OREGON OUTDOOR
WINTER SWELL IS HERE...
Yakima crossbars and pads get your sandy, waxy, boards out of the car and onto your roof so you can get more surfers in seats.
DON’T GET CAUGHT INSIDE
The RipCord keeps your boards locked to your bars so there’s no need to worry if you run down the beach to scope the next set.
YAKIMA IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF YAKIMA PRODUCTS INC
AMERICAN MADE GOODS QUALITY | DURABILITY | STYLE
WE SUPPORT A MERICAN ARTISANS, CR AF TSPEOPLE, AND M ANUFACTURERS. KEEPING JOBS LOCAL AND THE TR ADITION OF SUPERIOR PRODUCTION ALIVE.
H E R I TAG E D RYG O O D S . CO M
CONTENTS 9 moments 10 gear guide // quickdraws 18 faces // groms 20 coordinates 22 editor ’s note
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24 pnw // spirit falls 28 intl // myanmar 34 feature // locals only 42 q& a // pnw entrepreneurs 46 field notes
WILL SAUNDERS
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EDITOR IN CHIEF KYLE HENTSCHEL EDITOR CHLOE HUCKINS PUBLISHER JAC THOMAS PHOTO EDITOR WILL SAUNDERS ART DIRECTOR JOSE CONTRERAS SOCIAL MEDIA MEGAN GANIM WRITERS Claire Holley Lincoln James, Debra M. Josephson Joe Riedl, Lindsay Rossmiller PHOTOGRAPHERS Kathryn Boyd-Batstone SID BECK, Danny Brittain annaleise girone Debra M. Josephson, Jarrett Juarez Leslie Kehmeier, Joe Riedl andrew studer, Will Saunders COVER PHOTO: WILL SAUNDERS
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EDITOR’S NOTE
BY K YLE HENTSCHEL
A
perfectly planned weekend trip is a mystery to me. In a typical scene at my house, it’s 45 minutes past our set departure time, the car is halfway packed, someone is slowly crafting a snack inside, and we have yet to get gas, go to the grocery store, pick up new mountain bike tubes, and look up directions. When we arrive, it’s never what we expected and we are utterly unprepared: someone forgets a helmet and can’t ride, it’s rainy and we get drenched, we are dehydrated, or the map is sitting on our kitchen table back home. And the campsite is probably full or doesn’t actually exist. We laugh it off and say, “It wouldn’t be a trip with us if we actually had what we needed,” but inside we are all cold and hungry. No matter how hard we try to avoid it, this strange ritual persists and I can’t help but think it doesn’t have to be this way. In the second issue of O2 Magazine, we feature stories about athletes and explorers who approach the outdoors as prepared, focused, sober, and skilled
individuals. These are professional surfers who wake up at the crack of dawn for perfect conditions (pg. 34), whitewater kayakers who scout the line for years before attempting it (24) and the leaders of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most successful outdoor brands (42)—to name a few. In order to create and sustain success, these people research, pack accordingly, and leave on time, among other common sense practices. Their collective commitment should serve as inspiration to those of us who still can’t remember to bring a raincoat…in Oregon. Someday I hope we will reach that point, but right now, even the 11-year-old surfers (20) are showing more promise. In the end, I’ve realized that it’s about doing what you love to do outside and reveling in the process. Maybe logistics isn’t our strong suit, but the feeling of flying through the trees on two wheels, free-falling into an icy pool or slicing through the Pacific on a surfboard is well worth the trouble.
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M O M E NT S
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LESLIE KEHMEIER LOCATION: MT. FROMME, BRITISH COLUMBIA
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DANIEL BRITTAIN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA
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ANDREW STUDER LOCATION: THREE SISTERS, OREGON
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NICK BRAUN SMITH ROCK, OR
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GEAR GUIDE
QUICKDRAW SHOWDOWN
BLACK DIAMOND HOODWIRE salt l ake cit y, utah
BY LINCOLN JAMES
large gate opening makes clipping easier lincoln on wedding day 5.10 b, Smith Rock .
