The Costco Connection

66 ;e Costco Connection APRIL 2014 GET UP, STAND UP

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 65

of that effort. In 2014 the brand will offer six boards, all bundled with adjustable-length paddles, padded board bags and leashes (used for safety). Features include retractable handles and a reliance on U.S.-made materials. New additions this year include a board designed for kids and a 12-foot-6- inch touring board for distance paddles, plus new colors and graphics.

Shipping and stocking 10- to 12-foot- long paddle boards is not easy, and in fact is one of the hurdles the company had to clear on its path to success. Matzorkis has started 17 different businesses as an entrepreneur, including several online database search firms. His Internet commerce expertise, combined with partnering with Costco.com, made the logistics of moving big goods less painful for both the manufacturer and retailers. Offering a lower-priced product with easy delivery options gave SUP ATX a leg up over other stand-up paddleboard companies that came out of the surfing culture and were selling lower volume (at a higher price) in small retail surf shops.

“Initially we were almost a laughingstock,”
Matzorkis remembers. “Surf shops thought no
one would buy these things on the Internet.”
The exclusive Costco bundles are
designed to get both new and experienced
paddlers out on the water, with a minimum of
fuss. “We do not want to burden the [Costco]
members with accessories that they do not
need,” says Mike Bill, company president.

“Costco is a destination for families, and we see SUP as a family sport. It is a way for everybody to be outside and spend time together,” adds Frank Finn Jr., national sales manager for SUP ATX. “Costco has been collaborative with us in reaching out to its active and health-conscious member base.” C

Margaret Littman ( www.littmanwrites.com) is a writer and avid stand-up paddler who is working on paddling in all 50 states.

ONE OF THE great things about being a parent is watching your child’s imagination in action. Personally, I feel that a play center, such as the one shown here, is one of the best investments in fostering fun, creative and adventurous play. We bought a similar cedar play set about 10 years ago. Our kids and their friends love it. So many kids can play on it at the same time: swinging, playing in the fort and climbing the wall. It is also great for imaginary battles as a fort and hiding spot!

Even the older kids love playing on it.

I’m very happy to announce that this year Costco is offering the Cedar Summit Mount Forest Lodge by Solowave Design to our members in the warehouses and on Costco.com, with a variety of enhancements and improvements geared to make playtime more fun for kids, and assembly easier for parents.

Solowave Design is an innovative leader in the design and manufacture of ready-to-assemble outdoor-living products. These products are sold at Costco warehouses worldwide under the Cedar Summit and Yardistry brands.

Craftsmanship and devotion to detail are the hallmarks of the company.

Solowave Design’s outdoor play systems are designed, engineered and manufactured to the highest standards for quality, safety, value and fun.

This year’s play center at Costco has

14 exciting play features, including an upper clubhouse with two crow’s nests, a telescope and steering wheel, a lower pavilion with play clock, spinning chalkboard sign, three-in-one activity table– picnic bench, two belt swings, an acrobatic swing and a double-wall wave slide.

The new three-in-one activity table
features a sand and water table, a write-
on/wipe-off chalk surface and a picnic
bench. The clubhouse has more square
footage than before, and quality features
such as premium windows and shutters
have been added.

Manufactured from premium cedar, the Mount Forest Lodge features a wider timber swing beam than the industry standard—which provides increased spacing between swings—plus heavy cast-iron swing hangers and adjustable A-frame construction that provides additional swing stability in uneven yards.

The double-wall wave slide utilizes two layers of plastic, compared with one layer on conventional slides.

One of the best enhancements for parents has been the introduction of pre-assembled panels. Cedar Summit swing sets sold at Costco are constructed with fully assembled wall and roof panels to make the assembly experience the easiest it can be. This use of fully assembled panels has been enthusiastically received by Costco members: You can read the positive reviews on Costco.com.

Another aspect for parents to enjoy: the value! At our price point, we show a great savings to comparable play centers in the market.

Outdoor play is a fun, healthy activ-
ity, and the adventure of the Cedar
Summit Mount Forest Lodge creates a
backyard haven where your children can
enjoy endless play. Item 798076. C
Mark Fenick