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.

Do you want to learn how to wakeboard or wakesurf this summer ? Do you live in the Inland Northwest (Spokane / Coeur D’Alene Area) ? If so, we strongly recommend you check out the Hayden Board School Coached by Hunter Graham.

Last year I first met Hunter Graham during a Slingshot Demo with area youth. Justin Meyer, the Slingshot Tech Rep, had told me about this up and coming rider who’s positive attitude for the sport of Wake was contagious. Hunter is going to be a Northwest Rider you will hear about in the years ahead. WakeboardNorthwest will continue to support Hunter and regional riders that have a common goal to grow the sport throughout the Northwest and beyond.

All the details for the Hayden Board School, coached by Hunter Graham, are posted after the jump.

The Northwest Riders 2008 Summer Wake Tour is almost here! With stops in Idaho only a handful of days away, sign-ups are open. Head over the NorthwestRiders.com and reserve your spot while you can.

Going on year four, the Northwest Riders Summer Clinic Tour blankets the Northwest bringing world class professional instruction to riders all over the region. Malibu pro team rider Brent Starr serves as head coach with the all new 2008 Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV wake machine churning out the best wake in the business.

For info on the 2008 tour including dates and links to sign-up read more … after the jump.

A few weeks ago, a group of nine brave souls embarked on a quest to pull off the unthinkable…five boardsports in a single day. The Northwest is one of the only places I could think of that would even cater to the idea of this many boardsports in one outing. The group consisted of NWR skater Jake Waldrop, NWR Skimboarders Bryce Hermansen and Richard Docter, NWR owners Greg Young and Myself (Zack Clark), and friends Kyle Klube, Ray Durkee, AJ Koenig, and Chris Hudspith.

The event took 21 hours to complete and luckily fell on a day that topped 75 degrees plus giving perfect weather and conditions for each sport. In the end, everyone was exhausted and extremely stoked to have been a part of something so unique and so unheard of.

Read a recap of the day from the mind of Greg Young of Northwest Riders Clothing Company … 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.

Here is a little more information on the Wake VIP Party going down tomorrow night (Friday Jan. 25, 7-10PM). Capacity is 200 people so show up early. There will be riders, giveaways, videos, the works. This happens at the Fox Sports Lounge at Qwest Convention Center where the Seattle Boat Show is being held. Your boat show ticket will get you in so hold on to it for access.

The nitty gritty details … 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.

Our furry friend, Wake Wookiee, is back with another article. This time he “interviewed” Northwest Wakeboarding Legend Bret V.

“Along with being a first-class ladies-man and a world-renowned wakeboarder, Bret V can now add “great American novelist” to his resume. Gentleman, Boater, Scholar: The Bret V Saga is a triumphant story of how a middle-class white boy overcomes the odds and becomes a first-rate Gentleman, Boater, and Scholar—and along the way, learns a few things about the human condition. V is for Victorious.”

Read the entire “month” long interview that took place over email 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.