Spy Boot Campers, Athletes and Industry Friends Enjoy Week-Long Experience of a Lifetime
Carlsbad, CA, - -(Surfeyes.com)- Spy Optic, Inc., a leading action sports eyewear brand, hosted seven grand prize winners from retail stores all across the US and Canada (including one online consumer winner) for a week long action-packed experience to share with Spy elite action sports athletes in their respected environments.
"Boot Camp is one of the most amazing times here at Spy. Not only do we get to live alongside the winners in a dream world for a week, we also get the opportunity to bond with the hardworking people who truly affect the growth and stability of our industry on a daily basis," said Kristin Kolenic, Spy Optic Marketing Manager.
The Spy Boot Campers had six days and six nights of pure fun. Here is a brief recap of the week's events.
Day 1, July 31, 2009, kicked off with "the party" of X Games 15, with Monster Energy at Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory in Los Angeles.
Day 2 Boot Campers at X Games 15 received behind-the-scenes VIP treatment at the Home Depot Center watching Street Skate finals, BMX, X-Men Motocross and Freestyle Motocross.
Day 3 was a beach day at Tamarack, Carlsbad, soaking up the scene, BBQ and into the wee hours of the night pool party with the Spy crew.
Day 4 the winners rode motocross with seven-time supercross champion Jeremy McGrath at Pala Raceway while Fuel TV captured the action for bragging rights.
Day 5 was spent riding waves with Surf Diva in La Jolla. Spy surfers Mike Losness, Luke Davis and Kanoa Igarashi came down to shred and help for the day.
Day 6 the Boot Campers went wakeboarding with Spy wakeboarder Melissa Marquardt behind the Liquid Force boat at the Carlsbad Lagoon. They met the entire staff at Spy Optic headquarters in Carlsbad and Transworld Media hosted the official Spy Boot Camp award ceremony in their backyard offices with a BBQ, Ball Park frank dogs and Kona beer fest. To top it all off the winners were treated to go-kart racing at K1 Speedway.
"I got the real behind-the-scenes experience. It's cool to see face behind the brand. It's very much an inclusive family," said Ryan Cameron, Jack Surfboards, Corona Del Mar, CA.
"It exceeded my expectations. Being actually a part of this entire week has been out of this world. When I landed in Los Angeles, I thought Ashton was going to jump out and I was about to be Punk'd!," said Cassie Hudson, Mainland Skate & Surf, Concord, CA.
"This experience solidifies the fact that this is the industry I want to be in. I'm making the right choice working at a shop. You don't have to wear a suit everyday to make a buck," said Matty O'Connell, SpareParts, Regina, SK, Canada.
Special thanks to the 7th Annual Spy Boot Camp Contest partners Fuel TV, Monster Energy, Liquid Force, Plan B, KTM, Ogio, Omatic, Vestal, Skullcandy, Sanuk, Silver, Surf Diva, No Fear MX and industry friends for making this year a truly remarkable experience for all.
ABOUT SPY OPTIC, INC.
Spy Optic, Inc. designs, develops and sells premium eyewear products for the youth lifestyle market within action sports, fashion, music, and entertainment sectors. Spy's principal products, sunglasses and goggles, target the action sports market, including surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, motorsports, and wakeboarding and skiing. Spy's innovative proprietary products utilize high-quality materials, handcrafted manufacturing processes and engineered optical lens technology to convey premium quality, contemporary style, and progressive design. Spy Optic, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orange 21 Inc. (NASDAQ:ORNG). Please visit www.spyoptic.com or contact info@spyoptic.com for inquiries.
Spy Optic, Inc. Partners With Iconic Nascar Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr Launches His New Signature Sunglass—The “Dirty Mo”
Spy Dirty Mo Sunglasses
Carlsbad, CA — -(Surfeyes.com)- -Spy Optic, Inc. (“Spy”), a leading action sports eyewear brand announces its new partnership with professional motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“I am really excited about my new signature sunglass. With the Spy Dirty Mo, we are at the forefront of design with the look and feel. I am extremely happy with the result,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr. “I was introduced to Spy sunglasses through my friendship with driver Boris Said and since then it’s the only sunglass I wear. I like the way they look, the way they feel, and how Spy constantly evolves into something new.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a world-renown driver with a highly successful career, earning more than $53 million in winnings and 18 victories including the 2004 Daytona 500. He has been selected by race fans six times as the winner of NASCAR’s “Most Popular Driver” award and consistently has appeared on Harris Interactive’s annual polling of America’s Top 10 Favorite Athletes.
