Ocean Minded is pleased to announce the addition of surfer and globetrotter Holly Beck, renowned Hawaiian watermen Aaron and Riggs Napoleon, SUP Yoga devotee Gillian Gibree, and artist Heather Ritts to its team of Brand Ambassadors.

Holly Beck is a surfer, explorer, adventurer, and inspirer originally from Palos Verdes, CA. After spending seven years as a competitive surfer, Beck decided to focus her time on travel in search of new waves, people and cultures. Beck joins 2011 Ocean Minded surf Brand Ambassadors Greg and Rusty Long, Daniel Jones, Raph Bruhwiler and other key regional surfers.

Hailing from Oahu, Hawaii, father and son duo Aaron and Riggs Napoleon carry on the generations’ deep tradition of Hawaiian watermen. Aaron’s SUP race resume boasts multiple podium finishes in benchmark SUP competitions like the Battle of the Paddle. Equally ambitious, his 13 year old son Riggs pushes himself while racing among the best SUP athletes in the world.

Gillian Gibree is a Massachusetts native who developed a love for the ocean while lifeguarding on Cape Cod. After college Gibree spent some time traveling and lifeguarding, until she moved to California to start a SUP clinic, ‘Paddle Into Fitness’. The clinic offers beginner lessons, SUP Yoga, and SUP Fitness in San Diego, Sunset Beach, and retreats worldwide. Gibree and the Napoleons join Ocean Minded SUP Brand Ambassadors Chuck Patterson and Candice Appleby.

            In addition to these great athletes, Ocean Minded welcomes artist Heather Ritts. Her passion for the ocean inspires Ritts to capture the simple beauty of the sea in vibrant and detailed paintings.  Working closely with Ocean Minded, Ritts has painted surfboards, beach cleanup posters, and card designs for the company. Ritts joins Ocean Minded artist Wyland.

            “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Holly, Aaron, Riggs, Gillian and Heather,” said Jake Barret, Ocean Minded’s Brand Ambassador Coordinator.  “It’s very exciting to work with such a respected and talented group”.

This video shows, just how ‘Eventually, Everything ends up in the ocean”.
The Majestic Plastic Bag — A Mockumentary

• The Ocean
• Nature
• Trees
• Animals
• Rocks
• Corals

Likes/Loves:

• Surfing
• Body Surfing
• Snorkeling
• Art
• Photography
• Sketching and Painting
• Eating good food
• Traveling (experiencing different cultures)

Words to Live by/Favorite Quote: “Live your dream, don’t dream your life”

Dave says the secret to his success is to ‘take a personal approach – not only with your staff, but also with your customers’. He does this by spending quite a bit of time traveling with each sales rep and working with them to enhance their respective territories. While on the road, Dave regularly visits our retail accounts and strengthens our partnerships, in order to grow the business of both parties. When he’s not working, Dave can be found at home with his family, or surfing his favorite Orange County secret spot.

Inspired By:

• The ocean
• Nature
• Music
• Hardworking people who are passionate about what they do

Likes/Loves:

• Spending time with my wife Micah and our boys Evan & Mason (pictured above with his son Evan at the Ocean Minded office)
• Family
• Friends
• Surfing
• Camping
• Playing guitar
• Laughing with my friends but usually laughing at them
• Golfing
• Mountain biking
• Eating good food and drinking beer
• Favorite Quote: ‘There’s nothing that a good day of surfing won’t cure’

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — September 28, 2009 — Ocean Minded is proud to announce a 5-year licensing agreement with renowned marine life artist and environmental advocate, Wyland. Sharing a vision for a healthy environment, Ocean Minded and Wyland will work together to inspire others to have a positive impact on the earth through unique art and eco-conscious footwear.

“We are thrilled to embark upon this new endeavor with Wyland and produce co-branded, eco-friendly footwear. Our two brands enjoy quite a bit of synergy, and we look forward to bringing this excitement to our global consumers via products and relevant events,” said Bob Tannner, Director of Marketing, Ocean Minded.
Wyland’s commitment to environmental conservation over the last thirty years is widely recognized through his renowned Whaling Wall project, a series of 100 monumental marine life murals in 100 cities throughout the world. His paintings, sculptures, and photography have raised global awareness, and his non-profit Wyland Foundation supports numerous conservation programs, including new partnerships with the US Forest Service, NOAA, and the United Nations Environment Program. The foundation actively teaches millions of students about the conservation of our ocean, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands through public art, traveling exhibitions, and classroom education. Today, Wyland is considered one of the most influential artists of the 21st Century, with artwork in museums, corporate collections, and private homes in more than one hundred countries.
“We’re extremely proud to have found a partner like Ocean Minded,” Wyland says. “It’s not often that a company can create great looking, contemporary footwear and at the same time minimize its environmental impact.”
This new licensing agreement will allow co-branding opportunities for both organizations. Ocean Minded will produce an exclusive line of Wyland footwear using various combinations of certain sustainable and recycled materials, and distribute it their tier one retail accounts around the world. The first Wyland-Ocean Minded products will be in stores by the beginning of June 2010. Along with this new line of sandals and shoes, will be various public events that will help spread Ocean Minded’s philosophy to Live, Protect, and Respect the environment.

For more information visit www.oceanminded.com and www.wyland.com

About Ocean Minded, Inc.

That simple idea is the foundation of our company. Being ‘ocean minded’ and living an ‘ocean lifestyle’ begins with the inspiration and allure that the world’s oceans and beaches offer each one of us. The Ocean Minded™ brand enables an individual to identify, visualize, and embrace their personal beach and water-oriented passions in the course of their daily adventure. Whether you’re devoted to surfing in Hawaii, kayaking on the Sea of Cortez, snorkeling over the Great Barrier Reef, or warming up around a campfire in Big Sur, Ocean Minded™ welcomes you with open arms.

Live. Protect. Respect. ™

We can no longer deny that our planet is rapidly becoming a crowded and polluted place. Our chosen lifestyle, and the passion for the ocean we all share, cannot be taken for granted. Ocean Minded™ believes we should utilize recycled and sustainable materials in our footwear, apparel, and accessories whenever possible, and we consistently strive to achieve this. Additionally, we feel that as both a corporation, and a group of individuals, it is essential to Live, Protect, and Respect our environment. Since 1996, we have been organizing community beach clean-ups around the world, and educating our customers on the importance of leaving their chosen playgrounds in better condition than when they were found. Our belief that everything eventually ends up in the ocean has led us to host additional clean-ups in the mountains, as well as on the banks of inland rivers and lakes.

These values are the cornerstones of our Brand, and we invite you to Be Ocean Minded™

Media Contact:
Kendall Moyles
Ocean Minded, Inc.
949-373-8117
Kendall.leopold@oceanminded.com