24 g
82g
8
8 kN $$$ 19.95
ANNALEISE GIRONE ANNALEISE GIRONE
W
hether you’re new to climbing or trying desperately to send the project that shut you down last season, finding the right gear can be more daunting than marriage. To ease your suffering, the O2 team spent a few weeks out at Smith Rock State Park perfecting harness tans and reviewing a selection of quickdraws from America’s top manufacturers. Black Diamond, Metolius, and Trango were all born here in the United States and have established impressive reputations worldwide. We know the average climber isn’t touring around in a luxurious Sprinter van. For those of you dirtbags who hitchhiked across state to get to the crag, we’ve made sure that buying new gear doesn’t mean skipping meals. Without emptying your wallet or sacrificing quality, one or more of these quickdraws is sure to suit your needs.
stiff gate
metal hood prevents snag when cleaning
BOTTOM LINE THE SUPERIOR CARBINERS IF YOU’ VE GOT THE CASH.
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METOLIUS BRAVO
TRANGO PHASE
bend , oregon
louisville , color ado
quickdraw lengths from
24 g
70g
7
5” to 20”
24
10 kN $$ 18.95
g
67g
8
7 kN $ 14.95
cheap!
exterior dogbone jig protects webbing
small gate & small carbiner make it difficult to clip
small gate & small carbiner make it difficult to clip
BOTTOM LINE
BOTTOM LINE
IF YOU WANT VARIOUS SIZES OF
THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.
THE SAME DRAW, LOOK NO FURTHER.
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FAC E S
GROMS: A grom or grommet isn’t necessarily a beginner surfer but a young surfer usually under the age of 15. Most of the time, people who are called groms are youngins who RIP (are good). WILL SAUNDERS
Reed Platenius: 11-year-old cold water surfer from Tofino, British Columbia. In May, he won the 12 and under event at the Rip Curl National Cold Water Surfing Championship.
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Mathea Olin: 11-year-old cold water surfer from Tofino, British Columbia. She also competed in the Rip Curl National Cold Water Surfing Championship, winning the women’s 16 and under event and taking second in the women’s pro event.
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CO O R D I N ATE S
Tom Dick and Harry Mountain PHOTOS JOE RIEDL
Down Highway 26 and just before Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, you’ll find a crowded Mirror Lake trailhead. But don’t be discouraged by the masses; most of those visitors hike the loop around the lake then head back to the car. What many hikers don’t know about is the other path that leads to the top of the mountain above Mirror Lake. Rather than turning left to loop around the lake, continue straight to the sign for Tom Dick and Harry Trailhead. The phrase “Tom, Dick, and Harry” historically refers to placeholder names for a group of unimportant, unspecified people. Contrary to it’s name, the summit is anything but average, with views of Mt. Hood, St. Helens, Adams, Rainier, and Jefferson. At night, look to the west to see the twinkling lights of Portland.
FIN ISH 45°17’24.0” N 121°47’29.0” W
START
COORDINATES
ACTIVITY: HIKING
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DISTANCE: 5 - 6 MILES
Cape Lookout State Park
PHOTOS KATHRYN BOYD-BATSTONE
Few places in the world offer dense old-growth forest and coastline in a joint landscape. Luckily here in Oregon, this is the norm. For a hike to showcase this beauty, look no further than Cape Lookout State park near Tillamook. The trail winds in and out of a misty forest until the tip of the cape, where you can look out at the vast ocean or at the tree-lined cliffs to either side. Watch for whales passing by but, more importantly, watch your step as you near the edge 400 feet above the crashing waves.
