Women Catch a Wave with Maui Jim's New Women's Adventure Series

PEORIA, Ill., Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Maui Jim, the company that was created on the beaches of Maui, will turn to some of the most beautiful shorelines in the world to create a unique series of surfing and yoga experiences for women. The company has designed a new Women's Adventure Series that will debut at five luxury resorts in 2012. Hosted by famed longboard surfer, Mary Osborne of Ventura, CA, these retreats combine relaxing yoga sessions with the thrill of surfing to create a fun-filled mini-retreat. Osborne will appear at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market on Friday, January 20th at 3:00 pm to announce the program in Maui Jim's booth.

"The aloha spirit quickly spreads among groups of women as they discover the thrill of standing on a surfboard, either for the first time or as experts," said Linda Glassel, vice president of marketing at Maui Jim. "We thought the women in Maui Jim's community would enjoy a relaxing retreat and the camaraderie of learning a new sport from one of the best in surfing."

The Women's Adventure Series will be hosted at some of the loveliest surfing resorts, including Crowne Place Melbourne Oceanfront Resort and Spa in Melbourne Beach, FL, from April 20-22; Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Hawaii from May 17-21; La Jolla Shores Hotel in San Diego from June 22-24; Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, CA, from July 20-22; and the Crowne Plaza in Ventura, CA, from August 24-26.

The series is designed for women of all ages and surfing abilities. Each retreat begins with a breakfast and yoga session with Osborne, followed by an afternoon of surf instruction. Evenings will feature gourmet dinners and presentations by noted guest speakers announced shortly before each event. The program schedule includes ample time for reflection, sessions at the spa, a swim in the pool, shopping and great conversation with friends.

Osborne's name, along with her activism and outreach efforts, has been synonymous with the burgeoning movement of women's surfing during the past decade. In 2003, Osborne won the long boarding division in the MTV reality series, Surf Girls. She also won the "2003 Action Girl of the Year" award and was nominated for the 2003 Teen Choice Award, "Best Female Athlete." The 2009 and 2010 winner of the MSA Classic, Osborne became the first woman to appear on the cover of Surfer's Path, a renowned European surf magazine. The momentum would eventually land her on the cover of four surfing magazines, along with feature stories in over 14 publications including Surfer, Spin magazine and Entertainment Weekly.  Osborn is the first woman to surf the tidal bores of the Qiantang River and the "Silver Dragon" in China – considered the world's largest and fastest river-waves with recorded heights nearing 30-feet.

She has a burgeoning media career with appearances on Entertainment Weekly, The Tom Green Show, BBQ with Bobby Flay, Shred Cafe, and The Daily Habit, and worked as a host for FOX Sports Net, HDTV, Go211.com, and various travel adventure shows. Osborne co-authored Sister Surfer: A Woman's Guide to Surfing with Bliss and Courage. The book is a source of inspiration for women to catch their first wave.

A crusader for ocean preservation, she has traveled the world studying the effects of plastic. As a result, Osborne was selected to be an Ambassador for the United Nations Environmental Safe Planet Campaign and the 5 Gyres Institute. Mary is a spokesperson for the Women's Sports Foundation, which focuses on females in sport.  She also hosts annual surf camps for children; as well as surf and yoga retreats for adults.

Osborne can frequently be seen sporting multiple pairs of Maui Jim glasses that are renowned for their PolarizedPlus®2 technology that reduces 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays and cuts glare from above, below and behind each lens by 99.9 percent. Maui Jim builds up to 9 layers of protection built into each lens that produces true, vivid colors. Osborne's collection of sunglasses includes the Guy Harvey Grander, Maui Cat III and the company's newest style, Mala, with the new MauiPure™ lens that is designed for active lifestyles.

Brochures and information on the series are available by visiting the Women's Adventure Series portal through MauiJim.com starting the February 1st.

About Maui Jim, Inc.
Maui Jim, Inc® is the fastest growing premium polarized sunglass maker in the world. The company's reputation is based on the development of advanced technologies for double and single gradient lenses that reduce 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays and cut glare from above, below and behind each lens by 99.9 percent. Maui Jim uses up to 9 layers of protection built into each lens, including the company's proprietary polarized film, PolarizedPlus®2, that produces true, vivid colors. Visit MauiJim.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @OfficialMauiJim.

SOURCE Maui Jim, Inc.