An HD video By Stoke International! General Public Invited!

Michigan will be both the location and the celebrity in a film being shot this summer in the state’s best wakeboarding destinations, with the state’s best riders, by a national video crew unparalleled in the art of filming in high definition (HD).

The July 24 through August 3 filming will take place in 11 different locations ranging from Grand Rapids to Petoskey, including Lake Payne, Gun Lake, Torch Lake, Lake Michigan, Lake Charlevoix, and Walloon Lake. The general public is invited to launch their boats or reserve their favorite dock lounger to watch what the industry calls “an epic adventure.”

Nick Madrick, owner of Stoke International Clothing and one of the sponsors is the architect behind the project. “This film is a tribute to Michigan, its welcoming waters, its native riders and the wakeboarding lifestyle that has intensified in the Midwestern United States, he said.”

Never before has a more impressive and dynamic group of professionals collaborated to promote the Michigan wakeboarding scene. Native sons and competitive riders, Jarrett Clark and Andrew Noel will be riding, along with David Booko, and Ryan Bezemek. Tony Carroll will also wing in from Florida. Carroll, 21, competes on the pro tour and is sponsored by Stoke International, CWB Board Co. EPIC Wake Boats, Body Glove, Tidal Audio, CIE, and Proline.

Jonathan Pears, from thewakeplace.com, one of the foremost HD video wakeboarding websites in the world, will also be flying into Michigan for the film project. The wakeboarders won’t be the only ones performing risky stunts. Videographers will be shooting from chase boats, tubes, from the tow boat itself, on land and from the air so they can capture every angle of the riders.

This is going to be one of those great adventures,” said Tony Carroll. “It will give us an opportunity to both explore and ride Michigan waterways, but to introduce all the state has to offer to wakeboarding enthusiasts around the world.”

Once completed, the film will be featured on stokeinternational.com, thewakeplace.com, at the Surf Expo trade show in Orlando, and on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, and YouTube.

Now let’s meet the Stoke riders and discover what drives them to “get wrecked and do it again.” (Carroll)

Tony Carroll, 21, is in his sixth year of wakeboarding. He is sponsored by Stoke International, CWB Board Co. EPIC Wake Boats, Body Glove, Tidal Audio, CIE, and Proline.

His stance is “all the way out and ducked,” and he prefers performing his favorite trick, a mute backside 180, “as big as humanly possible,” behind an EPIC 23V. His choices of riding spots include the California Delta and Orlando Florida.

He explains his love of riding this way: “I was always the one who wanted to try things first, go as big as possible, get wrecked, and do it again. Wakeboarding puts that all together, and it’s amazing.”

When he’s not in the water, Carroll plays basketball with friends and just being outside. “Sushi always rocks: too.” Whether he’s riding, playing, eating or playing, he says his favorite Stoke tee is the Metro. “I like a normal black tee with some colors that pop”!

Stoke has special meaning for Tony. “Stoke is a great word. Its something that expresses the way I want to live my life. Its fun and powerful at the same time and is awesome because it can be mixed with words like super. Just say it, Super Stoke; that’s what it’s all about : FUN”!

At 22, Jarrett Clark has been riding for eight years and is currently sponsored by Stoke International and The Edge. He rides with a 25 ½ stance on a Liquid Force Lyman 139. His boat of choice is a Malibu, and his idyllic water is Walloon Lake, Michigan.

He gets a shot of adrenaline every time he rides, especially when he sticks a Melon FS 180. “Not many activities allow you to cruise above the water and boost into the air at the same time.”

When he’s not in the water, over the water, or in a boat, Jarrett has set his sights on earning an MBA. In every case, he’s sporting his favorite Stoke tee: the Fusion. “Stoke reminds me that there are many alternatives to conformity. Unlike the majority of other clothing companies, Stoke inspires me and provides an extra form of expression.”

David Booko has been pursuing the sport of wakeboarding for just four years and in this short time has earned sponsorship through Stoke International and The Edge. His stance is regular, his setup, Liquid Force, his boat, a Malibu Wakesetter LSV.

You can usually find Booko on Corey Lake, Three Rivers, Michigan sticking his favorite trick:
the toeside off axis olay 720. When asked why he rides, he gives a most honest answer: “I ride because it’s so unique; there’s nothing like it. If there’s something cheaper I could do to mimic the feeling of being out there going BIG and rippin’ it up with my homeboyz I’d love to hear it...cause I’m about broke.”