FIN ISH 45°20’15.86” N 124°00’24.48” W
START
COORDINATES
ACTIVITY: HIKING
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DISTANCE: 5.2 MILES
PNW
RUN N I NG SPIRIT OREGON OUTDOOR // 24
Kayakers face the smoothest plunge in the Northwest at Washington’s Spirit Falls. WORDS CLAIRE HOLLEY // PHOTOS KATHRYN BOYD-BATSTONE
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K
nowing his safety depends on focus, Brian Ward’s mind is clear as he positions his kayak and prepares for the 33-foot drop off Spirit Falls. Although one wrong move could be disastrous, he gathers confidence from years of experience as he nears the edge. “Spirit Falls is tall, technical, and consequential,” Ward says, stressing that if you don’t know what you are doing, it is extremely dangerous. “To actually run the falls takes years of experience and practice.” Spirit Falls has quite a reputation. Known as one of the smoothest plunges in the Pacific Northwest, the freefall attracts kayakers from across the country. Various guidebooks attempt to describe the falls, but most settle on the same word: indescribable. “People move to the towns and cities near the Little White Salmon so they can run it,” Ward says, adding, “It’s a lot of fun, but it’s hard.” The waterfall is positioned on the Little White Salmon River in southern Washington and is in the last mile of a popular six-mile section of the river, according to Ward. Accompanied by Andrew Morrisey and Liam Fields, the group approaches Spirit Falls in their kayaks. One by one, the kayakers descend on Spirit Falls, a drop they have studied meticulously for years. As any experienced kayaker knows, the most important part of preparation is to scout the path first to identify hazards in both the falls and the recovery below. Often, the most dangerous aspect of the falls comes after the drop.
Far below is a smaller rapid fittingly named Chaos. Running it wrong can be more dangerous than the falls themselves. Experts caution kayakers to stay to the middle or left of Chaos, even though the strong current pushes towards the right wall. “You don’t run Spirit Falls not knowing that Chaos is waiting for you below,” Ward cautions. Ward has run Spirit Falls more times than he can count. At 24-years-old he has more than 10 years of white water kayaking experience, but still remains cautious about Spirit. “It’s a little bit different every time,” he says. “It’s about making sure you have your boat in the right position, and being really aware about where you are on the river. That’s what it’s all about, just being in the right place.” The majesty of the falls makes it a destination even for those who don’t want to face the 33-foot plunge. There are plenty of viewing opportunities from afar, including a short hike from the road that leads to a breathtaking view of the cascade. “It’s a remarkable place,” Ward says, “It’s a great little hike and it takes no experience to go look at a waterfall.” Maybe it will inspire you to get in a kayak or simply reinforce your comfort in watching from afar; both are memorable experiences that make the trip to Little White Salmon completely gratifying.
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“
You don’t run Spirit Falls not knowing that Chaos is waiting for you below.
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”
I NTE R N ATI O N A L
BAGAN
MANDALAY AMARAPURA INLE LAKE
YANGON
CHASING LIGHT AND COLOR IN SOUTHEAST ASIA’S NEWEST ATTRACTION: MYANMAR
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land of green & gold WORDS // PHOTOS BY DEBRA M. JOSEPHSON
BAGAN, MYANMAR
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A
t 7:30 pm the sky is already pitch black. Several coach buses compete to be the first one out of the station and onto the paved roads. Cigarettes hanging from their lips, men act as traffic controllers in the overcrowded dirt lot, directing drivers who jerk the buses back and forth, inches from collision.
“Shwe,” meaning golden, is the prefix to the names of many temples and pagodas throughout the country, which are often clad from the ground up in gold and jewels. This sight, set against the lush land and cityscapes, forms the iconic image of Myanmar.
I close my eyes tightly with a nervous giggle as if I were stuck on top of a Ferris wheel. Soon I will be in Bagan, Myanmar, once known as a kingdom of 10,000 Buddhist temples and monasteries—far from any childish carnival.
During the eight-hour drive from Yangon, nothing but intermittent flares of headlights peak through the tacky, patterned curtains of the coach bus. But as the sun rises, the countryside falls away to reveal the ancient city of Bagan.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is still in the infancy stages of global tourism. The Southeast Asian country recently ended decades of isolation with the rise of new leadership and now hosts millions of tourists annually. Craving a first look, I took the short flight from Bangkok to the capital city, Yangon, with curiosity for the unknown pumping through my veins.
