YOLO Board & The 30A Company Announce New Partnership

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Florida - Two local companies -- YOLO Board and The 30A Company -- announced a major new partnership that will span numerous lines of business, including retail, merchandise, rental services, tours, marketing, charities, events and more. Both companies are true "South Walton originals," born in Walton County.

Jeff Archer founded YOLO Board in 2006, armed with the motto "You Only Live Once" and a deep passion for sharing the emerging sport of standup paddling with the world. Mike Ragsdale created the 30A lifestyle brand around the same time, and the two companies have experienced dramatic growth ever since.

"Jeff and I have been friends ever since I moved here, before either of us started our current companies," said Ragsdale. "Over the years, we've routinely shared ideas and inspirations for growing our respective companies, and I've been astounded to witness YOLO Board's evolution into an internationally known brand."

Archer said that the two lifestyle brands and companies share natural synergies.

"YOLO's roots are firmly planted here along Scenic Highway 30-A, while The 30A Company is all about promoting our local lifestyle, including activities such as biking and paddling," said Archer. "Our brands have always shared an informal alliance, but now that both companies are moving into a new phase of rapid growth, it makes sense to combine our resources and strategic visions."

Ragsdale said that the new partnership involves many moving parts, including an annual line of custom 30A YOLO Bikes, 30A YOLO Boards, paddles and other related accessories.

"We'll also be announcing new joint 30A / YOLO social and charitable initiatives soon," said Ragsdale. "The partnership will impact both companies and our community in so many exciting new ways. We're really setting the stage for the next 10 years."

For more SUP Industry News, click here.

ABOUT YOLO BOARD

"YOLO Board didn't invent standup paddling or its boards... but its savvy, marketing-driven approach has, despite the sport's West Coast roots, made the Santa Rosa Beach, FL-based company an industry leader," said Entrepreneur magazine. YOLO Board, LLC, is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of standup paddleboards, paddles, equipment, lifestyle apparel and accessories.

Since 2007, the community-minded brand (aptly named for the lifestyle mantra "You Only Live Once") has been committed to manufacturing a variety of quality boards suited to fit any paddler, from the recreational novice to the elite pro racer. In 2014, the company expanded its growing YOLO-inspired lifestyle product line with the debut of YOLO Paddles and YOLO Bike Co. Board and bike rentals, lessons, corporate and team building packages and seasonal community race events are available through YOLO Board Adventures Sandestin and YOLO Board + Beach - the company's flagship store in Miramar Beach featuring the unique 'try before you buy' lake experience. Additional retail and rental locations include YOLO Board + Bike at Gulf Place Town Center on Scenic Highway 30A, YOLO Board West Coast in San Diego, California, and a growing number of distributors nationwide.

ABOUT 30A

Founded in 2007, "30A" is a brand inspired by the happy beach life celebrated along Florida's Scenic Highway 30-A. But "30A is more than just a road in Florida," said ABC-TV. "A website that started to promote a small stretch of coastline is fast becoming an international brand." In fact, with over 360,000 Facebook fans around the world, "30A.com has exploded" (Southern Living). "30A means good times on the Gulf Coast," wrote U.S. AirwaysMagazine, and we think that sums it up pretty nicely. 30A is Mayberry at the beach. It's a sunset stroll on sugar white sand. It's an outdoor concert under a star-filled sky. It's a leisurely bike ride along a silent wooded path or a slow sunrise paddle across a calm coastal dune lake. 30A is a return to simpler times where friends, family and the outdoors are valued over celebrity gossip and political scandal. Over 940,000 of our world-famous 30A Stickers in are now in circulation, and we've raised over $280,000 for charities through our 30A sticker donation boxes, our annual 30A Charity Golf Classic and many other 30A events.