Fastforward a bit to today, January 8, of 2010. I am writing this post as an update to those of you that still loyally check out this site and to those of you that have always supported me since 2005. Based on the numbers, there are plenty of you still tuning in.

A Brief History

I started Wakeboard Northwest (WBNW) in April of 2005 as a hobby. As I moved to the Seattle, WA area shortly thereafter, the site grew as I became more involved in the industry through retail, events, and just getting out there and riding more…meeting new people and fans of wake.

The crew at Bakes Marine introduced me to their network which included the likes of Sean Kilgus (BFY Productions), Greg Young (Northwest Riders Clothing Co.), Bryan Myss (Action Sports Photographer), John Thorburn (NMTA), many of the Malibu Boats family, and a ton of others. As these relationships grew, WakeboardNorthwest.com did also.

In 2006, I became part owner of Northwest Riders Clothing Company and started splitting time between that, Bakes, and WBNW. The close ties between the three companies allowed all to slowly pick up steam and benefit from each of the individual successes that were had.

As time has gone on my personal resources have been pulled, stretched, and bounced all over the map. Late last year (2009), I decided to make WBNW a part of the Northwest Riders vision. Heading into 2010 there are a lot of ideas being researched and planned on how best to move WBNW forward. Rest assured, this web site is still in its infancy and will be back better than ever very soon.

What Can You Do?

If you are a rider, reader, photographer, video guru, writer, comedian, technology wizard, or just a wake enthusiast…we NEED to hear from you! Leave a comment at the bottom of this post and introduce yourself. Tell us who you are, what you do, and why you enjoy wake. We want to make you a part of the site moving forward. We need your opinions, likes, dislikes, ideas, and collective creativity to bring the best content possible in the years ahead.

What To Expect

WakeboardNorthwest.com will still have a lull before it gets back up and running. Until then, keep checking in and leaving your comments. This is currently a one man show and we all know that the power of the web and the wake world lies in community. I will post more details in the months to come.

Thanks again to all of you that have not stopped supporting us!

Sincerely,

Zack Clark

Redmond, WA - After 36 years, Radar Events, LLC is excited to announce the opening of Radar Lake to the public. We invite you to water ski, wakeboard, stay at the cozy log cabin, host a business or social event or say your “I Do’s” on over 120 acres of majestic grounds and breathtaking views.

Radar Lake is considered one of the first man-made water sport lakes on the planet. This is where you will discover Radar Lake and its spectacular setting first hand, nestled in the foothills of Redmond, close to the city, yet secluded by nature. It has been part of hundreds of professional titles, numerous world records, world champions and the world’s most legendary ski shapes in modern design.

Radar Lake is the centerpiece of the industry’s newest, most progressive company, Ronix Wakeboards.

You will find eternal glass waters and solitude. We invite you to host your event and wakeboard with us.View more at radarlakeevents.com.

Radar Events, LLC (d/b/a Radar Lake Events) is a family owned business started in June, 2009, but has hosted exclusive events since 1973. Radar Events provides venue service for waterskiing, wakeboarding, company picnics, corporate events, reunions and more.

Northwest Riders Clothing Company will have a clinic on Mason Lake (Grapeview, WA) this coming Thursday and Friday, August 13-14.

There are 12 spots available Thursday, Aug. 13 and 12 spots available Friday, Aug. 14. Lead coach is NWR team rider Brent Starr (The Butter Effect). Participants get two hours in the boat and 40 minutes of riding for just $100. Call Greg for more info or to sign up: 425.220.0675

Location:
820 E Mason Lake Dr. S
Grapeview, WA 98546

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.

The event kicks-off at 10am with a wake skate competition , followed by a traditional wakeboard boat competition, both run behind the tournament Malibu Competition Wakeboard boat. Finally riders will compete in a rail jam on several new rails custom built for the Pro Team Challenge competition.

Already scheduled to compete are Northwest resident rail-master Mikey Ennen, Kevin Henshaw, Rusty Malinosky, Bob Soven, Jimmy LaRiche, Jacob Valdez and wakeskaters Brian Grubb, James Balzer with more to come. The event is sanctioned by the World Wakeboard Association (WWA) and will be filmed for national broadcast on several industry web sites including action sports leader, Fuel.tv and Alliancewake.com.