The first rays of light run through the valley of Old Bagan like liquid gold and the 2,200 remaining sacred structures begin to take shape amid the canopy of trees. Hot-air balloons rise above the ancient city, a 360-degree view that rivals the world’s wonders. The whole city comes alive because of that light—awakening the spirits of those present and past.
I spend three days in Yangon absorbing the vibrant culture. At the Shwedagon Pagoda—one of the most revered and oldest pagodas in the religious world—it becomes evident that life here revolves around Buddhism. The pagoda rests in the center of the city and before sunrise every morning, clusters of devout monks tread the pavement around the 325-foot structure as they pray. Their rhythmic chants echo throughout the city.
Regret for leaving the sights at Bagan quickly diminishes as I speed through the darkness toward Myanmar’s second largest city, Mandalay, on the back of a small motorbike. It’s 4:30 a.m. and, with my 40-pound camera bag and tripod held faithfully between the driver’s legs, we head south to Amarapura, racing the sunlight for about 20 km. Although neither of us speaks the other’s language, I fear not for my safety but for the fleeting colors I want to capture.
SHWEDAGON PAGODA, YANGON
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BUDDHIST MONK, SHWEDAGON PAGODA
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hen we arrive just before morning light, monks in saffron-colored robes from the Mahagandayon monastery are strolling along U Bein Bridge, stopping intermittently to practice English with foreigners or make a call on a mobile phone with spotty service. The 164-year-old teak bridge spans across Taung Tha Man Lake and serves as a pedestrian highway for local workers. The calm water reflects the sky’s baby blues and pinks behind the bridge, a scene slowly interrupted as winged-tipped fishing boats spark the first ripples and the sun begins to shine. The four-hour, bone-chilling bus ride to my next destination climbs 3,000 feet in elevation as we make our way to Inle Lake. A few miles in the open bed of a truck follows the long bus trip and takes me to the waterfront. As the fishermen paddle boats with one leg from the shores of Inle Lake, nearby in Ywama village, women dressed in vibrantly colored clothing pick the best catch at the market. Puffing the smoke of sweetfragranced cigars or cheroot into the morning air, they choose the freshest fish to prepare for the day. Here and all throughout the country, women gracefully carry goods on their heads with babies secured in a basket on their backs. These are the scenes that permeate every moment of the Myanmar experience. The country has yet to develop a seamless tourism system, which makes it all the more intriguing and authentic. When faced with delays, frustration or confusion, it’s crucial to set western ways aside. Those details become insignificant once you set your eyes on the beauty of Myanmar—the country of green and gold.
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U BEIN BRIDGE, AMARAPURA
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LOCALS WORDS LINDSAY ROSSMILLER
PHOTOS WILL SAUNDERS
Laird Tuel strikes a balance between his professional surfing career and his loyalty to the fiercely protective community on Oregon Coast.
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S ONLY
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regon’s coastal landscape is a palette of gray in the early morning light. As water surges into the rocks sending explosions of sea spray into the air, a man stands alone on the beach looking out over the waves. His eyes sweep back and forth in a routine he has done for almost as long as he can remember.
O
While most of his college friends were still passed out in bed, he packed up his wetsuit and board to drive over an hour through the darkness, arriving in the morning mist. The briny breeze stirs as he stares out at the water, not thinking about homework or bills. He just watches the swells. Few people brave the surfing conditions on the Oregon coast and those who pursue a competitive, professional career can be counted on a couple fingers. Laird Tuel is one.
Despite pleas for him to remain local and under the radar, Tuel won’t treat surfing as a simple pastime. Even now, as he humbly collects sponsorships from the likes of Reef, Von Zipper, and RVCA, he maintains loyalty to his home state. “In Oregon, it’s a mission. It’s not easy,” Tuel says. “If people actually surf, that’s what they do. It’s not a hobby. I don’t know how to explain it.”
I GREW UP AT THE BEACH AN D IT’S JUST IN MY FAMILY.
