Easy Rider – Mervin sales contest trip!

If you remember back this past winter, we had a contest in the store where if you bought a Lib Tech or Gnu snowboard you could win a trip to the Mervin (parent company of Lib Tech and Gnu) offices and factory in Washington state.

Well Dean was the lucky customer, and Robert was the lucky staff member that won the trip.

So at the end of April we all hopped on a plane and flew to Seattle.
From the airport it was time for breakfast – then to the offices.
We met the gang – including Mervin co-founder Pete Saari.
We checked out some of the “collectables” and crazy one off boards – and was stoked to see one of our “prize” boards for the Snowboard Cup a few years back up on the walls.

We then did the typical Seattle tourist tour of the waterfront area – and then headed for lunch.
After lunch we hopped on the ferry – and then made the drive out to the factory in Sequim, WA

The next morning it was a full factory tour showing how the snowboards are made.
The Mervin factory is the “greenest” snowboard factory in the world.  Not only is everything recycled – but they also use no harmful chemicals in the entire production of the boards (that’s why no one is wearing a breathing mask).

Next it was a super rad lunch of fish tacos at a local spot – then back to the factory where we all got to make our own snowboards!

We even met up with the other co-founder Mike Olson.

It was an amazing trip – and I would like to Thank everyone at Mervin for being so accommodating to us all.
Special Thanks to Adam and Kevin for being our tour guides for the trip.

Remember – It Pays to Shop at Easy Rider!

L to R - Dean, Pete, Robert, Warren
L to R – Dean, Pete Saari, Robert, Warren
The Weird and wonderful minds at Mervin!
The Weird and wonderful minds at Mervin!
We are famous!
We are famous!

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The famous Gum Wall
The famous Gum Wall
See ya Seattle
See ya Seattle
Glad to see Easy Rider is represented at the factory.
Glad to see Easy Rider is represented at the factory.
This is how your snowboard starts life. Wood!
This is how your snowboard starts life. Wood!
Wood is glued up into large blocks.
Wood is glued up into large blocks.
Then cut and machined into cores.
Then cut and machined into cores.
Holes for the inserts are drilled.
Holes for the inserts are drilled.
Top sheets and base graphics are printed.
Top sheets and base graphics are printed.
Die cut bases.
Die cut bases.
All the excess plastic is bundled and sent to be turned into sidewall material.
All the excess plastic is bundled and sent to be turned into sidewall material.
Lots of pretty colors of sidewall material.
Lots of pretty colors of sidewall material.
Robert starting the process of making his board.
Robert starting the process of making his board.
Dean "wetting out" a glass layer in his board.
Dean “wetting out” a glass layer in his board.
Robert adding some epoxy to the core.
Robert adding some epoxy to the core.
Dean putting on the top sheet.
Dean putting on the top sheet.
After the boards came out of the presses - we let the professionals take over.
After the boards came out of the presses – we let the professionals take over.
Snowboards - made by snowboarders with jobs!
Snowboards – made by snowboarders with jobs!
The lucky Winners!
The lucky Winners!
L to R Warren, Dean, Mike Olson, Robert
L to R Warren, Dean, Mike Olson, Robert