Brandon Robins
Brandon Robins
Date of Birth: June 20, 1984
-foreword by Greg Young-
There are not enough words to express how much I respect and admire Brandon Robins. I’ve known him since right around the time the company started in 2004 and he’s been a good friend and a huge help to Northwest Riders since Day 1. Brandon looks like a tough guy, all covered in tats...but he’s as friendly as they come. He always has a positive attitude, a high-five waiting for you, and a word of encouragement for everyone he sees.
One classic example of Brandon being Brandon was a road trip we took in 2008. Brandon has helped out at various wakeboard clinics that we’ve put on, but on one particular trip Brandon and his girlfriend Krissy came on the road with us to the Tri Cities. Things started out great, Brent and I picked them up in the bus and we began the trek over the mountains. About 10 miles into the trip, the AC in the bus stopped working. Coincidentally we were having record highs that week and it was easily in the 90s that afternoon. Brent and I were fine in the front since we were next to the only 2 windows in the entire bus that rolled down. Brandon and Krissy were stuck in the back, where no cool air would reach, and it quickly reached furnace status. It had to be 120 degrees back there. To top it off, since we were pulling a 25 foot boat up a mountain pass behind a 30 foot bus on a 90 degree day, naturally the bus began to overheat. Because we had to drive at a snail's pace, what should have been a 2-3 hour drive took us 6. All the while, despite bright red faces and beads of sweat running down their faces, Brandon and Krissy were totally cool about it (no pun intended). They were just happy to be there, joining in on their part of a good story that we’d laugh about later. That is Brandon (and Krissy) every day.
In July of 2009, Brandon was involved in a terrible motorcycle accident. The paramedics that first arrived to the accident site declared him dead at the scene, not being able to find a pulse at first. He was taken by helicopter to Harborview, where he surprised everyone just by surviving the short flight. He was in a coma for several days, with brain swelling being a huge concern. When he eventually awoke from the coma, the first thing that he noticed was that his leg had been amputated below the knee and the pinky finger on his right hand had been sheared off during the crash. After only a few weeks in intensive care, he again surprised everyone (especially the doctors), having recovered enough to leave the hospital and heal from home. Since the accident, Brandon has beat the odds time and time again, being able to receive a prosthetic after only a few months, and also at being able to walk and even jog on it only weeks later (again, the learning process should have taken months or years). Five months after his accident, Brandon was able to drive to the mountains and take a couple runs down the mountain on his skis! If you watch the video, you’d never know he had a prosthetic (except when his leg fell off at one point, which he laughed pretty hard at when he told me the story).
Brandon’s quick recovery is a testament to his determination, persistence, and dedication to living life to the fullest. Even more impressive is the incredibly positive attitude he’s kept up throughout the whole process. Instead of getting down about the recent changes in his life, he continues to thank God everyday that he’s still alive. Brandon’s life, especially after his accident, continues to define the word inspirational.
Favorite Color:
Green
Favorite Animal:
Beaverdolphin
Favorite Travel Destination:
Wapato Lake, WA
I’ve been Wakeboarding Since I Was:
15 years old
Favorite Part of Wakeboarding:
The lifestyle
Least Favorite Part of Wakeboarding:
Getting hurt
Favorite Subject In School:
Didn’t have one
Least Favorite Subject in School:
All of them
Other Hobbies:
Sitting on the couch for now…
Worst Injury You’ve Ever Had:
Wow. The worst would have to be the accident I was in July 4, 2009. Too may things to list. One thought...I was pronounced dead at the scene.
My Perfect Day Would Look Like:
Spending the morning out on the water with the homies riding and then spending the rest of the day enjoying the sun and water.
Most Played Bands on My iPOD:
Kings of Leon, Ky-Mani Marley, Linkin Park, Trouble Andrews, White Apple Tree, Ming and Ping
Best Job You’ve Ever Had:
The one I have now…Bakes Marine!
Worst Job You’ve Ever Had:
Dishwasher at a golf course.
10 Words That Best Describe You:
Fun, Outgoing, Positive, Tough, Crazy, Funny, Charismatic, Easy going, Stud
I’d Like To Thank:
My Lady Krissy for always being there for me. Mom, Willie, Adri, and all my family. Marcus for being the man. Everyone that has supported me through the last few months. If it wasn’t for everyone being there for me it would have been a lot harder to go through the accident and recovery.