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Here, forested cliffs of volcanic rock make it difficult to access certain beaches. The best waves are often ones that only locals know about and are not keen on sharing. Dedicated surfers must carry their boards as they scramble over rocks and through trees toward the ocean.
raining here means navigating not only the rough environment, but a tough community as well. Tuel has been dealing with both for most of his life and these elements have shaped his competitive career.
T
“I grew up at the beach and it’s just in my family,” Tuel says. “My dad surfed a bunch and I was always at the beach. It was just kind of what you do.” Even out of the water, the surf spirit was ingrained in his childhood as he played with toy cars in the dust of his father’s surfboard workshop. Tuel’s family moved from Hawaii to Oregon early in his childhood, trading the warm water of Kauai for wetsuits in the Pacific Northwest. “It was a little cold for him at first,” says Tuel’s father Mike, but regardless of the conditions, the family tradition survived. It took time, but Tuel embraced the frigid learning curve and was hooked. “I kind of hated surfing until I was 12. I would throw temper tantrums because I didn’t want to go to the beach because we were just always there,” he says. “Then something clicked.” At the time, his friend Maya Sacks was also learning to surf. “We’d wake up pretty early and either my dad or his mom or someone would drop us off at the beach. And it’s a beach you have to hike into,” he says. “We’d just be there all day everyday. Building forts and surfing all day so it was just pure fun.” When Mike got off work, he would return and surf with the two boys. Tuel and Sacks were usually the only young surfers in the water.
“No one in my town surfed at all really except for my dad and his friends,” says Tuel, who grew up in the Nehalem Valley area just east of Cannon Beach. As the youngest, the two teenagers had to earn the respect of surfers at least twice their age. “Luckily I had my friend Maya. We were both the same age so we started at the same time and had each other to surf with,” Tuel says. “You need someone to push you and someone to guide you into things.” At 14, Tuel received his first sponsorship from Seaside Surf Shop. Dennis Smith, the owner, compares his shop to a family and says, “Once we take you in, you’re in.” And the sentiment goes both ways. Even though Tuel has since gained additional sponsorships, he has remained loyal and the partnership continues today. He even returns to the shop to pick up shifts throughout the summer. For the next few years, Tuel entered contests up and down the West coast, driving as far south as Santa Cruz and north to British Columbia to compete, and expanding his web of connections with other athletes and companies. At 16, Tuel gained sponsorships from Reef and Von Zipper, who were both seeking a younger surfer to represent the Northwest. On those long car rides, some of which were 20 hours long, Tuel and his dad would talk about contest strategy and conditions. The mutual obsession with surfing preserved that relationship even after Mike Tuel moved back to Kauai. Following each contest, Tuel sends his dad film so they can review it together and identify what he needs to work on.
I KI N D OF HATE D SU RFI NG U NTI L I WAS 12. I WOULD TH ROW TEM PE R TANTRUMS BECAUSE I DI DN T WANT TO GO TO TH E BEACH BECAUSE W E W E RE JUST ALWAYS TH E RE.
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YOU NEE D SOMEONE TO PUSH YOU AN D SOMEONE TO GUI DE YOU INTO THINGS.
”
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”
he Oregon coast is a harsh environment for improvement, as good conditions come and go and surfers must work around limited daylight during winter when the waves are the largest. When Tuel was finally able to drive himself, every spare moment of daylight was spent in the water.
T
“Once I had my license, I went anywhere from Lincoln City to Seaside every day. My mom would always say ‘Check in, check in!’” Tuel says, “But I would just go wherever the best waves were.” Tuel’s parents supported his passion for surfing, trusting their network of friends along the coast if anything were to happen. The only issue was keeping him home for family events. “The surf always ends up being really good on holidays and birthdays,” Tuel admits. “I’ve gotten in trouble quite a few times for that.” His passion may have gotten him in trouble with his family, but it helped him succeed in a place where surfing isn’t as prevalent. “It’s not like other surfing communities,” Tuel says. “It’s regular communities with a couple people who surf so there aren’t surf towns or anything.”
