Courtesy photo
A diver is seen jumping through the air as part of the The Xtreme Sports World Series competition.
ALPENA — The Xtreme Sports World Series has selected Northeast Michigan as its venue for Labor Day weekend, according to a Blackwater Office press release on Monday. This event will bring three days of competition, nationally touring entertainment, and global broadcast exposure to the region.
Blackwater leadership stated that the region was selected based on Blackwater’s “proven experience in large-scale sporting events, broadcast production, event planning, and global, high-capacity live event operations.”
According to the release, Northeast Michigan was also chosen because of the “significant” opportunity within the region to support and grow major sports, entertainment, tourism, and broadcast-driven events.
“The Xtreme Sports World Series coming to Northeast Michigan represents exactly what Blackwater NE was created to do — bring world-class experiences, global attention, and real economic opportunity to this region,” Mike Romanowski, CEO of Blackwater NE, said in the release. “This is not just another event. It is a three-day international sports and entertainment showcase that will be broadcast to the world. After more than a year of hard work, this vision is now becoming a reality, and we are proud to support programming that brings competitors, spectators, sponsors, and media from around the globe to our community.”
“Once committee members and delegates arrive in the coming weeks, we will be announcing dates for our vendor fair so local businesses, community partners, and individuals that have supported us, have the opportunity to participate in this spectacular event,” he added.
This event will feature world championship high diving, wakeboarding, and other select extreme-sports, special appearances by Olympic medalists, athlete meet-and-greets, and appearances from recognized and accomplished athletes in the world, according to Blackwater. Competitors and spectators are expected to travel from across the United States and around the globe, creating a tourism and economic opportunity for Northeast Michigan.
Designed as a high-energy, broadcast-ready sports and entertainment experience, the Series combines “the thrill of international athletic competition with the atmosphere of a major festival,” the release stated. The event will span three days over Labor Day weekend and will include live entertainment from nationally touring acts, fan experiences, hospitality opportunities, and interactive moments with athletes and special guests.
Owen Weymouth, Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series diver, highlighted the significance of the Series and its impact he believes it will bring to Northeast Michigan.
“This event is about bringing the world to Northeast Michigan,” Weymouth said in a video to The News,. “We are building an experience that showcases elite athletes, extreme sports, live entertainment, and global broadcast exposure in a way this region has never seen before. Northeast Michigan has the natural beauty, the energy, and the audience appeal to become a destination for world-class sports and entertainment.”
“I’m really looking forward to coming to Northeast Michigan this September for the inaugural cliff diving event,” he added.
Lee Michaud, former NCAA and national team member for USA Diving, said he is excited to bring the Series to Northeast Michigan and for athletes to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
“The Xtreme Sports World Series is coming to Northeast Michigan this Labor Day weekend, bringing world-class competition and unforgettable entertainment to the region,” he said. “Events like this put our sport on a global stage while creating real connections with fans and the community. With elite athletes, live entertainment, and the beauty of Northern Michigan as the backdrop, this is shaping up to be an incredible weekend — one that will be broadcast around the globe. Fans can expect to see world champions, celebrities, and even Olympic medalists all in one place.”
“We want you to bring your family and have a great time experiencing the beauty of Northeastern Michigan and the extreme pleasure of the sporting world, like something you’ve never seen before,” he added.
According to the release, the athletes participating in the Series will qualify through a points based and invitation based structure connected to recognize competitive pathways, including Red Bull Championship events, Team USA programs, and associated world-level competitions. This ensures that the event features elite athletes who have earned their position through proven performance, international rankings, and competitive results. Ranking will be established for the world championships on the final day.
In addition to world-class professional competition, select amateur and local-area events may be integrated into the weekend experience, according to Blackwater. Blackwater explained that the opportunities are designed to support regional participation, highlight emerging talent, and give local athletes a chance to be part of a globally televised sports and entertainment platform.
The Series is expected to attract families, sports fans, tourism partners, sponsors, broadcasters, and outdoor adventure enthusiasts, according to the release. With global broadcast distribution planned, the event will also place Northeast Michigan in front of a worldwide audience, highlighting the region as a premier destination for outdoor recreation, sports tourism, and live entertainment.
Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks, including participating athletes, entertainment lineup, broadcast partners, ticket information, sponsor opportunities, and the official events schedule and location.
Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.