Date of Birth: June 20, 1984
-foreword by Greg Young-
There are not enough words to express how much I respect and admire Brandon Robins. I’ve known him since right around the time the company started in 2004 and he’s been a good friend and a huge help to Northwest Riders since Day 1. Brandon looks like a tough guy, all covered in tats...but he’s as friendly as they come. He always has a positive attitude, a high-five waiting for you, and a word of encouragement for everyone he sees.
One classic example of Brandon being Brandon was a road trip we took in 2008. Brandon has helped out at various wakeboard clinics that we’ve put on, but on one particular trip Brandon and his girlfriend Krissy came on the road with us to the Tri Cities. Things started out great, Brent and I picked them up in the bus and we began the trek over the mountains. About 10 miles into the trip, the AC in the bus stopped working. Coincidentally we were having record highs that week and it was easily in the 90s that afternoon. Brent and I were fine in the front since we were next to the only 2 windows in the entire bus that rolled down. Brandon and Krissy were stuck in the back, where no cool air would reach, and it quickly reached furnace status. It had to be 120 degrees back there. To top it off, since we were pulling a 25 foot boat up a mountain pass behind a 30 foot bus on a 90 degree day, naturally the bus began to overheat. Because we had to drive at a snail's pace, what should have been a 2-3 hour drive took us 6. All the while, despite bright red faces and beads of sweat running down their faces, Brandon and Krissy were totally cool about it (no pun intended). They were just happy to be there, joining in on their part of a good story that we’d laugh about later. That is Brandon (and Krissy) every day.
In July of 2009, Brandon was involved in a terrible motorcycle accident. The paramedics that first arrived to the accident site declared him dead at the scene, not being able to find a pulse at first. He was taken by helicopter to Harborview, where he surprised everyone just by surviving the short flight. He was in a coma for several days, with brain swelling being a huge concern. When he eventually awoke from the coma, the first thing that he noticed was that his leg had been amputated below the knee and the pinky finger on his right hand had been sheared off during the crash. After only a few weeks in intensive care, he again surprised everyone (especially the doctors), having recovered enough to leave the hospital and heal from home. Since the accident, Brandon has beat the odds time and time again, being able to receive a prosthetic after only a few months, and also at being able to walk and even jog on it only weeks later (again, the learning process should have taken months or years). Five months after his accident, Brandon was able to drive to the mountains and take a couple runs down the mountain on his skis! If you watch the video, you’d never know he had a prosthetic (except when his leg fell off at one point, which he laughed pretty hard at when he told me the story).
Brandon’s quick recovery is a testament to his determination, persistence, and dedication to living life to the fullest. Even more impressive is the incredibly positive attitude he’s kept up throughout the whole process. Instead of getting down about the recent changes in his life, he continues to thank God everyday that he’s still alive. Brandon’s life, especially after his accident, continues to define the word inspirational.
Q & A
Favorite Color:
Green
Favorite Animal:
Beaverdolphin
Favorite Travel Destination:
Wapato Lake, WA
I’ve been Wakeboarding Since I Was:
15 years old
Favorite Part of Wakeboarding:
The lifestyle
Least Favorite Part of Wakeboarding:
Getting hurt
Favorite Subject In School:
Didn’t have one
Least Favorite Subject in School:
All of them
Other Hobbies:
Sitting on the couch for now…
Worst Injury You’ve Ever Had:
Wow. The worst would have to be the accident I was in July 4, 2009. Too may things to list. One thought...I was pronounced dead at the scene.
My Perfect Day Would Look Like:
Spending the morning out on the water with the homies riding and then spending the rest of the day enjoying the sun and water.
Most Played Bands on My iPOD:
Kings of Leon, Ky-Mani Marley, Linkin Park, Trouble Andrews, White Apple Tree, Ming and Ping
Best Job You’ve Ever Had:
The one I have now…Bakes Marine!
Worst Job You’ve Ever Had:
Dishwasher at a golf course.
10 Words That Best Describe You:
Fun, Outgoing, Positive, Tough, Crazy, Funny, Charismatic, Easy going, Stud
I’d Like To Thank:
My Lady Krissy for always being there for me. Mom, Willie, Adri, and all my family. Marcus for being the man. Everyone that has supported me through the last few months. If it wasn’t for everyone being there for me it would have been a lot harder to go through the accident and recovery.