Many of the older guys Tuel grew up surfing around are blue collar Oregonians—commercial fishermen and construction workers. These surfers are fiercely protective of their favorite spots and extremely wary of overcrowding. “There are certain spots in Oregon with great waves, but the older generation is not open to bringing people who don’t live there, preaching that you have to ‘pay your dues,’” Tuel says. Tuel is well aware of any publicity’s potential impact on the community. “I have seen a lot of crazy stuff happen,” he admits, referencing physical fights and smashed cameras that resulted from fear that a photo would expose a secret place. “The Northwest is one spot you can still go and surf by yourself,” Mike Tuel explains. Gaining exposure and growing a professional career usually requires going elsewhere in order to protect your favorite spots. While traveling can be tiring and expensive, Mike says, “the reward is when you come back home and it’s just you and your buddies.” Tuel understands both the benefits and downfalls. “It’s really nice to not have crowds when you surf,” he says, “but it’s kind of hard to progress when there aren’t many people pushing you.”
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FIN D WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO AN D FIN D A WAY TO GET PAI D FOR IT.
”
uel estimates there are only 8 to 10 truly competitive surfers under 20 in Oregon. His experience as one of these young surfers offers something unique to companies who want to sponsor him. However, breaking further into the industry requires a bit more, including a significant increase in film production and sponsorships, which is difficult within this intensely loyal and protective community.
T
“They don’t like that. One of the guys, who is probably 40, is the best surfer in the Northwest and he is absolutely against sponsors and filming. I get where he is coming from because we have really good waves and no one surfs them,” Tuel says. “People just don’t want it to turn into California.” Over time, Tuel earned his right to share these spaces and now tries to balance his respect for the local culture with the publicity of pro surfing. He is very cautious of where to film, often with his friend Maya, who is now a photographer. When surfing with others, they have to be mindful of places on the coast where people who have not grown up there are not welcome.
”
For now, travelling beyond Oregon’s shores is a reality for Tuel as he juggles work, contests and full-time studies at the University of Oregon. As he makes his way back to campus after a day of surfing, his mind never actually leaves the coast. Motivation for his advertising degree is supported by a goal of working in the surf industry after graduation, either as a professional athlete or for a surf company. His father always told him, “Find what you love to do and find a way to get paid for it.” The look in Tuel’s green eyes is convincing. He is discovering ways to pursue that motto as he continues to travel, capitalize on opportunities to film, and secure sponsorships to add to his more recent one from apparel giant, RVCA, in 2015. If all else fails, Tuel can continue as the West coast’s unofficial Mexican food expert—conducting extensive research on every surf trip. He grins and says, “I know all the good burrito shacks from San Francisco to Canada.”
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Q & A
WORDS CLAIRE HOLLEY PHOTOS SID BECK // WILL SAUNDERS
T
he geography of the Pacific Northwest is as unique as the people living here. A haven for mountain bikers, skiers, and snowboarders, windsurfers, rock climbers, hikers, and more, it is also the birthplace of some of O2’s favorite outdoor companies. The beautiful
outdoors coupled with a strong entrepreneurial spirit has lead to some amazing things. We spoke to the head honchos of three relatively young companies—KAVU, Hydro Flask and KAI NOA—about what has made them so successful and why they love doing what they do in the Pacific Northwest.
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BARRY BARR KAVU FOUNDER AND CEO BARRY BARR HAS LIVED IN WASHINGTON HIS ENTIRE LIFE. BORN IN THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS, BARR STARTED AS A COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN AT AGE 11. BY 17, HE WAS THE CAPTAIN OF HIS OWN BOAT SAILING IN THE BERING SEA, WHERE HE LEARNED PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES THAT HAVE HELPED KAVU STAY ABOVE WATER.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START KAVU? While I was fishing in Alaska, I developed the strap cap. On the boat, our baseball caps would come off in the wind. So by using fastening webbing that I had up there—I sewed it with fishing line the first time—you could crank it down enough that it wouldn’t come off. And you wouldn’t have to grab your hat with your smelly, bloody gloves. Then I came back one of the summers and just taught myself how to sew, got some parts, and made the hat. I already had the name. I had the name before I had the product. I said, ‘I’m gonna start a company, it’s gonna be called KAVU,’ but I didn’t know what it was going to be. And here we are 23 years later.
