‘Outdoor Idols’ to be announced at Willard Bay demo day

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — Elevating youth awareness of outdoor recreation by spotlighting the next generation of outdoor heroes, Outdoor Industry Foundation (OIF) will name eight young athletes to the inaugural roster of Outdoor Idols at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006.

To be held at the Willard Bay demo day venue for the 2006 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, the media event will be hosted by Timmy O’Neill – the veteran climbing star who has been described as the “Robin Williams of climbing.” The event will include free ice cream and candy, a live DJ, and an Outdoor Idols poster signing.

“Outdoor Idols meshes the inspiration of the outdoor world with the youth culture’s eagerness for celebrities,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President of Outdoor Industry Association. “Let’s face it …today’s dreamers are tomorrow’s heroes. And with Outdoor Idols, we hope to fuel those dreams by providing role models to foster them.”

The 2006 Outdoor Idols were nominated and voted on by a select panel of outdoor journalists, industry leaders and outdoor athletes. The Outdoor Idols were selected from a broad range of outdoor activities, including climbing, bouldering, biking, trail running, adventure racing, whitewater paddling, mountaineering, fly-fishing, expeditions, and outdoor instruction.

To be named to the select group, each of the Outdoor Idols was required to be under the age of 25; be a rising star in their respective sport(s); exemplify the ethos of the outdoor industry; and be helping to grow participation in active outdoor recreation by motivating others to get active.

Once named, the Outdoor Idols will be utilized by OIF and OIA members as ambassadors for the active outdoor lifestyle to the youth market, and ambassadors for the youth market to the outdoor industry.

Throughout the Outdoor Retailer show, the Outdoor Idols will make a string of appearances at special events, including the Outdoor Industry Association Industry Breakfast (Aug. 10, 7:30 am, The Marriott); periodic poster signings at the Outdoors Idols truck located off the South Plaza; and the Outdoor Industry Foundation keynote presentation (Aug. 13, 7:30 a.m., The Marriott).

Information on the Outdoor Idols, including upcoming appearances, pictures, biographies, and nomination forms for winter 2007, will be available at www.outdooridols.org, beginning August 9th.

About Outdoor Industry Foundation & Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Industry Foundation (OIF) is a non-profit foundation established by Outdoor Industry Association to encourage active outdoor recreation for all Americans. OIF’s charter is to increase participation in outdoor recreation and to encourage and support healthier, more active lifestyles through education, partnerships, programs and advocacy. For more information go to www.outdoorindustryfoundation.org or call 303.444.3353.

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