PRESS RELEASE – Encinitas, CA – January 31, 2012

Liquid Force, the premier manufacturer of wakeboarding and kiteboarding hard goods and apparel, has entered into a long term marketing agreement with Axis Wake Research. Axis will be the Official Towboat of Liquid Force’s world famous BROstock event, as well as a strategic partner in Liquid Force’s Free For All series and all new BBQ BROdown series.

“If you’ve been around these two brands for even a short time, you’ve seen the synergy between our company cultures and the way we look at wakeboarding,” said Nick Skally, Axis Director of Marketing. “We’re excited to partner with an industry leader that understands how to have fun on the water. We’re also psyched to launch the product line into this type of arena where our boats can perform for high-end competitions like the double-up contest at BROstock.”

Axis and Liquid Force will begin to activate on this partnership immediately, starting with the LA Boat Show, February 10-12, followed by the February Freezeride at the Carlsbad Lagoon, February 18th.

Tony Finn, Founder of Liquid Force said, “I’m so excited to partner with an exciting brand like Axis Boats. The wake on their boats is sick! We couldn’t be happier to team up with such a great company. Not only do they make great products, but they’re also a great group of people. Their affordable, yet performance based boats are exactly what our industry needs! Stay tuned for many exciting things to come!”

Liquid Force and Axis join forces from Liquid Force on Vimeo.

• What: Active’s biggest event of the year: Evening with the Stars
• Where: Active Water Sports, Oregon City |1224 McLoughlin Blvd
• When: 7-10 pm | November 18th, 2011

It’s already that time of year. The transition from the warm summer into the long cold winter. So when you are looking through the frost covered window at your winterized boat, you can look forward to one thing, Evening with the Stars! This is the one event of the off season you won’t want to miss! It is a one-night-only event that is free for everyone.

Enjoy: free food, 40% off all 2011 gear, 10% off all 2012 gear, better-than-boat-show-prices on all our Moomba, Supra, Axis, Malibu, and Nautique boats, and a chance to meet some of the greats in the water sports industry. A raffle drawing will take place, giving you a chance to win product from all your favorite brands.

All raffle proceeds are donated to the Children’s Cancer Association.

What Pros should you expect to see?

Jimmy LaRiche               Kevin Henshaw           Eric Ruck

Oli Derome                                           Mike Ennen                               Silas Thurman

We are excited to spend the evening with you as we say “bye-bye,” to summer and bring in the 2012 season together. If you have any questions on special Evening with the Stars pricing, please call 503-643-5018.

When: 7-10 pm | November 18th, 2011
Where: Active Water Sports, Oregon City | 1224 McLoughlin Blvd
What: Active’s biggest event of the Year – Evening with the Stars!

You guys are not going to want to miss this! Enjoy free food, raffle drawings to win gear from all your favorite brands, and meet some of the top pros in the industry. For one night only, 2011 wake and waterski gear will be marked down to close-out prices, 2012 gear will be 10% off and we’ll be offering better-than-boat-show prices on all our Malibu, Axis, Moomba, Supra, and Nautique boats. Plus you get to hang out with all your favorite Active employees! Save the date and we’ll see you there.

As the days grow shorter and the nights get cooler, your time on the water is sadly coming to an end. It’s time to reward your boat for another summer of fun memories. Fall is the perfect time to bring in your boat for maintenance, repair, and winterization.

The Active Water Sports Service Center is the largest of its kind in the Northwest. Our AWS Service Technicians are master certified by Malibu, MB Sports, Moomba, Axis, and Supra and are unsurpassed in their experience with all tournament boats. Call 503.650.5991 to schedule an appointment before the first freeze and treat your boat to a little love. Thanks for another great summer!

Axis Wake Research in the USA and Australia are welcoming Dean Smith to their Factory Pro Team because just like Axis wake boats, he is all about charging hard and doing it with style. Smith wanted a boat that would allow him to take his “go big or go home,” attitude into every riding session as well as every competition. It’s this approach that earned the Australian Pro the 2010 WWA Men’s Wakeboard World Championship title. A fun, unassuming guy, Smith has the heart of a lion and conducts himself with true professionalism. Together with his massive tricks and free-riding style, Smith’s character makes him a perfect fit for Axis Wake Research. Smith rides and lives each day to the fullest and that’s how these boats perform; like today is your best day on the water. Axis is proud to call Deano, as he is affectionately known, a member of the family.
When asked about his new team, this is how Smith responded, “I couldn’t be happier on joining the Axis team! It is a company that shares that same passion about wakeboarding as I do, and is moving in a positive direction in the process.” Smith continued, “Having Randall and Keith as team mates is also a huge factor for me. Having 2 of the most innovative riders in world on the same team is a huge honor, and will only push me with my own riding. I’m looking forward to the 2011 season!”

On the pro wakeboard scene since 2004, Smith is no stranger to the podium. He has inflicted years of domination on the Australian Pro Wakeboard Tour. In 2010 he won the hearts of wake fans around the world by becoming the WWA Men’s Wakeboard World Champ. This underdog’s success is proof that if you want it bad enough and train hard enough victory is always within reach.

