Summer in southern Saskatchewan, Canada is finally here and in full force! This became clear this past weekend as the first annual Wakeride 2009 wakeboard charity event took place on the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The first ever charity event was organized to support Kids Sport and the White Buffalo Youth Lodge. Wakeride 2009 organizers Nicole Martini and Gregg Bamford along with the support of Mike Napper from Backside Boardshop and several other major sponsors planned a weekend filled with live bands, a grass routes wakeboard competition, huge parties and one of the most talented line ups of pro riders Saskatchewan has seen in a long time. Highlighted by Rusty Malinoski, Shawn Watson, Jimmy Lariche, Kyle Rattray, Trevor Hansen and also included local Saskatchewan pro riders Ashley Leugner, Anthony Hollick, Dylan Miller and Craig & Mark McMorris. The proven professionals and talented up and coming locals all came out for the event, donating their time over the weekend to show off there skills to the province of Saskatchewan , signing autographs and enjoying the beautiful southern Saskatchewan weather.

The weekend proved to be one that was full of excitement as the pro riders all road several sets on Saturday and Sunday, impressing the crowds over and over again as they watched the full days activates. In between the pro rider sets, the amateur wake boarders competed in a three tiered division (Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Advanced) and didn’t disappoint the crowds after seeing some of the best in the world rip it up on their home river. It was especially rewarding for local pro rider Rusty Malinoski, originally from Humboldt, Saskatchewan to return to his home province and spend the weekend giving back to the community, as well see that the local wakeboard scene is stronger than ever and the talent is still growing and developing.

The weekend turned out to be a huge success not only in overall attendance in two action packed days but the event ended up raising over $60,000.

The results for Grassroots at Wake Ride '09

Intermediate I:

1. Logan Zepshela

2. Cody Lewis

3. Parker Schwinghammer

Intermediate II:

1. Marcus Schuler

2. Jackson Running

3. Brittan Calibaba

Advanced:

1. Alan Verbeke

2. Mike Alport

3. Josh Dutchak

Huge shout out to Dylan Miller for taking me out on the Seadoo and getting in nice and tight for the photos, as well as everyone evolved in making this event a huge success.

Sponsors Involved:Wired 96.3,Backside boardshop,Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation, Sasktel, Cameco, Stein Electric Ltd. Scotiabank, Assante, Saskatchewan Blue cross, Mondovi Publishing Barndog Productions Inc. Dundee Developments, Kota graphics, Bridge city Auto, Saskatoon Fastprint, Innovative Stoneworks, Gravis, Ronix, AKP clothing, Anon and Hyperlite