Yesterday afternoon, at Coulon Park in Renton on the shores of Lake Washington, Thomas Olson landed a toeside 900 in the finals to WIN his first BAKES NWI title against defending 2 time Champion Bret V. Everyone who showed up to watch the NWI witnessed a passing of the torch between these long time friends from Gig Harbor. Many folks know that Bret V has been a mentor and significant influence in Thomas Olson’s wake career to this point. The 4th Annual BAKES NWI had the teacher give way to the protege’ in the closest finals decision the event has ever seen…

Congratulations Thomas Olson… we are proud of you bro ! And thanks to all the other invited riders who threw down with style and showmanship. This had to be one of the best wake comps I’ve been to locally.

* Check back this week for a full recap and photo galleries from this weekends BAKES NWI.

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1st - Thomas Olson (Gig Harbor, Washington)
Sponsors : BAKES Marine, Northwest Riders Clothing, OBrien Wakeboards

2nd - Bret V (Gig Harbor, Washington)

Sponsors : BAKES Marine, Malibu Boats, OBrien Wakeboards, Straight Line

3rd - Sam Cole (Oregon)

Sponsors : Active Water Sports, Slingshot Wakeboards

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* Biggest Air - Bret V (Heelside Indy Front)

* Best Trick - Thomas Olson (Toeside 900 in the Finals)

2008 BAKES NWI Rider List :

Bret V (Washington)
Brandon Robins (Washington)
Nick Jones (Washington)
Sam Cole (Oregon)
Nick Cardoza (SW Washington)
Nick Haisch (Washington)
Jeff Fabiani (Washington)
Rob Carter (Central Oregon)
Hunter Graham (Idaho)
Zach Schneider (Oregon)
Thomas Olson (Washington)
Chris Craig (Washington)

* Come out and root on riders from all over the Northwest region this Saturday at Coulon Park in Renton @ 10am.

We posted a link to last years recap and photo galleries, as well as a link to the video that aired last night on King5 Evening Magazine featuring Thomas Olson. Check them out.

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.

Scratch Films new flick “Godspeed” is set to Premiere tonight (Friday, March 21). The party will go down in Kirkland, WA and is sure to be a good time. There are some great giveaways and a ton of Northwest wakers will be on hand.

All the information … after the jump.

Do you hear that? That is the sound of yet another fantastic Northwest Summer approaching. Okay…so last Summer was a bit off in terms of the perfect weather, but we all managed to have a blast nonetheless. This season is shaping up to be a great one and with it comes the kickoff of the 2008 Northwest Riders Clothing Company Summer Tour presented with Malibu Boats. The gang has a sweet new Wakesetter 23 LSV and plenty of other new additions to the NWR family.

Check out the press release for a look at the upcoming year for Northwest Riders Clothing Company … after the jump.

Scratch Films new flick “Godspeed” is set to release soon. To set off the occasion, there will be multiple premieres over the next few months. “Godspeed” is the follow up to “Evergreen,” “The Good Times,” and “The Good Times 2.” The video is getting plenty of coverage and should feature the same great riding and fun times in wake as prior releases.

Take a look at the details … after the jump.

The newly updated Slingshot Wakeboard web site has a familiar face on the Team page for 2008. Brandon Robins of Lake Tapps, WA has been on the Slingshot Regional team from the early stages of the company and has a new Bio page on the site. Robins has worked on staying injury free this “off-season” (He skis/snowboards 125+ times a season) and is looking to get a ton of water time for ‘08.

Link to his Bio page … 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.