Archives: Press Releases

Frisco, TX – [April 2025] — Academy Sports + Outdoors is broadening its premium protective eyewear selection with the addition of the Wiley X’s WX JAKL, a standout in the brand’s 2025 lineup. Engineered for those who demand both style and uncompromising performance, the WX JAKL represents the latest evolution in Wiley X’s mission to protect and enhance vision in the most challenging conditions.

Select non-polarized WX JAKL models meet the rigorous U.S. military ballistic safety standards, delivering battle-tested protection for tactical users and high-impact work environments. Meanwhile, models featuring Wiley X’s signature CAPTIVATE™ polarized lenses offer enhanced color contrast and clarity while minimizing glare—ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, and professionals who rely on peak optical performance.

With its bold new design and field-proven functionality, the WX JAKL is now available at Academy Sports + Outdoors stores and online at Academy.com.

For more information about Wiley X and its product offerings, visit www.wileyx.com.

 

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (April 28, 2025) – Lift Foils, the pioneer of the eFoil category and a leader in performance foiling equipment, has begun shipping its newest flagship products: LIFT5 and LIFTX. After months of anticipation and a successful preorder window, both platforms are now arriving in the hands of riders around the world.

This new lineup brings two distinct ride experiences, both powered by a single, completely redesigned platform. The new core architecture features the Lift Connect System (LCS) for tool-free assembly, the advanced Gen5 Battery, and upgraded wireless electronics for a seamless setup and reliability across both models. One platform, two paths—choose LIFT5 for premium eFoil performance, or LIFTX for the ultimate in hybrid versatility and surf-inspired adventure.

LIFT5: Precision Made Simple

LIFT5 introduces a smarter, more tactile eFoil system engineered to reduce friction at every step. The Gen5 Battery locks in with a secure, one-motion drop. The propulsion system connects with a clean, mechanical click. And a single button powers the board. Everything is designed to feel solid in hand and seamless on the water. “We built LIFT5 to eliminate friction,” said Nick Leason, Lift Foils Founder and CEO. “Setup is faster. Connections feel solid. It’s intuitive and it delivers a user-friendly experience you can rely on. You feel the engineering in every interaction, even before you get on foil.”

With refined board shapes and updated accessories, LIFT5 delivers a premium riding experience that’s easy to access and built to last. Whether it’s your first ride or your hundredth session, everything about LIFT5 is designed to elevate confidence, comfort, and control.

LIFTX: A Surf Foil With Power

LIFTX merges the compact agility of a surf foil with the power of an eFoil to create a new category of ride. Designed for downwinders, open ocean exploration, and surf-focused progression, LIFTX allows riders to power out, cut the motor, and ride clean. “LIFTX gives you access—plain and simple,” said Leason. “You can position yourself exactly where you want to be, ride off throttle, and flow through the open ocean. It’s not just a powered foil, it’s a tool to learn, to explore, and to unlock sessions that wouldn’t otherwise happen.”

Built with a lightweight frame and modular propulsion system—including a low-mounted folding prop—LIFTX delivers seamless transitions between powered flight and pure foil performance. It’s ideal for riders chasing swell, exploring new terrain, or pushing what’s possible in the surf.

LIFT5 and LIFTX mark the beginning of a new product cycle for Lift Foils, shaped by real-world rider feedback, surf-inspired design, and a continued commitment to innovation. Each platform includes a full suite of upgrades, from redesigned board bags and one-button startup to next-gen batteries and seamless propulsion swaps. Both platforms are now shipping globally through liftfoils.com and Lift’s worldwide dealer network.

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About Lift Foils

Lift Foils is the creator of the first commercially available eFoil, owner of many of the patents used in today’s eFoil components, and the preeminent leader in the eFoiling space. Co-founded in 2010 in Puerto Rico by engineer and avid surfer Nick Leason, the Lift eFoil allows riders of all levels to experience flight over almost any body of water at speeds over 30mph, with no waves or towing required. Lift Foils’ eFoils and surf foils can be found at more than 350 affiliates and retail partners in 80 countries across the globe. For more information or to find a retailer near you, go to www.liftfoils.com.