“I have so much respect for Dean’s riding, versatility and professionalism,” says David Thorpe, National Marketing Manager of Axis Wake Research Australia.

Smith is the first native Australian to earn the title of Wakeboard World Champ. He was born in Sydney in 1984 and still lives there for half of the year. He splits time between his birth place and Orlando, FL wakeboarding as much as he can on both sides of the globe. Together Axis Wake Research USA and Australia are keeping Smith in an Axis wakeboard boat whether he is Stateside or Down Under. This way Smith’s rigorous training schedule can remain just as intense no matter his location.

“Sticking to the Axis roots for pro athlete consideration, it is such a logical fit. Just like our boats, the rider’s attitude, style, and skill level must find balance. Deano has that,” explained Adam McCall, Managing Director for Axis Wake Research. “We at Axis look forward to working with Dean and seeing mutual benefit to the brand and to his riding career.”

Get Dean Smith’s Ronix Wakeboard Gear – Free Shipping and No Sales Tax at ActiveWake.com!

Some people cure their hangovers with Xanax, greasy food, and coffee, but a boat show hangover requires a little more emotional therapy than that.  What better way to brighten our post boat show mood than by re-living some of our favorite boat show memories?  Here’s a quick recap and a few photos that made the Portland Boat Show one of the best for Active Water Sports.

The AWS retail team transformed a blank 1600 square foot piece of concrete into a full on pro-shop featuring all the top brands and gear for wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, and wake kite.

Liquid Force flew in Melissa Marquadt to help out with the sale.  While she was there, Melissa not only signed all her 2011 Liquid Force Melissa boards (yes, we now have autographed Melissa Marquadt pro model boards), but she hung out and signed autographs for all of our customers.  When she wasn’t running around, stealing candy from other booths, she chatted with customers and even pieced together a super limited, crazy special wakeboard package for $199.99.  Some of our top-selling boat show specials from Liquid Force were the Liquid Force Witness Index Package for $329.95, the Liquid Force Venture Wake Surf for $199.95, and the Liquid Force Angel Plush Package for $249.95.

Danny Harf came out with the Ronix crew to shake hands, kiss babies, and talk about his new pro-model from Ronix (the Ronix One ATR Wakeboard).  At one point, Danny had a gang of 6 kids crowded around him waiting for him to sign posters.  Danny, of course, did it all with a big smile and made those kids’ weekend.  While Danny did sell quite a bit of gear, his charm was no match for the Ronix Australian distributor who also tagged along.  Stu was awe-some and his accent sounded even better when talking about 2011 Ronix wakeboards.

Also hanging out with the Ronix crew, was Trent Finylayson, the Canadian pro skier for Radar Water Skis.  We had tons of slalom skiers stopping by the booth this year and Trent was on the scene to answer all their questions and tell them  about the awesomeness of his pro-model, the Radar Vice.

Hyperlite had longtime NW Rep, Scott Sims, on hand who never had a free moment.  He was constantly talking to customers about the new Hyperlite System bindings, wake kites, and the latest 2011 Hyperlite wakeboards.

Slingshot Wake made the trek up from Hood River to hang out and talk about wood.  Wood cores, that is.  If you still haven’t checked out Slingshot wakeboards and their full wood core wakeboards, then you are missing out.   They have also revamped their entire binding line – speed lacing, light weight, and comfortable make them worth taking a look at!  (we’ll be getting all the new Slingshot wake gear online within the next week)

Over on the boat side of things, AWS was reported to have the best looking team of sales staff information buddies.  Along with the regular Active Water Sports boat posse, many of our boat manufacturers sent representatives of their own.

Amy, the lead marketing guru from Malibu, spent all 4 days with us at the show.   She was full of energy and spent all her time talking about Malibu and getting everyone excited about the new Malibu Touch Screen.  We even had a guest appearance by Malibu president, Jack Springer!

Mark Roske from Skiers Choice swung by to represent Moomba and Supra.  Moomba LSVs were a hot seller at the boat show this year.  Everyone was stoked on the new Moomba cruise control unit and new tower design.

Our teal Axis A-20 caught a lot of attention and Axis Wake Research rep, Matt Bishop, was there to answer everyone’s questions and give demos of all the new Axis features.

It was great to see lots of familiar faces and catch up with everyone since summer!  Thanks for visiting Active Water Sports at the Portland Boat Show this winter.  See you in Seattle?

Shrouded in a cloud of cold wet dampness, the Boat Show acts like a ray of sunshine bursting through the rain.  We know that the Northwest Boat Shows are your oasis from the dreary days of winter and that’s why Active never holds back with our Boat Show Presence.

I sat down with Gerry Oppliger and Greg Waters (Active’s lead boat salesmen) to find out why Active makes the Boat Show so special.

