May 8, 2013
ZEAL + The Get Out More Tour

ZEAL is proud to be the official eyewear sponsor of Backpacker’s Get Out More Tour. This tour is a one-of-a-kind mobile education series that brings Backpacker’s authoritative editorial advice to life. The tour features in-depth retail workshops and presentations, as well as guided outdoor adventures for active and aspiring outdoor enthusiasts.

ZEAL is the Get Out More Tour’s eyewear of choice and will be highlighted on this tour as a must-have piece of gear while enjoying the outdoors! The combination between active elements, incredible optical clarity, and stylish designs makes ZEAL the perfect sunglass choice for any outdoor enthusiast.

Want to join us on the Get Out More Tour? Check out the tour dates below to see when it comes to your area! For more info on the tour, click here.

May 8: Eddie Bauer – Lone Tree, Colorado
May 14: Mast General Store – Knoxville, Tennessee
May 16-19: Appalachian Trail Days Festival – Damascus, Virginia
May 21: High Country Outfitters – Atlanta, Georgia
May 22: Mast General Store – Greenville, South Carolina
May 23: Mast General Store – Columbia, South Carolina
May 28: Wild River Outfitters – Virginia Beach, Virginia
May 29: Blue Ridge Mountain Sports – Richmond, Virginia
May 31: The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen – Wintergreen, Virginia

June 1: Nelson County Appalachian Trail Days – Roseland, Virginia
June 4: Nat’s Outdoor Store – Bowling Green, Kentucky
June 11: The Benchmark Outdoor Outfitter – Blue Ash, Ohio
June 13: The Benchmark Outdoor Outfitter – Lexington, Kentucky
June 22: Adventures NYC Festival- New York, New York
June 25: EMS – Danbury, Connecticut
June 26: EMD – Newton, Massachusetts
June 27: Kittery Trading Post – Kittery, Maine

April 29, 2013
PRESS RELEASE: ZEAL Optics Welcomes Surfer Liz Clark to the Team

April 29, 2013 – Boulder, Co. – ZEAL Optics is proud to call professional surfer, international sailor and explorer, Liz Clark, part of the ZEAL pro team. Known for being a strong advocator for environmental awareness, surfing, sailing, and a passion for adventure, Liz also dedicates herself to simple living and hard work. Liz’s career highlights include National Scholastic Surfing Association and College Women’s National Surfing Champion 2001. In 2007 Surfing Magazine named Liz one of five “World’s Most Committed Surfers”. In 2008 she completed the first solo ocean crossing to and from the Line Islands from French Polynesia for 3,500 miles.

“We are proud to call Liz part of the ZEAL family,” said ZEAL president John Sanchez. “Not only is she incredibly accomplished, she embodies the values of ZEAL – eco responsibility, social responsibility and living your life outdoors and to the fullest.”

Having grown up in Southern California Liz has a special connection with the water. Her passion for leaving the ocean just as she found it is inspirational. Heavily influenced by her first sailing trip as a child, the trip set the course for her incredible life. Since 2006 the Swell, her sailboat, has been her home and travel companion in adventuring through the vast seas the world has to offer.

Liz is now continuing her life journey aboard Swell navigating over 18,000 nautical miles of ocean to date. Her exploration of the world has led her to an inspiring life and she believes, “There’s always more to learn”. Her full heart and relentless positivity drives her to make a difference in any way possible.

“ZEAL’s eyewear is made out of castor bean oil, not petroleum! This means fun, high-quality eyewear without compromising my commitment to sustainable living,” said Liz Clark. “My most powerful activism is through the choices I make in my daily life–being true to myself, loving my fellow humans, and honoring the Earth every chance I get and I only partner with companies that embody these same values.”

For some inspiration and adventure, check out Liz’s blog at www.swellvoyage.com

April 22, 2013
Music Monday & Athlete Catch Up with Chase Mastel

Name: Chase Anton Mastel
Hometown: Buffalo, MN
Current Location: Buffalo, MN
Sport: Wakeboarding
How long have you been doing your sport for? Strapped on an O’brien Buzz in 97’ for the first time and I got my first sponsor, Slingshot Wakeboards, in 2007.
Hobbies other than Wakeboarding: Snowboarding, kiteboarding, fishing, hunting, photography and video.
What do you love about ZEAL?: How when I put a pair of shades or goggles on, I feel like it adds saturation to my life. I recently had a chance to visit HQ in Boulder and it was really rewarding to meet some of the people behind the brand! ZEAL is truly an awesome company run by awesome people!
Favorite ZEAL product: Caramel Turquoise Gloss Brewer
What inspires you?: My friends and my fiancé Kailee are probably my biggest inspiration. I have met some of the most important people in my life because of wakeboarding and that is pretty sweet.

April 19, 2013
PRESS RELEASE: ZEAL Optics Honored as Part of Making Colorado Marketing Campaign

April 19, 2013 – Boulder, CO – Making Colorado has officially tasked Boulder-based ZEAL Optics to participate in Governor Hickenlooper’s new marketing campaign. The campaign, which will last through the end of August, was created to define a new image for Colorado, featuring brands that embody the spirit of the state. ZEAL’s brand story will be shared throughout the nation as a leading example of what makes Colorado great. ZEAL’s brand identity originates from Colorado, promoting the active lifestyle that Coloradans are famous for, making it a great fit for the campaign.

“ZEAL is proud to be based in Colorado,” added ZEAL’s President John Sanchez. “We love being in the heart of the action, feeling the pulse of the action outdoor industry everyday. The community values sustainability and that focus is a driving factor for why Boulder is a great fit. We are excited to give back to our great state in any way we can.”

With handcrafted design straight from the heart of the Rocky Mountains, ZEAL Optics is the only goggle brand based in Colorado. Also the only sunglass brand in the world to make their entire line of sunglasses from a plant-based resin, ZEAL is committed to being a global industry leader in sustainability. ZEAL’s brand identity originates from Colorado, promoting the active lifestyle that Coloradans are famous for, which makes it a perfect fit for the campaign. Even ZEAL headquarters is built with Colorado beetle-kill wood accents to help reuse the dead wood from nearby forests in an effort to continue to give back to the community that encourages ZEAL.

“Colorado has a heart and soul like no other state,” said Hickenlooper. “We launched the Making Colorado initiative to create and market a stronger Colorado brand. Together, we will define what Colorado stands for and how to convey that to the world to help ensure our communities, culture and environment are strong and vibrant for decades to come.”

For more information about what makes Colorado great and how to win a collection of ZEAL sunglasses go to www.makingcolorado.gov.

April 15, 2013
Music Monday with Danielle Wyman

Danielle Wyman is a rad chick that is taking the highschool surf scene by storm! Check out what gets her in the mood to compete, what she’s into and where you can see her in action below!

Name: Danielle Wyman
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, CA
Current Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Sport: Surfing
Favorite Surf Spot: Creek and Lowers
How long have you been surfing for? 10 years
Hobbies other than surfing: snowboarding!
What do you love about ZEAL?: I love all the designs and colors that ZEAL sunglasses have! They are fashionable and comfortable all at the same time.
Favorite ZEAL product: Darby and Brewer
What inspires you?: Surfing inspires me because it pushes me to try my best in everything I do.

Upcoming Events:
April 20-21 NSSA Open @ Uppers
April 20-22 SSS Highschool State Champs @ Oceanside
May 9-11 Volcom VQS Champs @ Newport
May 16-19 NSSA West Coast Champs @ HB Pier
June 18-22 Surfing America USA Champs @ Lowers
June 26 – July 3 NSSA Nationals @ HB Pier