 

Frisco, TX – [April 2025] — Academy Sports + Outdoors is broadening its premium protective eyewear selection with the addition of the Wiley X’s WX JAKL, a standout in the brand’s 2025 lineup. Engineered for those who demand both style and uncompromising performance, the WX JAKL represents the latest evolution in Wiley X’s mission to protect and enhance vision in the most challenging conditions.

Select non-polarized WX JAKL models meet the rigorous U.S. military ballistic safety standards, delivering battle-tested protection for tactical users and high-impact work environments. Meanwhile, models featuring Wiley X’s signature CAPTIVATE™ polarized lenses offer enhanced color contrast and clarity while minimizing glare—ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, and professionals who rely on peak optical performance.

With its bold new design and field-proven functionality, the WX JAKL is now available at Academy Sports + Outdoors stores and online at Academy.com.

For more information about Wiley X and its product offerings, visit www.wileyx.com.

 

Louisville, Colo. (April 23, 2025) – TrainingPeaks, the industry-leading training app for endurance coaches and athletes, has been named the official training platform for five Life Time endurance events, including the legendary Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva. Additional events include the Life Time Rad Dirt Fest and Life Time Big Sugar Gravel cycling events, along with the Life Time Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva and the Life Time Silver Rush 50 Run presented by La Sportiva running events.

Life Time’s Leadville Race Series running events, highlighted by the historic Leadville Trail 100 Run, are held at elevations above 10,000 feet and rank among the world’s most demanding endurance challenges. Every year, athletes battle steep climbs, unpredictable weather, and the relentless clock to achieve a coveted finish. TrainingPeaks enables athletes to train for events with the support of a calculated, data-driven strategy.

“The Leadville Trail 100 Run isn’t just a race,” said Dirk Friel, Co-Founder of TrainingPeaks. “It’s an endurance challenge where only the best-prepared athletes succeed. You can’t just show up and hope for the best. You need a coach to create a specific training plan to handle the altitude, terrain, and sheer mental and physical demands of the event. That’s exactly what TrainingPeaks provides — proven training solutions for athletes and coaches designed to take on Leadville and beyond. We’re honored to be joining the Leadville family and are excited to support athletes across these renowned Life Time events.”

Athletes and coaches can utilize TrainingPeaks’ comprehensive planning and analysis tools to track their progress, optimize their training, and make informed decisions leading up to race day. TrainingPeaks enhances the training experience for athletes of all levels by offering seamless integration with a variety of coaching services, including Boundless Coaching, which provides personalized training plans and one-on-one coaching for the Leadville Race Series run events.

As the official training platform for The Rad and Big Sugar Gravel cycling events, TrainingPeaks can support riders as they navigate the rugged terrain, variable conditions, and steep climbs. The TrainingPeaks team will be on-site at select Life Time running and cycling events offering fun activations for participants and spectators.

Life Time Athletic Events attract tens of thousands of endurance athletes annually, drawn by the challenge, camaraderie, community spirit and unparalleled experiences. Founded in 1983 to reinvigorate the town of Leadville, Colorado, the Leadville Race Series has grown into a global symbol of endurance and resilience for athletes of all levels.

For more information and event registration, visit www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run and Athletic Events | Life Time.

About TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks creates endurance training apps and solutions that help athletes and coaches reach their goals. Featuring the world’s largest endurance training marketplace, athletes can find personalized training plans, accredited coaches and easy-to-use apps and integrations to track their progress and reach their goals. TrainingPeaks is trusted by runners, cyclists, and triathletes around the world including Tour de France teams, IRONMAN® World Champions and Olympians. Learn more at trainingpeaks.com .

Louisville, Colo. (April 23, 2025) – TrainingPeaks, the industry-leading training app for endurance coaches and athletes, has been named the official training platform for five Life Time endurance events, including the legendary Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva. Additional events include the Life Time Rad Dirt Fest and Life Time Big Sugar Gravel cycling events, along with the Life Time Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva and the Life Time Silver Rush 50 Run presented by La Sportiva running events.