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT KAVU? WHAT SETS IT APART FROM OTHER OUTDOOR BRANDS? Everyone who works here is from Washington and I think almost everyone was born here. We don’t market the same way, we don’t make products the same way, we’re not trying to be other companies. You know a lot of people say, ‘well, Patagonia is doing this, we better do this.’ We’ve always gone our own way. I always say, if people go left, we’re Unlimited. It’s that philosophy of ‘you gotta make the most of today.’ It’s what we call a KAVU day.
WHAT DOES YOUR KAVU DAY LOOK LIKE? When I wake up, I always try to decide to make the day important. It doesn’t have to be something extreme by any manner. It’s like, today is gonna matter and I’m gonna make the most of it. Whether it’s going for a great run at lunch or taking in the sunset with friends and family—it’s just about being happy. It’s not about going through the motions, which a lot of people do and don’t realize. When people find out our products have that kind of feeling behind them, I hope they become more attracted to them. If we can touch those people and get them on board with our product and what’s behind it, I think that’s what sets us apart.
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NOE LLE BALI
NOELLE BALI GREW UP ISLAND HOPPING BETWEEN MAUI AND OAHU BEFORE MOVING TO OREGON TO JOIN THE ACROBATICS AND TUMBLING TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON. FOLLOWING GRADUATION IN 2012, SHE DESIGNED A LINE OF SWIMWEAR CALLED KAI NOA, WHICH LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER. HER PURPOSEFUL DESIGN, HAND PAINTED PRINTS, AND PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS CAUGHT O2’S ATTENTION FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE VISION BEHIND KAI NOA? KAI NOA is an educational journey. There’s a story behind every cut and line of the swimwear. With every collection there is a specific inspiration. That inspiration more than likely will come from the charity of choice. The whole thing is meant to educate people about the culture of the destination. Everything needs to make sense, and everything needs to be really thoughtful and follow some overall concept. And I’ve been very careful with my line. I just want to tell a story and educate people in the process. WHERE DID THE INSPIRATION FOR KAI NOA COME FROM? I say it’s based out of Hawaii because that’s where all of my inspiration has come from. I spent my entire life there. A lot of my inspiration comes from living right next to the ocean, just romping around and exploring all the time. About a year ago I started to notice this big nomadic revival. You see a lot of people in our generation now very willing to travel, very willing to take risks and explore.
WHY DO YOU THINK KAI NOA IS APPEALING TO PEOPLE? I hope that people are starting to seek something different. That they’re catching on to the story. KAI NOA is a lifestyle. I want to portray something different. I know people are interested in my line, but I’m getting anxious as I get closer to launching, because I want people to understand the concept. I want them to know my story. KAI NOA is about bridging the gap between the fashion industry and humanitarianism. I like to think that’s part of the reason why people have an interest as well. HOW HAS YOUR TIME IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST INFLUENCED YOU AND YOUR COMPANY? I have lived in the Pacific Northwest on and off for the last six years. I would say the PNW is a big part of KAI NOA. Maybe half Hawaii and half here. If it wasn’t for being here, I wouldn’t be as curious. In the PNW, you have access to everything. I’m an hour away from the ocean, two hours away from the mountain, and a short road trip to anywhere else. Moving to Oregon is what inspired me to get outdoors and explore. OREGON OUTDOOR // 44
SCOTT ALLAN
