Somehow we managed to stave off the rain in Acworth, GA for the first stop of the 2013 Mastercraft Pro Wake Tour. Thousands of fans looked on as some of the biggest names in wakeboarding came together for an impressive weekend of riding. It came as no surprise to see Phil Soven in the number one podium spot after laying down two very solid runs in the men's pro finals.  Soven fought hard to beat out the incumbent PWT champ Harley Clifford, Shota Tezuka, and wakeboard powerhouse Rusty Malinosky.

In the Women's competition, veteran rider Dallas Friday was barely edged out by Amber Wing for the win. But the biggest highlight of my day was the epic Mute Mobe that was laid out by none other than Aaron Rathy to win the big air competition. Still, with four stops left in the tour it could be anyone's game.

The final top three standings are listed below for each division:

Men's Pro

1. Phil Soven 90.00
2. Shota Tezuka 87.50
3. Harley Clifford 86.00

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Orlando has been the heartbeat of watersports for years. Nearly every professional in the industry has left a mark on the city and it is constantly on the cusp of innovation.

No matter what discipline you prefer, there is something for everyone. Cable parks for wakeboarders, private lakes for boat riding, and competition ski lakes for serious slalom skiers. And don't let the professional influence intimidate you.

Riders of all abilities come to Orlando to improve their game and associate with fellow riders to stay motivated. So whether you're just learning to land 360's or you're on the verge of breaking a world record, you can improve and progress in Orlando. At the very least, visiting a city with such a strong watersports influence will have a big impact on how you view the sport.

I am curious to know how many Orlando locals we have lurking around here. So if you're representing O-Town then give us a shout out in the comments.

As I have been trudging through boat after boat looking for 2013's best new wake makers, I have noticed that every company puts out a model that is a true crowd pleaser. It's the boat that keeps everyone happy and comes at a price tag that won't break the bank.

Most of all, these boats are more easily attained by the masses. Making them extremely versatile and practical.

Listed below are my top five picks for 2013's crowd pleasers.

1. 2013 Centurion Elite V C4
2. 2013 Mastercraft X-2
3. 2013 Sport Nautique 200
4. 2013 Pavati AX Aluminum
5. 2013 Axis A20

Then, once you have docked your new 2013 boat, take a peak at this surefire method of weighting your boat for the perfect wake. And hey, don't forget to shout out what your favorite boats are for this year.

Although the new year technically started on January 1st, my year really doesn't kick off until April 1st. That marks the month when the water is finally warm enough to drop the boat in and finally get back in the water. 2013 is already shaping up to be a landmark year for watersports. There are dozens of new boat innovations hitting the market, crossover boards which incorporate stand up paddleboarding with wakesurfing, and four major contests to look forward to.

At the top of my list of plans for this year is to test as many boards, skis and boats as possible and do some wake based traveling. I have been riding in the Smoky Mountains for years and I'm ready to branch out and hit the water in places like Charleston, Orlando, and definitely Lake Powell. But I'm most curious to here what you ladies and gents in the About.com community are planning for this season.

Maybe your going to sell your boat, buy a new one, learn how to 180, travel to some exotic locales? Whatever the case, we want to hear about it. Let us know in the comments what's on your agenda in 2013.