Life Time’s Leadville Race Series running events, highlighted by the historic Leadville Trail 100 Run, are held at elevations above 10,000 feet and rank among the world’s most demanding endurance challenges. Every year, athletes battle steep climbs, unpredictable weather, and the relentless clock to achieve a coveted finish. TrainingPeaks enables athletes to train for events with the support of a calculated, data-driven strategy.

“The Leadville Trail 100 Run isn’t just a race,” said Dirk Friel, Co-Founder of TrainingPeaks. “It’s an endurance challenge where only the best-prepared athletes succeed. You can’t just show up and hope for the best. You need a coach to create a specific training plan to handle the altitude, terrain, and sheer mental and physical demands of the event. That’s exactly what TrainingPeaks provides — proven training solutions for athletes and coaches designed to take on Leadville and beyond. We’re honored to be joining the Leadville family and are excited to support athletes across these renowned Life Time events.”

Athletes and coaches can utilize TrainingPeaks’ comprehensive planning and analysis tools to track their progress, optimize their training, and make informed decisions leading up to race day. TrainingPeaks enhances the training experience for athletes of all levels by offering seamless integration with a variety of coaching services, including Boundless Coaching, which provides personalized training plans and one-on-one coaching for the Leadville Race Series run events.

As the official training platform for The Rad and Big Sugar Gravel cycling events, TrainingPeaks can support riders as they navigate the rugged terrain, variable conditions, and steep climbs. The TrainingPeaks team will be on-site at select Life Time running and cycling events offering fun activations for participants and spectators.

Life Time Athletic Events attract tens of thousands of endurance athletes annually, drawn by the challenge, camaraderie, community spirit and unparalleled experiences. Founded in 1983 to reinvigorate the town of Leadville, Colorado, the Leadville Race Series has grown into a global symbol of endurance and resilience for athletes of all levels.

For more information and event registration, visit www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run and Athletic Events | Life Time.

About TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks creates endurance training apps and solutions that help athletes and coaches reach their goals. Featuring the world’s largest endurance training marketplace, athletes can find personalized training plans, accredited coaches and easy-to-use apps and integrations to track their progress and reach their goals. TrainingPeaks is trusted by runners, cyclists, and triathletes around the world including Tour de France teams, IRONMAN® World Champions and Olympians. Learn more at trainingpeaks.com .

 

SAN FRANCISCO – April 23, 2025 – Strava, the app for active people, today introduced Performance Predictions, a new subscriber feature that delivers personalized and estimated finish times for popular race distances: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon (13.1 miles), and Marathon (26.2 miles).

Designed to help athletes train with greater clarity and confidence, Performance Predictions analyzes recent run activity history to estimate finish times and target paces. By taking the guesswork out of race-day planning, it helps subscribers train intentionally, build confidence, and see measurable improvement before and after race day. Whether working toward a personal best or aiming to finish strong, athletes can train knowing their efforts are aligned with their goals.

The feature is powered by a machine learning model that analyzes over 100 data points about the runner and draws on Strava’s insights into how similar runners perform. These predictions update automatically after every run and adjust during rest periods, always reflecting the athlete’s most current fitness level.

The result is a smarter and more responsive training experience. Runners can assess whether their training supports their goal pace, make informed adjustments, and track their evolving potential.

Available now to subscribers in the Progress tab within the Strava app, Performance Predictions is the latest in a growing suite of tools built to help athletes unlock their potential. In 2024 alone, nearly 1 billion runs were recorded on Strava—reinforcing its role as the go-to platform for runners around the world looking to train smarter and achieve more.

About Strava

Strava is the app for active people. With over 150 million athletes in more than 185 countries, it’s more than tracking workouts—it’s where people make progress together, from new habits to new personal bests. No matter your sport or how you track it, Strava’s got you covered. Find your crew, crush your goals, and make every effort count. Start your journey with Strava today.