“Spy Optic is thrilled to be working with Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of the most popular race car drivers of all time.” stated Stone Douglass, CEO of Spy Optic. “Dale is not only a great NASCAR driver, but a creative, intelligent entrepreneur with a great eye for style.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. now joins Spy’s elite athlete roster, including legendary seven-time Supercross champion Jeremy McGrath, world-renown surfer Clay Marzo, Olympic snowboarder Todd Richards, popular snow skier Tom Wallisch and world-class wake boarder Parks Bonifay.
Named after his hometown Mooresville, North Carolina posse, the Spy Dirty Mo signature sunglass is designed for life in the passing lane. The Dirty Mo’s custom built frame is crafted from high quality Italian propionate material, featuring sleek and aggressive sport styling. The Dirty Mo features inset custom metal detailing, sturdy eight barrel stop hinges and 100% UVA, B and C sun protection in a shatter-resistant, optically correct polycarbonate lens. The Dirty Mo sunglass features a Dale Jr. signature pad print on the inside of the side temple.
The Spy Dirty Mo sunglass is hand-fabricated in Varese, Italy, by LEM S.r.l, a high quality sunglass and goggle manufacturer, which has crafted premium quality eyewear for Spy and other superior eyewear brands for over 15 years. LEM S.r.l. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orange 21 Inc., the parent company of Spy Optic.
The Dirty Mo is offered in five frame colors: grey crystal fade, brown stripe tortoise, matte black, shiny black, shiny white and also available with Spy’s premium Trident polarized lens technology. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $109.95 U.S. Dollars for non-polarized models and $149.95 U.S. Dollars for polarized models. The Dirty Mo is available for immediate purchase in stores at Sunglass Hut, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Sport Chalet and many fine Spy retailers as well as www.spyoptic.com.
ABOUT SPY OPTIC, INC.
Spy Optic, Inc. designs, develops and sells premium eyewear products for the youth lifestyle market within action sports, fashion, music, and entertainment sectors. Spy’s principal products, sunglasses and goggles, target the action sports market, including surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, motorsports, and wakeboarding and skiing. Spy’s innovative proprietary products utilize high-quality materials, handcrafted manufacturing processes and engineered optical lens technology to convey premium quality, contemporary style, and progressive design. Spy Optic, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orange 21 Inc. (NASDAQ:ORNG). Please visit www.spyoptic.com or contact info@spyoptic.com for inquiries.
Owen Wright knocks Kelly Slater out of Rip Curl Pro
Wonder kid Owen Wright proved yesterday that he is on track for a successful ASP World Tour career by taking down 9 times World Champion, Kelly Slater in pumping four to six-foot waves at Bells Beach.
Owen, 19, who received a sponsor wildcard for the event took down the 2008 ASP Rookie of the Year Dane Reynolds in round 1, only to face Slater in round 2.
“I am really happy,” Wright said. “It has been a long week waiting to surf against Kelly Slater. I have just been relishing it and waiting for it. Out there, I just stayed on my own game and really just concentrated on what I was doing. I just got the set waves and surfed them, then the ocean went flat at the end and I kept the win.”
Wright opened his account and took the lead early scoring a 7.67 out of 10 for his first wave. Kelly then quickly responded with 2 waves, scoring a 7.00 and then backing it up with a 6.17 to reclaim the lead. Owen now needing a 5.25 to get back on top scored a second wave score of 7.00 to have a combined total of 14.67 leaving Kelly in second place with 13.83 and unable to find a wave.
“I’ll be taking a lot of confidence into my next heat,” Wright said. “I am just rapt with that heat and really happy to get one over Kelly Slater. There won’t be many chances like that one to come around.”
Owen now faces South African Jordy Smith in his round 3 match-up, which is sure to be a firecracker of a heat.
Owen Wright-
State your full name
Owen Wright
Date of Birth
16th Jan 1990
Conception between you and the ocean (when did you start surfing??)
Started surfing when I was about 5. Dad chucked me out on this small foam board down at the local at Culburra, water was freezing but lucky I had a damn good steamer on..Haha.
So at the age of 16 your out at Pipe, one of the most gnarly waves in the world, combining it with the dux guts of the surfing elite. How did you feel?
