Last Saturday, July 26th featured some of the biggest; booted double ups ever witnessed in the Northwest as the 4th annual BAKES NWI competition took flight. In all, 11 riders took to the milder than normal waters of south Lake Washington at Coulon Park. Many of the competitors were familiar to the event with a few brand new faces mixed in.

This year’s event showcased the best riding ever seen for the 4th Annual Bakes NWI. Riders pulled out some insane tricks and showed that even in tough conditions, they were the best in the Northwest. Read up on the full breakdown … after the jump.

The 2008 Bakes NWI Double Up Competition is a little over a week away and the anticipation is building. Can two time defending champ Bret van den Heuvel secure his place atop the podium with a three-peat? Will Original title holder Nick Jones once again take top spot? Or will one of the newcomers unseat the throne and become only the third name to fill the last line in the brackets?

These questions will be answered on Saturday, July 26th from Renton, WA at Gene Coulon Park. Come out and see the best wakeboarders from the Northwest take to the water and compete in a double up shootout. Big air, big tricks, and big bragging rights on the line.

Read the official press release and get more info … after the jump.

Bakes Board & Ski in Issaquah, WA is having a demo featuring Byerly Wakeboards and Hyperlite Wakeboards. Come out to Lake Sammamish State Park on Thursday, June 26 and strap in to try out the latest and greatest in gear from two of the top board brands in the industry. Scott Byerly, the legend himself, will be on hand hanging out and showing you his new gear. Come try the Byerly Monarch, Hyperlite Marek, and other buzz products.

More info and flier download is available … after the jump.

Event and Ticket Info posted after the jump……

As you may or may not have already heard, Northwest staple Chris Craig recently took the “initiation” many a wakeboarder does with the first major injury of his career. He did a number on his knee that ended his season back in October. We asked Chris about the knee and where he goes from here. Have a read … after the jump.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with W.I.T. Production’s front man Spencer Norris and ask a few questions about his upcoming film “One Eye Shut.” Norris has been filming with some of the Northwest’s top talent as well as some rippers from Florida and other areas across the US of A. The film is the follow up to his freshman effort “The Arrival” and by the looks of it, will be a great addition to the young filmers resume.

Check out the full interview … after the jump.

After a successful debut film, The Arrival by WIT Productions, Spencer Norris has been diligently filming his second video throughout the Summer and into the Fall. Known by the riders for some of his random on location antics including his patented cut off jean shorts and t-shirts, his strong obsession with his Hydrodyne, or body surf sessions with his trusty chase boat driver AJ…. Norris is without a doubt a young film maker that will continue to bring us wake videos in the years to come with Northwest style.

Did you know Spencer could wakeboard ? He not only can ride but he’s got style. Check out a few riding and lifestyle photos in a newly added photo gallery after the jump.

Thomas Olson has my vote as the most improved rider in the Northwest. I first met TO during the OBrien Team photoshoot last summer and saw his potential. Over the last year he has rode alongside NW veteran Bret V who has obviously helped Thomas with his style and confidence as a rider. TO, his given nickname, taught wakeboard lessons all summer with Matt V in Gig Harbor and still had time to film with Jared Eygabroad of Scratch Films and Spencer Norris of WIT Productions. Continue to look out for this young rider to make noise in Northwest and throughout the wake industry in the years ahead.

Check out Thomas Olson’s photo gallery from the Central Washington Filming trip after the jump.

Brandon Robins spent the last part of the season filming with Spencer Norris of WIT Productions. The filming sessions took place on Lake Tapps and in Central Washington. He is now busy working at BAKES Marine in Issaquah preparing for the snow season ahead.

We will be adding many more galleries and trip recaps over the next few weeks that will feature fellow Northwest Riders Alex Scagliotti, Rob Carter, and Thomas Olson from the Central Washington Filming trip with WIT Productions so keep checking back.

Click on the link to view the photo gallery of Brandon Robins after the jump.

It’s been three weeks since Nick Jones went into surgery to repair a Liz Frank Fracture (a tear of the ligament between the first and second metatarsal) in his foot which was slowly pulling the two bones apart. He has been dealing with the injury most of the season since January when the initial fracture occurred. Now post surgery, Nick is in good spirits and on the road to recovery.

The surgery was successful from what his doctors say. While in the recovery room, Dr. Chi explained that once he removed the scared tissue from the injured area, the bones that were separated went right back in place. Dr. Chi says that the procedure went far better than he expected it would.

Read a post surgery interview with Nick Jones and see x-rays taken during his surgery after the jump.