Join the Strava Club or follow Strava on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Visit www.strava.com for more information.

Press contact: press@strava.com

 

 

April 22, 2025 – Bellevue, WA – This Earth Day, Ombraz Sunglasses, the Armless Sunglass vanguard, will pass a major milestone. In its mission to deliver a net positive impact for the planet, Ombraz, along with its tree planting partner, Accelerated Restoration Collaborative (ARC), will plant its two-millionth tree. Since launching on Indiegogo in 2018, the brand promised to plant 20 mangrove trees per pair of Ombraz sold. Over the course of one year, two million mangrove trees sequester up to 54 million pounds of carbon from the atmosphere, the equivalent of 44,000 flights from LA-NYC.

Through this brand partnership, ARC works directly with local communities in Madagascar, empowering individuals with sustainable livelihood options through mangrove restoration efforts. The Aranta – Sotema Mangrove Restoration Project near Mahajanga City covers 942 hectares of the Betsiboka Estuary. ARC, together with Red Island Restoration, employs locals to restore the estuary, boosting sustainable fisheries and community livelihoods while enhancing biodiversity through revived aquatic spawning grounds and wildlife habitats. The project also supports the Tahiriniala Nature Center, aiding endangered species and educating students and residents.

“Through our enduring partnership in the Aranta-Sotema Mangrove Restoration Project, Ombraz exemplifies how visionary businesses can catalyze profound environmental and social changes. Together, we are demonstrating that strategic restoration efforts can be a cornerstone for preserving biodiversity, fostering economic resilience, and building a more sustainable future for generations to come,” says Agnes Luceño-Fitch, of ARC.

Recently, Ombraz hired Greenticket to perform a third-party analysis of the brand’s carbon footprint and sustainable practices. The audit uncovered a staggering statistic. Through the tree planting efforts, 1713x more carbon is sequestered from the atmosphere than is required to produce and deliver a pair of Ombraz to a customer’s doorstep, making Ombraz the most carbon-negative product in the world.

From the beginning, Ombraz Co-Founders Jensen Brehm and Nikolai Paloni have focused on generating an aggressive net positive impact. “Since starting, we’ve had no interest in creating something that we didn’t feel had a substantial net-benefit environmental impact through our business operations.” says Brehm. “Hitting these tree planting milestones represents our sincere commitment to generating the most carbon-negative product in the world.” adds Paloni.

To learn more about Ombraz, its brand partnership with ARC, and its sustainability efforts, visit Ombraz.com or contact stacy@darbycommunications.com.

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About Ombraz Sunglasses

Ombraz Sunglasses is pioneering a fundamental shift in eyewear design. Since launching the Ombraz Classic in 2018, Ombraz’ armless sunglasses have solved what frustrates people about sunglasses. Whether on the river, trail, slope, climbing wall, or single track, Ombraz can be worn comfortably and securely all day. With no arms to break and a cord to keep them in place. Additionally, with the help of their partners, ARC Restoration, Ombraz plants 20 mangrove trees for every pair of sunglasses sold. Ombraz is a certified BCorp and member of 1% For The Planet.

About ARC

ARC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in the State of Oregon, USA dedicated to scalable solutions for sociological and environmental challenges, and empowering local communities by creating economic opportunities through forest stewardship, driving effective restoration. Currently, ARC has sites across 3 project nations in Brazil, Nepal, and Madagascar. ARC’s leadership team has over 50 years of combined field experience in forest restoration systems resulting in over 1 billion trees planted across the planet.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (April 22, 2025) — With six weeks until its twice-annual Connect retail buying show, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization dedicated to the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail, is reporting a 6 percent uptick in individual buyers attending the show, amidst flat vendor and retail business attendance. The Spring Connect Show takes place June 9-12, 2025, in Reno, Nev.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance also released details on a number of education sessions geared toward retailers the day prior to the show on Sunday, June 8, Those include sessions on how specialty retailers can compete more effectively with national retailers, insight into the go-to-market process around how and when brands create their seasonal collections, and the role that small and emerging brands can play in the specialty retail curation process. There are also site visit opportunities to Cascade Designs and Patagonia, both of which operate production and distribution centers in Reno, and alpinist Conrad Anker will give a talk on 40 years of transformation in the outdoor industry.

