August 24, 2001

Elevation Snowboards has signed Marcus Egge as its second major teamrider and also as a part owner of the brand. Elevation grabbed Egge after he left Burton due to budget cuts and the limitations of riding for a single company. �I�m getting older, and I wanted to shake it up a bit, so I decided to be part owner, and help out with the design and other aspects of a smaller company,� he says.

Marcus Egge in the Elevation factory. Photo: Rucker

At Burton he helped to design the Custom board series, and now hopes to implement his prior experiences at Elevation. He joins former K2 teamrider Chris Englesman as a part owner in the brand.

While Elevation�s slogan �rider owned, rider driven� echoes the sentiments of other board companies sprouting up in the past few seasons, this company has experience. Founder Bert Lamar is staging his second go around as a snowboard manufacturer, and Egge is stoked on that fact: �Every time I hear of a new snowboard company, I just don�t think of it doing very well. I think there are a lot of things Elevation can do, just knowing Chris� [Englesman] and my own experience, and then working with Bert [Lamar]. I think its going to be pretty cool.�

As investors, the two teamriders will have a greater involvement in the company by participating in all sides of the design, advertising, and the graphics of each of their own board series. Lamar is extremely encouraged: �Whatever levels [of the company] they want to be involved in�I want them to have the opportunity to be. Rider owned and operated is not just a motto, but our philosophy.�

Elevation Snowboards is also pleased to announce that its new line of snowboards will be produced and marketing in a full-series mini-boards collection by Tech Deck/X-concepts.

The Tech Decks will be marketing and sold in conjunction with the snowboarding game for the Activision play-system. The mini boards will also be sold separately. Current targets for distribution include the large chain toy stores like Toy�s �R Us, Target, KB Toys, along with some video, music, electronic, and sporting goods stores.

Elevation is excited for the release of the toys, as it will increase brand awareness among the companies target consumers. Additionally, the company will attempt to feature direct links from the Tech Decks to its Web site for a chance to win a real snowboard.