PORTLAND - (July 18, 2006) – The Pro Wakeboard Tour returned to Portland, Oregon last weekend, but the party started Friday night at the Air Force Big Air Double-Up Contest and Pro Tour Pre-Party. The event got under way shortly after 7pm and wakeboard enthusiasts from across the Northwest lined the shores of Waterfront Park to witness 24 of the top pro and regional riders battle it out for the $5000 purse.

The riders were split into two heats with the top four (4) in each heat advancing to the finals. Each rider got two double-ups and was judged on their best of the two. At the end of the first heat it was Phillip Soven, Brett Eisenhauer, Ricky Gonzales and Rusty Malinoski who advanced to the finals. They were joined by Chad Sharp, Daniel Watkins, Danny Thollander and Nick Ennen from heat #2.

The sun had gone down by the time the finals started and even though numerous light towers were focused on the water…it was getting tough for the competitors to see the wake. Despite the conditions, the riders continued to charge the huge wake behind the Malibu boats pulling the event. Each rider got one final double-up to decide who would take home the cash. Three countries were represented on the podium as Canadian Rusty Malinoski launched a huge Switch Method Heel Side Mobe to lock up 1 st place and a check for $2500. Rusty also went on to win the Pro Wakeboard Tour event over the weekend. Second place and $1500 went to Ricky Gonzales from Bakersfield, Ca. for his stylish toe side Pete Rose. And it was Aussie Brett “Ike” Eisenhauer who took the third place spot and $1000 with a Slim Chance off the double-up.

The weather was perfect, the action on the water was exciting and the Portland crowd had a great time watching it all unfold. The huge wakes were provided by Malibu Boats as the event was pulled by the Bridge City Water Sports VLX and a 23 LSV provided by the crew from Wakeboard Northwest. At the conclusion of the double-up contest, spectators and competitors were invited out to the after-party at local hotspot, the Barracuda Night Club.

The Air Force Big Air Double-Up Contest and Pro Tour Pre-Party was organized by Geiger Media, Inc. in association with local Malibu Dealer, Bridge City Water Sports of Wilsonville, OR. The event was made possible with support from the US Air Force, Malibu Boats, Kicker Audio, Liquid Force, Reef Clothing, Fox Riders, Body Glove, Ten 80 Clothing, TBKS, Liquid Charge, Da Hui, Concept Entertainment Group, Rockstar Energy Drink and Wakeboard Northwest.com. Media partners included Alliance Wakeboard Magazine, KUFO-FM Radio and The Portland Mercury.