Morning Set with Sean Kilgus, Brandon Robins, and Chris Craig

Words & Photos by Bryan Myss

Out on the water I was reminded of how lucky we are to live in the Pacific Northwest. It is absolutely beautiful here. The cascades within view, Mt. Rainer snow capped summit visible from the lake, and the water…. a refreshing 65 degrees.

Brandon was first to ride. As a pro-shop manager, he has the privilege of testing all the NEW gear that is out on the market. Today he rode the Slingshot Response. He was right at home on this board with his riding style. If you want to know what he thought of the board, check back for his Slingshot review. Brandon can also help you with any equipment needs this season. Stop by BAKES in Issaquah and say hello. In between his duties at the BAKES, Robins still finds the time to ride with his friends throughout the NW region, from Lake Tapps to Sammamish. Last season he made an appearance in the wake film “The Arrival” produced by WIT Productions. In addition, he was asked to participate in the Malibu Catalog Photoshoot here in Seattle. Robins has represented the NW and BAKES Board & Ski Pro Team at the catalog shoot for the last couple years. Any rider that has been invited will say that it is an honor to be apart of the photoshoot.

Chris Craig then suited up for his set. As expected he went out and threw down a run that had huge amplitude and style. I’ve been impressed with Chris’s continued progression. He has grown heaps as a rider over the last couple years since I first met him during a morning shoot with Nick Jones and Greg Young of Northwest Rider Clothing. Craig, in his young career, has been featured in “The Good Times 1 & 2“, last year’s release by Spencer Norris “The Arrival”, on the pages of Alliance and Wakeboard Mag, and competed locally at the Bake NWI now in its 3rd year. He will not be slowing down this season at all with an overseas comp on schedule and other numerous photoshoots on tap. During the off season, Chris was signed to Ten-80 Clothing. In addition he is sponsored by BAKES, Malibu, OBrien Wakeboards, Arnette, and Samson Wake Towers.

Next up, Kilgus. Yes, I said Kilgus. Many of you know him as an industry leading film maker with Wake video titles from BFY Productions that we all own and watch over and over to get amp’d up for the season. Did you know he rides though? Kilgus is coming off a season last year that left him injured and unable to ride. I witnessed this first hand while we were down in Australia filming. Even with a slipped disc he was able to capture the highest level of riding by the worlds best. The result “Bent Felix”. He is now months into the filming of his new video “DRIVE”. I can’t wait for this video to release. If you are chomping at the bit to follow the filming process of “DRIVE”, check out the article in this months Wakeboard Mag. It was shot on location in AZ with Danny Harf, Rusty Malinoski, JD Webb, and Randall Harris, who is making a grand return to wakeboarding. Talk about an inspiring story in and of itself, Randall has been welcomed back with open arms. You can’t open a magazine or go to an industry site without reading something about his return to riding. The WakeNW Staff and other NW Riders are stoked that Kilgus is healthy again, inspired for his new film, and that he still finds the time to kick it with us NW locals even with his crazy filming schedule. (Kilgus- Thank you for bringing your new Malibu VLX Wakesetter out for the morning. That wake is PERFECT. Not sure if anyone else’s boat is throwing a wake that big, maybe Brent Starr’s Malibu. Anyway bro, lets meet up on the water sooner than later.)

Also out with us for this early morning set was Bess from BAKES Board and Ski. Bess loves wakeboarding. She gets together with a group of gals weekly to ride who all met at last summers Liquid Force MAVEN Clinic on Lake Sammamish. If you are a gal that wants to link up with other girls to ride with or learn to ride for the first time, drop us a line.

Tell us about your early season sets out on the water, where you are riding, and who you are riding with. We might just stop by and throw your story on the site. Check out the gallery of photos from our morning set on Lake Sammamish:

Gallery 1

Gallery 2

We will be posting industry news, regional stories, rider updates, and photo galleries throughout the season, so visit WakeboardNorthwest.com daily. The WakeboardNorthwest staff greatly appreciates your continued support.

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