OAKLEY TO OFFER SKI/SNOWBOARD PROGRESSION CAMPS FOR WOMEN

Oakley “Progression Sessions” Will Help Girls Take Performance to the Next Level

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. – Oakley, Inc. announced the launch of a new two-day camp program that will instruct and inspire girls who wish to advance their skills in ski and snowboard progression. Staffed with professional coaches, four Oakley Progression Sessions are scheduled for March 2011.

“Oakley has a proud heritage in winter sports, and these two-day clinics will empower girls who want to advance their skills and raise their own bar of performance,” said Oakley Women’s Brand Manager Jenny Earnshaw. “Girls don’t have to be intimidated by big jumps, aggressive rails or huge pipes. With one-on-one coaching and casual time with our coaching staff and professional athletes, girls will get the instruction they need to build confidence, expand their repertoire of tricks, and push the limits of possibility for what they can achieve in winter sports,” Earnshaw concluded.

Under the supervision of head coach Mary Walsh, each two-day camp will be offered to 40 snowboard participants and 10 ski participants. The current list of Oakley pro coaches slated to take part includes Gretchen Bleiler, Marie-France Roy, Chanelle Sladics, Silvia Mittermuller, Dominique Vallee, Grete Eliassen and Kristi Leskinen. All are world renowned for their prowess and expertise in winter sports.

Oakley is excited to announce its partnerships with the following resorts for the 2011 Progression Sessions series: “Droppin In” at Loon Mountain, NH (March 5th–6th); Canyons, UT (March 12th–13th); Winter Park, CO (March 19th–20th); and Northstar-at-Tahoe, CA (March 26th–27th). The decision to hold the premiere camp at Loon Mountain was made to honor the relationship between Oakley and the popular facility, which teamed last year to hold the “Droppin In” event. It was a tremendous success, and this inspired Oakley to not only extend the partnership but to create its own event based on the platform.

Oakley has designed the camp to provide a relaxed, low-pressure environment where each girl can learn at her own pace and comfort level. It will be an opportunity to make new friends with other girls who share a love of riding, and to have fun while learning new skills from top pros. Girls will also gain a deeper insight into Oakley innovation, as the company’s Rolling O Lab will be on hand to demonstrate the superior performance and protection of the company’s products. In addition, a better understanding of the Oakley Women’s brand will allow girls to connect with the outgoing, active and fun-inspired lifestyle represented by the brand.

Visit Oakley.com to learn more about the company’s pro female athletes, sport performance innovations and lifestyle products for women.

About Oakley, Inc.
Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of more than 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with innovations that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible.

Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics® (HDO®) which is incorporated into all Oakley sun and prescription eyewear, and goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world’s leading sports eyewear brand into apparel, footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both men’s and women’s product lines that target Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com