The 3rd Annual Pro Team Challenge wakeboard competition is returning to the Pacific Northwest. The three-part competition will feature some of the top pro riders in the world riding for their prospective board manufacturers, a chance to add their names to the Malibu Cup PTC trophy and bragging rights as the best team in wakeboarding for the next 12 months.

The Pro Team Challenge will take place on Sunday, August 2nd at the Bow Lake Water Sports Complex in Bow, WA., just North of Seattle. At Bow Lake, riders will enjoy great water conditions in one of the top private water sports facilities in the Pacific Northwest. Currently three pro teams are scheduled to compete including two-time defending Champions, Team Hyperlite and Teams from CWB and Liquid Force, trying and de-throne the Champs.

Click the link for more info and to view the event flier.

Friends:

I got the chance to go and visit Brandon yesterday as he has already been moved out of the ICU! The doctors have labeled him the Miracle boy. They said that where he is at this point should have taken at least 3 months. God is healing B up double time!

He was super alert and his attitude was amazing. Positive, smiling and laughing at times, and the same old B-Rob we know and love. He may even be released much sooner than expected. That’s not to say he doesn’t still have a long recovery ahead…but knowing him he will turn long into much shorter than expected. Brandon did end up having his right foot amputated. This means he has some learning coming up with a new prosthetic. I know he will be back on the water and the mountain in no time as he told me just that! Please keep praying for his healing and recovery.

Brandon will have some medical costs for various things as you can imagine. Bakes has setup a donation fund for Brandon. If you would like to read more on that and donate to the fund, please visit www.bakesmarine.com/Brandon.

God Bless…please keep the prayers for healing and recovery coming for B.

Zack Clark

Northwest Rider Brandon Robins was in a serious dirtbike accident on July 4th and is currently undergoing various surgeries to repair injuries he sustained. Brandon is a staple in the Northwest wakeboarding scene and those of you that have met him know that he has a huge heart and is a true friend to those in his circle.

Our prayers are with him as he starts the long road to recovery. We will be setting up a fund for donations to help out on the medical costs soon.

We will keep everyone posted here at Wakeboard Northwest and also on NorthwestRiders.com.

Check out this look into the life of Rusty Malinoski. Rusty is a guy I respect because he looks at his wakeboarding as a career and puts in the work to be on top. Too often talented riders rise in the ranks and then fall hard because they take their skill and don’t make the most of it…Malinoski is a true pro athlete in the sport.

Season 10 of Fuel TV’s Firsthand features BC Canada’s Chad Sharpe. Sharpe grew up riding in BC and in Washington State and is now one of the most well known and respected riders in the sport of wakeboarding today.

You can check out Chad on the newest episode now:

Wakeboarder Chad Sharpe rides in Washington, has a nighttime rail session, and films for Billabong’s “Out of the Pond.”

A few weeks ago Wakeboard Northwest and Northwest native and Florida nomad Nick Jones got together on the ‘ol telephone and came up with the idea of having Jones be the official northwest news correspondent in Florida.

Jones will be giving his two cents to a dollar and change here on the site on a regular basis. This is the first of what we hope to be many articles to come.

On another note…today is Mr. Jones’s birthday…so Happy B-Day Nick! Click on to read his introduction to wakeboardnorthwest.com.

Northwest native Nick Jones explains the backside 180. When done right this is arguably the most stylish trick you can add to your bag.

Read on and have a look at the video as Nick explains the progression of the trick and gives you his take on one of wakeboarding’s most respected moves.

12 spots are available for the Portland, OR stop in West Linn (10th St) on the Willamette River.

- September 20, 2008 -

Sign up NOW by clicking - HERE -

OR

Visit NorthwestRiders.com

Ride behind the best wake boat in the industry, with the latest and greatest in gear available to use.

Only $100 gets you:

- Two 20 minute sets behind our all new 2008 Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV
- Professional instruction from Brent Starr and other Northwest Riders
- Free Lunch & T-Shirt
- Prizes and Giveaways
- Tons of demo gear available from: Slingshot, Straight Line, and others

Courtesy of PDXWake.com :

THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE CONTINUED USE OF THE WILLAMETTE RIVER FOR RECREATIONAL BOATING, YOU BETTER TAKE SOME TIME TO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. THIS IS A NUMBERS GAME, AND TO THIS POINT, THE PROPONENTS OF REGULATING OUR RIVER ARE THE ONLY ONES BEING HEARD. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR COMMENTS BY 9/9 IN ORDER FOR THEM TO MATTER.

ALSO YOU SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND THE SEPTEMBER 9 MEETING IN WILSONVILLE TO DISCUSS THIS PROPOSAL. IT IS AT THE CLACKAMAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (WILSONVILLE CAMPUS) ROOM 111-112. BE THERE BY 6 AS SEATING WILL BE LIMITED.

Please take a few minutes to email comments to the Oregon State Marine Board about their rulemaking proposals for the 17 mile stretch of the Willamette River from Newberg to Canby:

1) Eliminate 180 degree turns under power

2) Require a minimum 200� distance when following a boat towing someone

3) Require boats within 200� of all docks to operate at 5mphs

4) Eliminate the use of ballast and any uneven seating of passengers

Direct contact info, to send your comments and emails, is posted after the jump. Please show up for the meeting tomorrow….