Elena Coe-McNamara
Staff Writer
In addition to catching waves, the Mira Costa surf team caught an opportunity to go on a field trip to the Vans warehouse.
Costa’s surf team toured the Vans headquarters on Oct. 29 in Orange County after signing a sponsorship with Vans in August. On the field trip, the surf team took a complete tour of the facilities, received products and assisted Vans in product development.
“There was a lot of artistic inspiration in the original art in their offices,” junior surf team member Ceca Radl said. “I learned a lot about working at Vans and the business as a whole as well, which was a great experience.”
Each surf team member gave his or her individual input regarding different Vans’ products, such as board shorts and shoes. They also had a chance to preview products that will not be coming out for another year and are still in the production process.
“I really liked seeing the new ideas and designs for products,” sophomore Miles Douglas said. “In the products coming there is new technology that we have never seen before.”
While in the warehouse, Vans employees talked to team members about internship opportunities as well as the relationship Vans has with its professional athletes. At the end of the field trip, team members were able to ask questions, everyone received a backpack filled with school supplies, and the boys received board shorts while the girl team members received shoes.
“To be involved in product development was really cool,” junior surf team member Amelie Vergnolle said. “They asked what we thought they were missing and what they could do better.”
The warehouse included a new, indoor skate park, the shoe design room and the board short design room and many offices. Inside, employees work in many different fields allowing the company to run smoothly.
“It was incredible to see the business side of the surf industry,” said Vergnolle. “It showed us some jobs that we could potentially be doing in the future.”
Costa’s Vans sponsorship was signed due to surf coach Tracey Geller’s persistence in contacting the company for two years. After countless letters, Steve Van Doren, co-owner of Vans, responded to Geller and said that the company would like to meet the them in order to help fund the team’s expenses as well as become a sponsor of the team.
“I was told that they’re too big and corporate and that they would never sponsor a high school team,” Geller said. “ However, I got fired back up and I didn’t quit, and we finally connected with them.”
Before the team had ever been to the headquarters, the team members had already received a pair of shoes, as well as towels and board shorts. The Company came down to the beach to meet the team, and everyone was able to meet Van Doren and some of his associates.
“It’s great to have a such big name backing up our surf team,” senior captain Luke Jacquemetton said. “They’re trying to get us to participate in more surf competitions, such as the National Scholastic Surfing Association, at the state and national level, and helping with their designs was super cool and unique.”
Vans will now help fund Costa’s surf program and supply the team members with Vans merchandise. In addition, the Vans name will be attached to the Costa team whenever team members compete in a surf contest. Vans will also be listed on their team gear with the surf team’s other sponsors, Spyder Surfboards, Bodyglove, Spy Sunglasses, and Waterman’s Safehouse restaurant.
“Our kids hard work is why we got sponsored,” Geller said. “They just need to keep doing what they’re doing.”
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