Tickets for the Pro Team Challenge are available for free at EVO Gear in Seattle and participating Malibu Boat Dealerships throughout the Northwest while supplies last. Tickets will also be available at the gate - $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children (12 and under).

The Pro Team Challenge is sponsored in part by Monster Energy Drink, Malibu Boats and local Malibu Dealer - Bakes Marine. Media partners include Alliance Wakeboard Magazine, Wakeworld.com, Northwestriders.com, The Seattle Weekly and 92.9 KISM-FM.

For local accommodations, The Skagit Casino and Skagit Ridge Hotel are about one mile away from Bow Lake, site of the 2009 Pro Team Challenge.

Skagit Valley Casino Resort
5984 N Darrk Ln,
Bow, WA. 98232
(360)724-7777

Suites are $149/night (if you sign up for a free rewards card at check in - $169 if you don’t) or 2 Queen Beds or 1 King for $99/night

The Skagit Ridge Hotel is across the street
2 Queens or 1 King - $89/night

Additional event information available at www.MalibuSeries.com .

MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Geiger (817) 395-3993 –
geigermedia@sbcglobal.net

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

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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.

The photos are a bit dark … but I am liking what I’m seeing.

Malibu has led the charge in tower design and performance for many years. This year we expand the technological edge over our competitors with the new Illusion G3 gas-spring assisted tower featuring weightless fold down.

From the solid foundation of billet aluminum bases to the billet tower support wings backing the 3” stainless steel hoop the Illusion G3 is unshakeable. The Illusion G3 features dual gas spring shocks to assist in creating the feature of weightless fold down. This new feature now enables you to fold down the tower in minutes, even by yurself. The new tower design incredibly blends the best of form and function in creating the most advanced tower on the market today. The G3 is also accessories-rich featuring a set of two Titan spinner/slide-off wakeboard racks standard.

Washington Wake Fest on Moses Lake
Wakeboard and Wake Skate Event hosted by the INT League

Moses Lake, WA (June 10, 2009) - Wake it up Moses Lake! The INT League is coming to town for the first Washington Wake Fest on Moses Lake, a wakeboard and wake skate event. Amatuer and pro wakeboarders and skaters are invited to come and compete. The Wake Fest will be held at Connelly Park. This event will be the third stop on the INT 2009 tour.

The INT League offers divisions for wakeboarders and wake skaters from novice all the way up to pro. Each division is based on ability level, providing a non-intimidating environment for participants to compete against competitors of similar ability levels. INT offers divisions for both kids and adults. INT events are competitions to improve your riding ability level, learn new tricks and meet new friends. Riders can show off the tricks and style for bragging rights and a trophy!

INT is using a slightly different format for this event to give riders more time on the water; each rider will have two rounds to log their best score. Round one will go on Saturday and round two will be on Sunday. Each round will be 4 minutes long, with the potential to do 20-24 tricks per round (depending on the division). There will be no fall limits! Riders will be scored according to trick points (each trick is assigned a point value), and style: composition, amplitude and technicality.

The best score of the two rounds will determine which riders advance to the final round. The top 3 riders in each division will go onto the final round on Sunday. The final round will be two passes and 2 falls (standard INT format.)

Competitors can register online at http://www.intleague.com/washington. Onsite registration and check-in will open at 7:30am Saturday. The tournament will commence at 8:30am with the National Anthem. The running order will be announced onsite on Saturday morning. Spectators are welcome. Paid camping is available at the state park. The park will charge a $3.00 park entrance fee. Ages 12 and under are free. Entry is charged daily.

The Washington Wakefest event is the third stop on the INT 2009 tour. Stop 4, the INT Slalom Shoot out is at Sun Basin Ski Ranch, Moses Lake, July 18-19. The fifth and sixth events will be held at Bow Lake, Bow, August 15-16. This event is sponsored by the INT League National Sponsors, as well as local sponsors: Bakes Marine, Wiley’s Pro Shop, Monster Energy Drink, Seattle Water Sports, Pacific Nautique, and Gonnason’s Boats and hosted by: Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District

About the INT League
The INT League hosts amateur and pro waterski, wakeboard, kneeboard, and wake skate tournaments nationwide in an effort to grow grassroots watersports. For more information please see the INT website at http://www.intleague.com.