’s Round of 16
4:15 pm – Men’s Round of 8
5:10 pm – Women’s Round of 8
6:00 pm – Women’s Super Final
6:30 pm – Men’s Super Final
7:00 pm – Prize Giving
7:30 pm – Livestream ends

The only thing better than the livestream is experiencing it in person. Spectator tickets are now available for purchase at www.wasserski-langenfeld.de/langenfeldopen – €12 for adults (including the after-party) and €6 for children and teens.

All that’s left is to hope for great weather and wish all participants the best of luck!

 

All photos: Lehnert

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