Retailer and vendor attendance will be flat with 148 retail businesses and 147 exhibitors, while total buyers in attendance will be up 5.9-percent to 391, compared to numbers at last Spring’s Connect Show.

In all, Connect will provide a forum for 10,874 appointments between retailers and brands, a 7.5-percent increase over last year, and 8,229 hours of meetings, a 2.2-percent decrease. The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance team has tracked buyer engagement statistics since they began pre-scheduling all appointments for retailers and brands in 2016.

“Retailers being able to write well-informed orders for subsequent seasons requires a dedicated chunk of time with their core vendors at the right time of year, and these numbers tell us that Connect is still providing that as its core value proposition,” said Gabe Maier, President of Grassroots. “Along with that, we have a great lineup of education sessions this spring aimed at helping retailers grow their knowledge base, stay up to date on trends, and deepen their connections with the Grassroots community.”

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will host 104 outdoor brands at Discovery Marketplace, an event that takes place the afternoon of June 8, the day before the Connect Show. While the Connect show focuses on line showings supporting long-established brand-retailer relationships, Discovery Marketplace offers new and emerging brands the opportunity to show product highlights to specialty retailers. For retailers, it offers them a chance to discover new and exciting brands and products.

Along with Discovery Marketplace, the following sessions take place on Sunday, June 8, prior to the show:

• How specialty outdoor retailers can effectively compete with large national retailers — This session, led by former Moosejaw CEO Eoin Comerford, now of Outsided Consulting, will explore strategies to leverage strengths, mitigate disadvantages and carve out a thriving niche in the market when competing again large retailer like REI, Backcountry, and Dick’s.
• A look behind the scenes at how brands manage the go-to-market process — The goal of this session is providing retailers visibility into the key moments of creating a seasonal product collection, offering clarity on when feedback is most impactful, and highlighting the symbiotic relationship between vendors and retail partners when developing a seasonal launch. Led by two executives from Outdoor Research, Andy Burke, VP of Commercial Sales, and Schuyler Schuster, Supply Chain Director, this will be a presentation with dialog and Q&A.
• Why small brands can yield big wins — This panel explores how carrying emerging brands keeps a retail product selection fresh, attracts customers eager for unique finds, and sets a shop apart from big-box retailers. Featuring insights from a small brand CEO, a specialty shop owner, and a specialty shop buyer, the discussion will focus on how small brands foster innovation and create a discovery-driven shopping experience.
• A site visit to the Cascade Designs factory in Reno — A unique opportunity to see how products are manufactured in the U.S., this session will also highlight Cascade’s manufacturing process around air mattresses, stoves, water filter, snowshoes and storage products. It will also cover the 50-year history of Cascade’s brands and product categories, how the company manages service and repairs, and how it can help dealers around that process.
• A site visit to Patagonia’s site in Reno — Following a presentation from the Patagonia team, retailers will tour the distribution center to see how products are picked, packed and shipped. They will also visit Worn Wear Repairs, which is the largest apparel repair facility in North America. There will be time for Q&A.
• Four decades of adventure with Conrad Anker — During a morning breakfast session on Tuesday, June 11, legendary alpinist and The North Face Captain Emeritus Conrad Anker will offer a compelling journey through 40 years of transformation in the outdoor industry. Anker will reflect on how gear, values, and culture have evolved — and how the power of the outdoors remains constant.

About Grassroots Outdoor Alliance

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a retailer-owned network of 100 independently owned outdoor retailers and 67 vendor partners, working together for the health and growth of specialty outdoor retail. Through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events and deep vendor partnerships, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retail. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance also operates Connect, a twice-annual legacy show experience that spans four days, offering an efficient and structured format for retailers to conduct pre-season line showings and business conversations.