Media ContactTessa DuBoisVerde Brand Communications970.259.3555tdubois@verdepr.com

SEATTLE, Wash. (July 1, 2015) — K2 Skate, a global leader in inline skate product innovation, announces the launch of its newly expanded global Ambassador program by welcoming a diverse group of new athletes to its roster. Launched in 2014, the K2 Skate Ambassador program focuses on aligning the brand with key influencers within skate, outdoor and action sport communities. Ambassadors will share their appreciation for health, outdoors, and of course skating, while embodying all that is K2.

“We launched the Ambassador program with three goals in mind: spreading our brand message, enrolling a larger audience to engage with K2, and ultimately, inspiring a growing community to get out on skates," stated Chris McCullough, Global Brand Director, K2 Outdoor Group. "We believe we have the most dedicated consumers and athletes in the industry, and the new Ambassador program further exemplifies our greatest asset.”

Outfitted with the latest K2 products, K2 Skate Ambassadors will contribute to the brand’s efforts of expanding the global skate community through digital content generation, event support, and community outreach programming, while driving awareness for inline skating and the K2 brand. In addition, K2 Ambassador’s will provide the brand an added resource for product testing and feedback.

From over 300 applicants, the selected team members for 2015 reflect the breadth of the K2 product line, with influence from Recreational, Fitness, Cross-Training, Marathon/Race, Urban, and Aggressive segments respectively. Ambassador Gaby Velasquez, an aggressive skater from Ft. Lauderdale, FL was first introduced to the sport as a speed skater on the Venezuelan national team before making the transition to aggressive. Gaby has competed in aggressive comps all over the world, balancing her time between skating and her day job as a graphic designer. Rich Parker, out of the UK, has been a professional vert skater for over 18 years. His accomplishments range from multiple years as the Triple European Vert champ to a silver medal at the Asia X-Games. His role will be vital in helping K2 continue to build on its well-known history of aggressive skate product development. Nationally recognized professional fitness instructor and ACSM certified trainer, Amber Shadwick is a “do-it-all” go-getter, as proven by the broad range of classes and programs she teaches, ranging from TRX to paddleboard fitness classes and everything in between. Amber turns to inline skating as part of her own cross-training and because she’s all about inspiring her local fitness community to get outside and have fun. For the full list of K2’s Skate Ambassador team, visit k2skates.com/ambassadors.

For updates on the latest K2 Skate news, check out the K2 Skate Blog and follow them on Facebook, and Instagram. 

About K2 Skate

K2 revolutionized the inline skate industry in 1994 with the introduction of the first SoftBoot® inline skates. Developed in partnership with U.S. National Cross Country team member John Svensson and U.S. Olympic speed skater Tony Meibock, the K2 SoftBoot® moved beyond the uncomfortable, plastic-style designs that dominated the market. K2’s patented design provided skaters with the precision and accuracy of a hardshell boot, but in a comfortable, lightweight SoftBoot® design. Over 20 years later and expanded to a full model line of men’s, women’s, and children’s inline skates for everything from family recreation and everyday fitness to training and professional competition, the SoftBoot® design is still the foundation of the K2 Skate line. Often imitated, but never duplicated, K2 is the Original SoftBoot® that continues to push the envelope of inline skate innovation. K2 Skate is a member of the K2 Sports family of world leading outdoor recreation brands.

 For more information on K2 Skate’s latest products and technology, please visit www.k2skates.com.