Pro Wakeboard Team Challenge
Returns to Pacific Northwest
BOW, WA. (July 22, 2009) – The 3rd Annual Pro Team Challenge wakeboard competition is returning to the Pacific Northwest. The three-part competition will feature some of the top pro riders in the world riding for their prospective board manufacturers, a chance to add their names to the Malibu Cup PTC trophy and bragging rights as the best team in wakeboarding for the next 12 months.
June 10, 2009 - 7am our wake buyer Gorio and the sales staff met at evo to head out to Nick Jobe’s place on Lake Sammamish where the crew would be testing out Ronix wakeboards and bindings before heading into the shop for the day…. Ronix products, busted ear drums, big air, great weather…awesome way to start the day!!
August 16th and 17th marked the second annual Malibu Pro Team Challenge. The scene at the campground was great - family and friends setting up camp for the weekend, watching in anticipation as teams Liquid Force, Ronix, Gator Boards, and defending champs, team Hyperlite battled it out for a grand prize of $25,000. The beautiful Silverlake Resort in Eatonville, Washington served as this year’s venue. The players included some of the top riders in the sport: Adam Errington, four time X-Game gold medalist Danny Harf, Mikey Ennen, Jimmy Lariche, AJ Racinelli, Bob Soven, and many more. These athletes teamed up to compete in three events: boat-pass, rail jam, and a double up contest - the perfect set up for the crowd’s viewing pleasure. The riding was incredible. Bill Geiger, creator of the event, remarked, “All these guys out here are killin’ it”.
The Malibu Pro Team Challenge is the only pro wakeboard event held in Washington, and, aside from being in evo’s backyard, it was super fitting as most of the board companies call the Northwest home. The audience and the participants seemed to think the venue ideal as well. Erick Ruch, a Hyperlite rider told evo, “It’s cool getting to see Mt. Rainer and everyone just hanging out by the campfire enjoying themselves. I think the whole idea for it [Malibu Pro Team Challenge] was to keep it intimate, a little more relaxed than normal events.”
Besides the wakeboarding competition, the weekend was packed with amazing weather, after-hours shindigs hosted by local sponsors, ride with the pros, and hob-knobbing with legends like Parks Bonifay and Gator. Spectators not only left with great stories, but also great swag. Raffles and giveaways included wakeboards from Hyperlite, a wakeskate by Ronix, vests from both O’Neill and Liquid Force, Ronix rope and wake handle, Malibu beach blankets, a signed board by Gator, and not to mention a ton of hats, t-shirts, coozies, and stickers.
Before the beginning of competition on Saturday, Malibu hosted a “ride with the pros” event., where, Mikey Ennen divulged some of his wake skill secrets. Later at the evo tent, Mikey Ennen was visibly stoked, “Yeah I took a little kid out riding, and taught him some basic skills: how to jump the wake, and he was going big,” pausing to laugh a little, “It was pretty awesome seeing a little grommet just charging.” Danny Harf of team Ronix also dropped by the evo tent to sign a Ronix board and chat with some fans. evo was interested in his thoughts on his first Malibu Pro Team Challenge, “We [normally] ride against these guys individually, so its kinda fun to cheer for your teammates while they’re going, and it’s a little less stressful out here, a relaxed environment, makes for a good time. The conditions are perfect, I can’t really ask for more.” But what about vendor sponsored parties?
Reps from Skull Candy, Monster Energy Drink, Reef, Ronix, Hyperlite, NW Riders Clothing Co, Bake’s, Von Zipper, and Liquid Force chilled, chatted and enjoyed cold Pyramid Brewery beer at Friday night’s festivities hosted by evo. Bake’s Saturday night VIP party included ample food, more Pyramid brew, and some impromptu Indo board demonstrations by riders and patrons.
Sunday morning brought the last day of competition, with the finals in the rail jam and double-up events. At the end of the day Jimmy Lariche was awarded overall best rider—a prize of $1,000, and team Hyperlite was crowned champions for the second year running winning the $25,000 purse. Participants, vendors and patrons a like left the lake asking what is in store for next year? Bill Geiger answered this question best, “Well I think the goal for everyone, evo, Alliance, and Malibu… is to absolutely keeping it in the Northwest, making it bigger, better, and more fun for everyone, every year as we go.” -Rhesa
Check back soon for video from this weekend’s comp. These guys go big. Like opening ceremony fireworks in Beijing big.
Results:
Boat Comp - 1st Place - Aaron Rathy - Hyperlite
2nd Place - JD Webb - Hyperlite
3rd Place - Bob Soven - LF
Double-Up - 1st Place - Danny Harf - Ronix
2nd Place - Jimmy Lariche -Hyperlite
3rd Place - Kevin Henshaw - LF
Rail Jam - 1st Place - Jimmy Larich - Hyperlite
2nd Place - Bob Soven - LF
3rd Place - AJ Racinelli - Gator
Overall Winner - Team Hyperlite (defending champions) with 240 points earning $24,000 and hanging on to the “Malibu Cup” for another year!
We are excited to announce that evo will be sponsoring the Malibu Pro Team Challenge taking place in our own back yard on August 16-17!!!
EATONVILLE, WA. (July 9, 2008) – With $25,000 on the line, the 2nd Annual Malibu Pro Team Challenge will be offering one of the biggest single event purses in the sport. The three part competition - boat pass, rail jam and double-up contest - will feature some of the top pro riders in the world riding for their prospective board manufacturers, a shot at the “winning-team-take-all” prize and bragging rights as the best team in wakeboarding for the next 12 months.
The Pro Team Challenge will take place August 16th and 17th at the Silver Lake Executive Resort in Eatonville, Washington…just South of Seattle. At Silver Lake, riders will enjoy great water conditions and a rustic Pacific Northwest setting, all in the shadow of Mount Rainier. Five pro teams are scheduled to compete including defending Champions, Team Hyperlite. Teams from CWB, Gator Boards, Liquid Force and Ronix will all be on-hand to try and de-throne the Champs.
The battle kicks-off on Saturday, August 16th at 12 noon with a traditional competition run behind the tournament Malibu boat. Saturday evening from 6p-9p, riders will compete in a pool-to-lake rail jam and Sunday, August 17th the competition will wrap up with the always exciting big air double-up contest.
Already scheduled to compete are current King of Wake point’s leader - Phillip Soven, 2007 Wakeboard Magazine Rider of the Year - Rusty Malinoski, four times X-Games Gold Medalist – Danny Harf, Randall “The Vandal” Harris, Chad Sharpe, Trevor Hanson and more. The event is sanctioned by the World Wakeboard Association (WWA) and will be filmed by Alliance Multi-Media for national broadcast on action sports leader, Fuel-TV.
Event tickets are available for free at Evo Gear in Seattle and at 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).
In addition to Malibu Boats, the Pro Team Challenge is sponsored in part by Monster Energy Drink, Indmar, Liquid Force Wakeboards, Hyperlite Wakeboards, CWB, Gator Boards, Ronix, Evo Gear, Northwest Riders Clothing and local Malibu Dealer - Bakes Marine. Media partners include Alliance Wakeboard Magazine, Wakeworld.com, The Seattle Weekly and The End 107.7 FM.
The Silver Lake Resort offers over 50 campsites and 30 RV hook-ups on-site. For directions and/or to reserve a spot, you can contact them at (253) 274-0277 or go to www.thesilverlakeresort.com
