Wax Research’s Wend Snow Wax has just signed US Open of Snowboarding champion (and Olympian) Kazu Kokubo to the team.
“I’ve tried so many waxes for so long and for the first time I’ve noticed a huge difference in the way my board rides after using Wend this past summer in New Zealand,” remarked Kazu. “Whether it was heli trip in Methven or pipe training in Wanaka, every Wend wax I tried was awesome. I’m really happy that John and family have welcomed me into the Wend family. I can’t wait for winter!”
Wonder if Kazu will have someone like Julia traveling with him to keep his boards waxed? Probably not if Tomoe has anything to say about it. Follow the jump for the official word from Wax Research.
Kazu Kokubo Joins WEND Wax World Team
Carlsbad, California
September 2011
WEND SNOW WAX by Wax Research welcomes Olympic snowboarder and reigning US Open champion Kazu Kokubo to its World Snowboard Team.
Having been born in Hokkaido, a region world renowned for some of the best snow in the world, Kazu was brought in to a world blanketed with powder. It was shortly thereafter at the age of 4, that his father would introduce him to the world of snowboarding and forever change his life.
With half pipes and parks far and few between on Hokkaido, it wasn’t until 5 years later that Kazu would ride his first half pipe and another 4 before entering his first contest in 2001. With only 2 years of competition experience under his belt, Kazu was chaperoned to Stratton, Vermont by Burton Japan Team Managers the Holy Grail of all snowboard competitions, The Burton US Open of Snowboarding. It was in March of 2003 that the world would get their first taste of Kazuhiro “Kazu” Kokubo after solid performance and clenching 2nd place among the most elite snowboarders in the world.
With 2 Olympics (2006 Torino / 2010 Vancouver) already on his resume along with consecutive back to back US Open titles (2010 / 2011) it’s easy to overlook the fact that he is only 23 years old. If the past is any indication of the future, we’re excited to see what’s next for this Big Mountain, Back Country, Half Pipe Samurai from Hokkaido, Japan.
“I’ve tried so many waxes for so long and for the first time I’ve noticed a huge difference in the way my board rides after using Wend this past summer in New Zealand,” remarked Kazu. “Whether it was heli trip in Methven or pipe training in Wanaka, every Wend wax I tried was awesome. I’m really happy that John and family have welcomed me into the Wend family. I can’t wait for winter!”
“Kazu inspires us here at WEND and we are stoked to have him a part of our WEND team crew. His unique spirit, determination and phenomenal athleticism bring a tremendous energy to the company,” said John Dahl. “I’m looking forward to working on his signature wax with him and supporting Kazu’s animal relief efforts in Japan through JEARS.”
Kokubo and his wife, Tomoe, have lent their support to animal rescue as a key element to stabilizing life for the people in Japan. They found Japanese Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support (JEARS) during an online search and were impressed with the group’s mission, lack of political focus and the fact that there was no bureaucracy to wade through. “JEARS is about action first, paperwork later, and that appealed to me,” Kokubo said. www.jears.org
About Wend
WEND is a brand of snow waxes and accessories manufactured by Wax Research. Although Wax Research has produced snow waxes for many well-known international snow brands the WEND snow wax line was launched in 2003. It has evolved to incorporate natural components including palm, plant and mineral waxes. A new super slick oil from flower seed that acts as a natural silicone has been added to the formula after extensive testing in the U.S., Peru and New Zealand. WEND continues to offer a sophisticated line of racing waxes, overlays, and a full range of shop waxes, retail bars and pastes. The strength of WEND comes from the input received from its team of international star athletes. www.wendusa.com
About Wax Research
Wax Research is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2012, and is recognized by the international surfing community as one of the original action sport accessory companies. It was founded in 1972 by John Dahl with the purpose of manufacturing surf and ski waxes and accessories, and continues as a family owned and operated global business today. Wax Research brands include Sticky Bumps, Ransom and WEND, and are sold by reps and distributors worldwide. Its headquarters are located in Carlsbad, California, USA.
www.waxresearch.com
This kid is the future- I’ve seen him ride and he’s oozing style like CK.
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