HYDRO FLASK, BORN IN BEND, OREGON, IN 2008, BEGAN WITH A SIMPLE VISION: SAVE THE WORLD FROM LUKEWARM. NOW, IT SEEMS AS IF NO ONE IN THE OUTDOOR RECREATION WORLD LEAVES THE HOUSE WITHOUT THIS WATER BOTTLE—INCLUDING THE O2 STAFF. SCOTT ALLAN, WHO HAS BEEN THE CEO AND PRESIDENT OF HYDRO FLASK SINCE 2012, IS A SELFDESCRIBED “BAY AREA REFUGEE,” WHO HAS LIVED IN BEND FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS. HOW DOES THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, OR BEND SPECIFICALLY, INFLUENCE THE PRODUCT AND COMPANY? Hydro Flask is really a reflection of the Pacific Northwest, especially of all that Bend has to offer. We have the hot and the cold. People are always outdoors, they’re active. They want cold water, hot coffee, cold beer—and we deliver. HOW HAS HYDRO FLASK EVOLVED SINCE ITS INCEPTION? Hydro Flask has come a long way. We started just as a better water bottle. We were selling them at the Portland Saturday Market, trying to convince people to spend $26 on a water bottle. People liked them because they like the idea of having the water stay at the temperature they want. Since then, we’ve grown into more of an active lifestyle brand. We’ve expanded well beyond the Pacific Northwest. We now distribute across the country at stores like Whole Foods and REI. We’ve become associated with the outdoor lifestyle. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CHARITABLE ELEMENT OF HYDRO FLASK? Charity has been important since the beginning. It’s something we stand for and continue to embrace. Hydro Flask has spent the last two years talking about our values and purpose and shifting the focus toward local Bend programs like the Conservation Alliance and the PNW Trail Alliance. We’re trying to help conserve what Bend has to offer. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF HYDRO FLASK LOOK LIKE? Our purpose is to save the world from lukewarm. Obviously this is literal—hot coffee, cold water, cold beer. But it goes beyond that. It’s the experience people have. We’re saving them from compromise and settling. We apply this to our service, how we partner with retail companies and with distributors. We want to impact consumers on a global basis and bring a smile to their face. The next few years we’ll be expanding our footprint internationally. As we expand, we want to maintain our values and culture, and stay true to the benefits of Pacific Northwest, and that work hard, play hard attitude.
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F I E LD N OTE S
I
nspired by the clear sky and full moon, photographer Jarrett Juarez threw his camera gear and surf boards into his van to see what he could create. At around 11:30 p.m. he arrived at the coast and began searching for the photo he envisioned—making his way around sea caves and over tidepools to set up the shot.
CAMERA: CANON EOS 5D MARK III
“The spot I wanted to be was 50 yards from the camera and I had 10 seconds to run across sharp volcanic rock with only the light from the moon and a $10 Walmart headlamp to guide me into position. I ended up shooting for an hour and after about 20 shots, a boot full of sea water, and a smidge of hypothermia from the December air —I ended up with this one.”
SHUTTER SPEED: 20 SEC
OREGON OUTDOOR // 46
LENS: EF16-35MM F/2.8L II USM FOCAL LENGTH: 23 MM
APERTURE: F/2.8 ISO: 2500
THANK YOU KICKSTARTER BACKERS JAN SATTERFIELD & CHRIS HARRELL AARON DOERR ERIC BOGGS JAKE CHARLSON ROBERT G. LEWIS JENNIFER WINTER KAROLYN SCHILLINGER LINDA GANIM SUSAN HARRIS IAN RANKINS ASHLEY GOLDBERG CONNER GORDON SEAN HUGHES CORUM KETCHUM JOE CONWAY DOUG KELSALL PRIYAKANATH MANDA ERIC MANDIL ED MADISON KAREN & JIM CROSSMAN LISA SELLEW RYAN LEVENSON L. JOELLE RANKINS GOODWIN BILL NIICHEL MARIANNE SIMON WILL DICKMAN CECELIA JONES ROB FERNANDEZ ANDY WILSON MARY HENTSCHEL BRENT GARDENER JOANNE BARNARD LORIN ANDERBERG EMILY ALBERTSON JAMES HOLE BEN WAN & WESLEY SAVA AUSTIN GUIMOND JAC THOMAS CATHERINE THOMAS STEPHEN HENTSCHEL KATELYN SIRI BARBARA DAVENPORT SKYLAR OJEDA R.J. LUCAS AMOS HORN BILL MAHONEY FINN FOSTER IAN MORAN ETHAN PFEIFFER
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