(Merced, CA) - The longest running and most well known WWA amateur wakeboard series, NorthWest Sessions, welcomes Malibu Boats as a grassroots riding partner in 2003. Together with the participation of some of Malibu's most dedicated Northwest dealers, Malibu Boats and NWS are raising the bar for amateur wakeboard competitions. These tournaments are changing the face of wakeboard events and disrupting lakes from Washington to Idaho.
In February of 2002 Malibu Boats began their relationship with NWS, but the series has been shredding the Northwest scene since 1996. The oldest tour of its kind, the NorthWest Sessions has paved the way for almost every wakeboard tournament to follow, including national and pro events. NWS developed the first "Subjective" judging system for wakeboard events. This same style of ranking is now standard on the US and World Pro Tour circuits. NorthWest Sessions has also acted as a test bed for other prestigious events like Boardstock and the Pacific Wakeboard Championships.
Aside from competitions NWS is doing the Northwest proud in the movies. The NorthWest Sessions crew has been featured in two extreme wakeboarding videos. Filmed by Bfy Productions "The Concussion Project" and "My Side" expose the science behind NWS and illustrate just how dedicated the riders are to the exposure and growth of the sport of wakeboarding.
Powering into their 8th season, NWS is perpetuating their evolution by hooking-up with the water sports industry's leading tow boat manufacturer, Malibu Boats.
"It seamed only right, as we gain speed towards expanding our events into new regions with more coordinators outside of the Northwest, that we hook up with the fastest growing boat company in our sport," says Rob Hyatt Founder and Front-man for NWS.
Malibu's support for NWS is not limited to schwag, co-branded ads or sponsorship fees. The diehard Malibu boat dealers of the Northwest are the power behind Malibu's' extreme participation. Malibu dealerships like Bake's Marine in Issaquah, WA, Sundown Marine in Richland, WA and Idaho Water Sports in Caldwell, ID are pushing Malibu's role with the NWS to a precedent-breaking level. The dealers hold up Malibu's end of the agreement with NWS on a local level and the Malibu factory harnesses the latest technology to provide a rippin' Wakesetter VLX to pull the athletes to the top of their game.
Speaking of "A" games, Malibu has recruited the help of the NorthWest Sessions' top semi-pro riders to help promote Malibu Boats, NWS and the sport. Mike & Nick Ennen, Bret van den Heuvel, Daniel Bergman and new addition Brent Starr dedicate their fair share of energy to NWS. These
five riders go off in competition and still make it back down to earth to encourage the younger participants and further the sport all from behind a Wakesetter VLX.
"Everyone is impressed by the boat's extremely large wake and fine craftsmanship" states Mitch Trotter, NWS On-Water Operations Manager and certified WWA driver. "I love hearing the riders' amazements when they hit the Wakesetter VLX wake for the first time!"
Malibu affiliation with NWS is overseen by Mark Gibbs, Malibu Boats' Northwest Sales Manager. Gibbs works with participating dealers and Malibu's NWS semi-pro wakeboard team to make sure the series and Malibu Boats is doing everything possible for the participants. Just like the constant pursuit of tow-boat perfection, the Malibu Boats family is constantly striving to improve customer relationships as well as the world of water sports.
"Working with these riders and dealers pumps me up, no other group could do a better job promoting the sport of wakeboarding and Malibu Boats," Gibbs raves. "They are tireless and they posses infectious enthusiasm that makes you want to ride all out and do it behind a Malibu."
Joe Neese the NWS Events Operation Manager says, "We are so pumped to have Malibu on board, they are a great company that has been pushing the envelope for some time now and the results show." Neese continued by saying, "The boats are extremely well designed, with both the riders and passengers needs in mind."
To stay up on NWS happenings, go to http://www.nwsessions.com
for information on format, divisions, event dates, locations and results.
For more NorthWest Sessions information, contact Joe Neese, NWS Operations manager at joe@nwsessions.com.
MAY
17th - Bow Hill Lake, Bellingham, WA - Bake's Marine
31st - Winlock Waters, Winlock, WA - Bake's Marine
JUNE
21st & 22nd - Columbia River, Tri Cities, WA - Sundown Marine
JULY
19th - Capitol Lake, Olympia, WA - Bake's Marine
AUGUST
16th & 17th - Boise, ID - Idaho Water Sports
SEPTEMBER
6th - Lake Sammamish, Redmond, WA - Bake's Marine
DOUBLE-UP & SLIDER EVENTS
June 21st & 22nd - Columbia River, Tri Cities, WA - Sundown Marine
August 16th & 17th - Boise, ID - Idaho Water Sports
