Local Top Resources

“WOW!” is an expression that’s exclaimed daily just inside the front doors of Outdoor Action Company in Sylvan Lake.

Outdoor Action Company, or OAC for short, is 12,000 square feet of nirvana for people who enjoy the outdoors year-round.

In the summer, OAC supplies cyclists nationwide with some of the finest bicycles in the world. Every bicycle sold at OAC is fit to the new owner in its state-of-the-art fitting lab. Chad Johnston, general manager and head fitter, sometimes fits up to five athletes a day on their dream bikes, chosen from “best-in-class” builders like Cervelo, Guru, Seven Cycles, Pinarello, Waterford, and Scott USA. Five bikes a day may not sound like much, but at two to two-and-a-half hours of positioning and fitting an athlete to the bike, that’s more than 10 hours of one- on-one professional service a day. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Johnston says. “There is no better way to get the right bike and enjoy it. I guarantee every fit that I perform.”

A bike fitting performed at OAC is far different from the typical bike shop’s “fitting.” An OAC professional fitting starts with a detailed interview, followed by a flexibility and strength evaluation. All prior injuries that may affect a rider on the bike are explored and noted. Once Johnston and his team have a “body map” of the athlete off the bike, then and only then does the athlete get on the incredible GURU Dynamic Fit Unit (one of less than 20 in the world) and start to pedal toward his or her perfect position. The motorized GURU Dynamic Fit Unit moves under the athlete, and the individual’s position is perfected to the millimeter. After the fitting, a stock bike on the floor is selected based on the rider’s best position, or a custom bike is designed and put into production. Triathletes and road riders from around the country can be found in the fitting lab at OAC getting their position dialed in.

In addition to fitting for new bikes, Johnston also retrofits bikes to their riders. “I see athletes on a weekly basis who have bought a new bike and are uncomfortable after the new bike smell wears off. It’s a bummer, because if they would have been fit first and then chosen their new bike based off the fitting information, they would be much happier and more comfortable from the start.

“Casual riders will benefit from an Outdoor Action Company fitting almost more than a high- level athlete,” Johnston continues. “I can help a new rider enjoy longer rides with comfort and injury avoidance.”

This same attention to detail is evident in every other area at OAC. The shop where new dream rides are assembled and tuned is neat and organized, using only the best tools — and the best technicians.

Although the approach to cycling at OAC is amazing, bicycles aren’t all that is offered. A dizzying array of more than 50 brightly-colored stand-up paddle boards, constructed by the best builders, surround the store. Boards from Surftech, C4 Waterman, and Tahoe are available for demos, and the OAC staff will even meet you at your favorite beach with their demo fleet to help you learn this fun sport. You’ve probably seen pictures of professional athletes and celebrities having a fun workout on their stand-ups — maybe you’ll run into one of them at OAC.

Another treasure found at OAC is the selection of lifestyle clothing and footwear. In the spring of 2010, OAC hired Deb Sigmann, an industry veteran who buys the coolest clothing for outdoor athletes from the coolest brands — including Patagonia, The North Face, Ibex, Prana, Volcom, Billabong, and Quicksilver, to name a few. Sigmann has been a buyer, manufacturer’s representative, merchandiser, and manager in the outdoor industry for many years, and is among the best in the country at what she does. “Customers who find out that Deb is here at OAC are coming from all over,” Johnston says. “Deb was responsible for the selection at a famous ski store, sold in the early 2000s, that led the industry in sales and tasteful selection. She is a great component of our success.”

In the winter, Outdoor Action Company is one of the Midwest’s top suppliers of racing skis, recreational performance skis, and snowboarding equipment. OAC’s backroom ski-tuning area is among the best in the nation; its techs have more than 30 years of experience. When racers around the Midwest need the perfect tune-up for their big race, Outdoor Action Company is their choice.

Outdoor Action Company offers a great selection for “the lifestyle of sport.” Its tasteful presentation of the best brands, combined with all the services the store offers, adds up to a great experience for each and every patron.