K2 Snowboard’s Retailer Trip To Surf Snowdonia
When the guys at K2 got in touch to see if we fancied heading to Wales for a couple of days surfing at Surf Snowdonia – no pushy sales presentations, just surfing and beers with friends – we made sure the diary was clear. Words and images by SOURCE Ed-In-Chief, Harry Mitchell Thompson.
The K2 Mafia. Rider Steve Gruber with Euro Sales Manager Andy Threimer & Euro Marketing Whiz, Sebi Schmitz
K2 drew names out of a hat of retailers from Germany, Switzerland, France and The Netherlands. The lucky winners were Altmann Sports (SUI), Sport Trend Shop (SUI), Laboshop (FR), Snowleader (FR), Sport Kaiser (GER), Surfline Kiel (GER), Warehouse One (GER), Behind The Pines (NDL) and Freestyle (NDL).
Hwyliau / Cheers / Proste / Sante
The crew arrived at the newly re-branded Adventure Park Snowdonia on a balmy Thursday afternoon after flights arriving into Manchester, a short 90 minute drive from the surfing haven. Retailers got stuck into the wave, getting to grips with the man-made lefts and rights, which can at first be tricky for those accustomed to surfing in the ocean. A combination of skill levels from beginner to intermediate and advanced ensured the wave tested everyone’s abilities. K2 invited their snow pro Steve Gruber, who fresh off the back of a Portuguese surf trip, was chomping at the bit to try his first piece of Wavegarden action.
Crew! Retailers taking shade from the Welsh heat!
While mainland Europe suffered in record breaking temperatures, the Welsh 25 degree sunshine provided a welcomed backdrop to a fantastic couple of days, where plenty of waves and beers were shared with a great team.
While in Snowdonia, we had a quick catchup with Adventure Park Snowdonia MD Andy Ainscough (pictured below) to hear more about their new development. Scheduled to open in August is their all-new “Adventure Indoor” zone that aims to give partners, friends and family who don’t surf something to get their teeth stuck into while their loved ones are surfing. Andy also informed me their Hilton Garden Inn is due to open in November 2020, to provide a more elevated sleeping experience for those not so keen on sleeping in “glamping” pods. Hilton clearly fancies a piece of the surfing lifestyle action, locating their “fantastic Hilton Garden Inn hotels in some of the world’s most vibrant destinations.”
Surf Snowdonia (now re-branded Adventure Park Snowdonia) MD Andy Ainscough on site, stoked on the new build underway and always good to chat all things surf, wave pools and retail with this fine chap
