As the old adage goes, necessity is the mother of invention. A little over ten years ago, ten thousand feet up in the Colorado Rockies, while re-tying his heavy, wet snowboard boot laces, Gary Hammerslag, Creator and Founder of Boa Technology, came to the realization that shoelaces were an inadequate closure system for snowboard boots. This was just one of the classic experiences over a two-year testing span that inspired Gary to develop early Boa prototype reels, laces and guides, the foundation of today’s Boa Closure System.

From left to right: Alex Draper, K2 Vice President of Product Development, Anthony De Rocco, K2 Executive Vice President of Global Brand & Product Development, Robert Marcovitch, President of K2 Sports, Gary Hammerslag, Founder & CEO of Boa Technology Inc.

Boa now offers more options than ever before to suit the construction and performance closure demands of leading snowboard, snowmobile and ski boot design. “In 1998 when Boa Technology started, we offered one snowboard closure system, the Original Boa, and had two very strong industry partners, Vans and K2,” says Hammerslag. “Ten years later, our roots are still solid with Vans and K2 and we work with the most innovative brands in the industry, while offering a total of six and counting Boa snow closure systems highlighted by the H2 Coiler reel, HP 42 Lace and Focus dual-zonal closure. “

Continuing to focus on retail education and emphasizing listening and learning from global partners, athletes, media, retailers and consumers, Boa has gained a 360-degree view of the Boa Closure System in action around the world. This valued insight coupled with innovative design is the catalyst of Boa’s successful growth into other categories and unwavering partner relationships.

Says Joel Yang, Department of Boot Wizardry at K2 Snowboarding, “Performance. Precision. Innovation. Boa delivers them all.”

We would like to throw out a huge high five to the newest member of the 2011 Boa Closure System Snowboard Team, Fredrik Evensen. Hailing form Oslo, Norway and wearing the Head 5Star Boa boot featuring the Boa Instep Grasp System, Fredrik is an extremely versatile rider who can be seen in high-level competitions, such as X-Games Europe, as well as being featured in numerous Isenseven videos. Fredrik is also sponsored by O’Neill outerwear. Welcome to the Boa snowboarding team Fredrik!

Welcome to Boa Fredrik!

On Saturday, January 8, Boa Marketing Director Graubins headed to Colorado’s Indian Peaks to tackle what has quickly become known as one of the toughest snowshoe races around: the Hardwater 30K. The 18.6-mile snowshoe romp takes place at altitudes entirely above 10,000 feet. In all, it climbs a total of 2,500 feet and provides the ultimate proving grounds for the features and benefits of the Boa Closure System.

“We’re always looking for new ways to apply and test the Boa Closure System in grueling conditions,” says Graubins. “This snowshoe race seemed like a good opportunity. It’s gnarly out there, and we know from our experience in snowboarding and skiing that Boa can handle the worst winter weather that Mother Nature dishes out.”

Graubins Looking Strong at Mile 13

Graubins ran the race in a pair of Pearl Izumi running shoes prototyped with the Boa Closure System (the shoes were bolted to a pair of Atlas snowshoes). “I dialed into the exact fit at the start and never had to readjust or re-tie,” says Graubins. “Further, the system locked in my foot the entire time and didn’t collect snow, slush, and ice like standard lace-up shoes are prone to doing during these events. This kept them more lightweight, too.”

Against a field of roughly 35 hearty racers, Graubins won in a time of four hours and five minutes.

Congrats to Calvin Staub for his back to back wins in Boa at the Sqaw Peak Outlaw downhill longboard race! Stay tuned for more pics and video!