Hurricane Irene: Garden State Wakeoff Still On

What hurricane?

That will be the mindset of the Garden State Wakeoff's organizers Saturday as professional-level and just-for-fun wakeboarders hit Lake Hopatcong with Hurricane Irene whooshing its way up the East Coast.

Organizer Ryan Sorensen said he expects surprisingly good weather for Saturday's 9 a.m. start.

"It's actually going to make for calm waters," he said. "It's shaping up to be a good wakeboard day, contrary to all the hype and people getting nervous about the hurricane. Saturday's going to make a calm day, which will make for ideal conditions for wakeboarders."

The Wakeoff's website was just as confident in a message posted Thursday, despite Gov. Chris Christie declaring hours before.

"The Wakeoff is on!" the website said. "Irene is not suppose to hit Lake Hopatcong until Saturday Night, so we will be wakeboarding on Saturday with light 7mph winds! The calm before the Storm!"

The event, which will be held at the Lake Forest Yacht Club and charges $4 for adults and $2 for children, will host competitions between eight age and talent divisions.

Sorensen said to stick around for the Outlaw class, which has drawn competitors from as far as Florida and North Dakota.

"These are pro-level riders," he said. "As soon as you put up cash as a prize, people come out of the woodworks for it."

The Mason Street Pub will host the after-party, according to the Wakeoff's website.