Firewire Teams with 3point5.com to Release Online Retail Training

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (May 12, 2008) – Firewire, a relative newcomer in surfboard manufacturing that has expanded quickly onto the international surfing scene, recently teamed with 3point5.com to produce online retail sales training.

“3point5.com was a good fit for Firewire, which has factories in the U.S. and Thailand and is heavily committed to surfboard research and development,” said Firewire CEO Mark Price.

“This online training gives us a platform to consistently explain our technology and product attributes,” Price said. “We expect it will significantly strengthen conversations on the salesfloor.”

Known for its work with outdoor, snowsports and hunt/fish brands, 3point5.com splashed into the action sports market when it released it’s first-ever surfboard training site on behalf of Firewire.

The 3point5.com training is designed to teach brand, technology and product knowledge to retail salespeople selling Firewire surfboards. 3point5.com tests retail employees using interactive “Edu-Games”, which salespeople must pass to earn deep discounts on the products they sell.

“The contract with Firewire marks a milestone for 3point5.com, which has been positioning itself to market retail training in the Action Sports arena,” said 3point5.com CEO Duncan Robins.

“The Action Sports market – including surfing and skateboarding – is ready for the kind of in-depth online training that 3point5.com can provide,” Robins said. “Firewire was a great fit four our first surf training.”

3point5.com is in the process of developing product training for surfboards and skateboards that will supplement the company’s Action Sports brand offerings. The product training, written by published experts in the field, will include terms, anatomy, timelines and sales tips for retail salespeople.

About 3point5.com
3point5.com is an online campus that represents over 71,000 registered pros and sales professionals, 250 manufacturers and over 8,900 retailers in an increasing number of industries, including Outdoor, Snow, Bike, Action Sports, Golf, Tennis and Hunt/Fish. 3point5.com offers a fun and secure place for retail sales professionals to train, access information and interact within their industry. Contact John Telfer – 714.368.7583 jt@3point5.com

About Firewire
While a relative newcomer to the surfboard market, with the success of Future Shapes Technology FIREWIRE has elevated the discussion around surfboard technology and performance, adding concepts like FLEX, PARABOLIC and SANDWICH CONSTRUCTION to the dialogue. FIREWIRE has pushed the envelope further with the recent introduction of Direct Drive 2.0; a carbon rod suspension technology which builds on the Future Shapes design platform. Heading into our third year in business, FIREWIRE surfboards are now available in 27 countries around the world and are ridden by Taj Burrow, the #2 surfer on the WCT in 2007. In short, we are committed to the Future of Shape.