When he’s not on the water David is thinking about wakeboarding and wearing Stoke gear, especially the Controlled Insanity tee in blue. “STOKE brings to mind: hanging with good friends, always having a good time, making memories, and living life with no regrets.”


When Andrew Noel isn’t on the water – which is only when he stops to eat – the 20-year old, with a 26 stance, is doing a nose press, tail blunt, floaty backside 180 or trying some new neck-breaking trick. Andy’s setup is a Liquid Force, Watson 142 and a Mastercraft X2.

Andy attends school in Winter Park, Florida, so he rides there, but he prefers the Caribbean-like waters of Walloon Lake, Michigan.

Why does he ride? Simply put: “I ride to live. It’s the greatest feeling out there. I love how intense it is, and I love kicking it with my bro’s on the boat all day.”
When he’s on dry land he spends his time living life, rocking Stoke, and playing the guitar, drums and women.” And how does he get his women? Wearing his favorite Stoke gear: the 80's Tee, the Inkblot, or a big Easy Tee.

Duncan Lake is Ryan Bezemek’s hot spot. For six years, the 20 year-old has been perfecting countless tricks, the Heelside fs 540 nosegrab among his favorite. If you’re lucky enough to be a spectator watching this rider on his Liquid Force Lyman, you’ll probably be riding in a Malibu VYX and you’ll recognize his stance as all the way out, 15 degrees – 15 degrees.

When Bezemek can’t ride, which he describes as “the best feeling in the whole world,” he’s snowboarding, attending school and hustling, always hustling – in his favorite Stoke tee, of course – the East Tee in Black Chrome. “To me Stoke means fun, style, chillin’, partyin’, epic.”

July 24
Jon-Tony-Chad in Detroit
(Start filming plane ride from FL/CA)

July 25
Location 1:
Wake Wars in Grand Rapids

Location 2:
-6-9 AM film on Lake Payne
(Boat shots, chase boat shots, tube shots, rail shots)
-12-4 PM film at Wake Wars Comp
-5-10 PM film on Lake Payne

July 26
Location 3:
-6-9 AM film on Gun Lake
-12-4 PM film at Wake Wars Comp

Location 4:
-5-9 PM film on Reeds Lake

(Pack up Sunday night and head to Kalamazoo to 5th location for filming)

July 27
Location 5:
-6-9 AM film on Corey lake
-Stoke kicker over section of sand bar
-12 PM head North to 6th location for filming

Location 6:
-4-9 PM film on Torch Lake, Traverse City

July 28
Location 7:
-6am-10pm film on Walloon Lake, Petoskey MI
-Stoke rail/winch system will be filmed

July 29
Location 8:
6am-10pm film on Little Traverse Bay, Lake MI
-Aerial footage from plane over Lake MI


July 30
Location 9:
-6am-10pm film on Lake Charlevoix
(Break wall shots/Beach shots)

July 31
Location 10:
-6-10 AM Torch Lake, Traverse City

August 1-3
-Film on Walloon Lake

*Times and location subject to change based upon weather and water conditions

About Stoke International (http://stokeinternational.com/)
Stoke International designs Stoke designs distinctive lifestyle clothing for men and women. S.T.O.K.E. is an acronym for, “Seeking To Open Klosed Eyes.” Our goal is to inspire everyone who chooses our gear – from tees to hats to boardshorts - to live each day to the fullest.

Highly regarded for inspirational hand-drawn graphics, comfort, fit and affordability, Stoke has attracted an ever-growing band of enthusiasts who roam the planet scouting for the biggest wave, the highest jump, the smoothest water and the perfect session.

So…whether you jump, roll, compete, launch, dive, ollie, slide, party or just hang...it’s time to get your Stoke on.


To be a part of this epic project, which showcases Michigan’s premiere wakeboarding locations, riders and videographers, and the Stoke lifestyle, contact Nick Madrick at or 231-330-1550. For a preview of the fun, check out the Thewakeplace.com (http://www.thewakeplace.com) or request a sample video from Stoke.

Stoke International (http://stokeinternational.com/)