Actually I would’ve been about 14 I think, but my first real experience I was 15. That’s when I got my first really big barrel wave.
What was the feeling running through your head paddling into the first wave?
Um, just froth really I was paddling around all over the place just stoked to be out there. It wasn’t like I had lots of time to paddle into one I was just waiting for someone to pull back so I could go. I was looking at the bottom hoping I was not going to keep going, just managed to pull it round and not nosedive. Pulled into the barrel and got the sickest tube!
So, you pretty much have the reputation of being the ‘next big thing out of Australia’ do you feel the pressure of having to live up to that, or do you just do your own thing?
Really, do I?
Yeah man!!!
Well, I want to be that guy I do want to be the next big thing! I want to live up to everyone’s expectations. But at the end of the day you got to want to do it for yourself and im really focused on that. I mostly want to be a part of the whole CT thing and surf perfect waves!
Do you feel like you have to be at the standard of guys older than you like Jordy and Dane?
Oh, I don’t think im at the same standard as those guys at all yet, but im working on it everyday, getting stronger and more powerful in my surfing that’s where those guys have got it over me at the minute.
Alright, lets get off the competitive topic. You have an unlimited amount of money, 2 weeks, and 6 buddies. Where would you go and what would you do? Gimmie your ultimate trip away. Surf Trip or The Vegas, baby?
Ha! Ha! Probably a surf trip, probably to Bali or a boat trip, I love Bali! Actually I’d go to Ulus for sure. I’d pay the surf gods to make it 6-8ft everyday and put on a real good show.
You’ve had the opportunity to surf pretty much every hot spot wave in the world. Any place you haven’t been yet that you are hanging to get to?
I don’t know, I’ve been pretty spoilt of late. Been getting some really sick waves around Bells and a few little secret spots. Just scored epic Straddie (Stradbroke Island, north of the Gold Coast).
I haven’t really though about any other places …... Actually the Mentawis, haven’t been there yet!
Now, it’s time to talk ladies, you got one? Or like many pro juniors, you got your player cap on?
Nope, im single.
Ha! Ha! Im not a player, well, I try not too play around, but I do like to have a good time. Ha ha!
Do you flash the coin around to sweeten the deal or are you all about the Owie charm?
Nah, its all about the Owie charm. Not the coin, that’s gross..
So, the future, what’s on the cards for Owen Wright? WCT prodigy in the making? World title aspirations? Or throw the whole scene in for a house and free-surfing career in the ‘Burra?
Of course the World Title, That is the ultimate goal. But in the short-term im just focused on doing well on the Pro Junior circuit.
And you’ve just taken out the Boost Surf Sho in Surfers Paradise, what was that like?
It was awesome, I had to surf from the start because I actually didn’t get into the event at the start and I had to win the juniors to get in. Which luckily for me, I did. So I got the wildcard into the main event!
And then the next day I just tried to surf as hard as I could against the big guys like Mick, Taj, Kerrsy (Josh Kerr). The wave just had these great launch sections and it was just so fun. Was so stoked to win it!
Mate, let’s wrap this thing up with a punchy comment. Owen Wright, tell the world something they don’t know about you.
Ha! Um, I dunno. I don’t even know myself. Um, what don’t they know about me. Alright well people still think im a vego, it’s a pretty shit one but heaps of people still think I am. Not very exciting but there you go... haha
If you like Owen Wrigt then go to Surfeyes.com and purchase the new Dragon Fame Sunglasses
Over the Easter break D.Payne got more than just the surprise chocolate eggs… The bugger has just walked away with a $50,000 prize packet for busting one hell of an air-reverse in Indo…
The Kustom Air Strike runs the competition to find the best Pro who can punt like no other. In an interview with Stab magazine on the night he won, Dusty revealed that this boost came the day after he collected $20,000 from winning the Pro Junior Global Challenge. So hungover as hell he went for a little paddle at Keramas. First wave he fell, second wave pulled this thing….
If only normal people could surf like that after a hefty night on sauce.
Dusty Payne-
AKA "I make it rain bitches"
Nickname: Crusty
Sponsors: Dragon, Volcom, Body Glove, Creatures of Leisure, Hi Tech, Bill Johnson Surfboards
Favorite Glasses: Your Mom's,haha
Music: Cant wait for the new Backstreet Boys album. They are all very dreamy.