Greg: We are the boat show.  We put on a huge, full-on display. We’ve got boats on the floor, boats on trailers, boats on lifts and a full retail display.  It is the only time that factories give out discounts (almost as good as Evening with the Stars). Plus we essentially bring the entire retail shop to the Expo Center where customers can look at all the new wake and ski gear as well as our discounted gear from last season.  It’s a great way to get away from the rain and see the boats in a clean dry location.

Gerry: If the boat show was a circus, we’d be the ringmasters.  Active takes up center stage at the boat show with the most boats, the most wake and ski gear, the best display, and staffed with the best crew to help with all your questions.

We’re all getting stoked for the 2011 Boat Show Season and hope to see you in Portland or Seattle for some of the best deals of the year!

• Portland Boat Show | January 12th-16th | Portland Expo Center
• Seattle Boat Show | January 21st-30th | Seattle Qwest Field

About the Portland Boat Show:
For more than 50 years the Portland Boat Show has been one of the biggest – all indoor – boat shows in the region. Each year the show looks for the most attractive features, seeks the newest boat designs and provides an abundance of boating choices for all boating aficionados. The Portland Boat Show is set to launch on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at the Portland Expo Center.

Of course, the big draw for Northwest boaters is seeing what’s new in boat lines, technology and accessories. Every year, manufacturers and dealers bring in their latest designs for introduction. Expect plenty of new boat lines this year, and see what’s new from a wide range of manufacturers and dealers. Plus, some dealers will bring in last year’s models with their new inventory for the ultimate in price selection and negotiation!

About the Seattle Boat Show:
The Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, is the West Coast’s Largest Boat Show featuring more than 1,000 recreational watercraft, seminars and the latest accessories indoors at Qwest Field Event Center, plus afloat on South Lake Union.  A free shuttle runs every day between Qwest Field Event Center and South Lake Union every 30 minutes.

Legit.  That’s how you describe Greg Waters.  Maybe even too legit…. If you have a serious wakeboarder on your list for Christmas gifts, you’ll want to follow Greg’s list closely.

1.  2011 Ronix Relik Boots and 2011 Slingshot Reflex Wakeboard – This set-up is pure HEAVEN, according to Greg.  The Slingshot Reflex is constructed with an all wood core and urethane sidewalls which makes it super durable, poppy, and the added flex lets you butter rails just like a snowboard!  The Ronix Relik boots really appeal to Greg’s style, but they’re more than just a pretty face.  The Reliks really combine the best of both worlds, easy flexing comfort with high-end performance.

2.  Ronix One Handle – The One Handle is rad because it allows you to find your perfect grip.  Easily interchange different diameter and shaped grips, while using one yoke.

3.  Straight Line Team Line (Silver) – Made with a Dyneema core, the Straightline Team Line is one of the strongest, no-stretch lines out there.

4.  Ronix Yonderosa Vest – Greg needs to use the compass that comes with this vest to ensure a proper landing on his wrapped back 3’s.

5.  O’Neill Boardshorts – Stay flashy, Greg.

6.  2011 Axis A20 – The boat that you have been waiting for, it fits in a small space and it puts out monster wakes!

Don’t forget!  Tonight is Evening with the Stars! We’ve been prepping the shop all week and it looks amazing.  Our service garage has been transformed into a fully equiped show room, stocked with the hottest Malibu, Supra, Axis, and Moomba boats.  The shop has been cleaned from floor to ceiling, 2011 wake and ski gear is on display, and all our reps from Liquid Force, Ronix, Slingshot, Hyperlite, and HO will be here to answer any of your questions.  Doors open at 7pm tonight so join the AWS Crew for our favorite event of the year- Evening with the Stars!

Meet the Pros:

Jeff House, Adam Errington, Jimmy LaRiche, Kevin Henshaw, and Dave Wingerter will all be in attendance. In addition to any last minute pros who may have forgot to RSVP.

Shop the Sale:

This is hands down the BEST time to buy anything wake or ski related. For one night only we are offering FACTORY DISCOUNTS on all our 2011 Moomba, Supra, Axis, and Malibu boats. 2010 Wake and Ski Gear will all be marked down to 40% off and we’ve got some special package deals too! These are better-than-boat-show prices, so don’t miss out.  Visit our Facebook page for some other killer coupons.

Score some Schwag:

There will be tons of freebies and giveaways throughout the night. We’ve teamed up with our favorite brands to offer a large array of raffle prizes (all proceeds benefit the CCA) and product tosses. We’ll also be serving free food (it goes fast!) and handing out free high-fives.

It’s just one night, so don’t miss out.

As the days grow shorter and the nights get cooler, your time on the water is sadly coming to an end.  It’s time to reward your boat for another summer of fun memories.  Fall is the perfect time to bring in your boat for maintenance, repair, and winterization.

The Active Water Sports Service Center is the largest of its kind in the Northwest.  Our AWS Service Technicians are master certified by Malibu, MB Sports, Moomba, Axis, and Supra and are unsurpassed in their experience with all tournament boats.  Call 503.650.5991 to schedule an appointment before the first freeze and treat your boat to a little love.  Thanks for another great summer!