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Taken from the Muskegon Chronicle January 19th, 2005 Edition

Athlete Changes Course To Run ‘Extreme’ Store

By Dave Alexander
Chronicle Business Editor

 
            About a year ago, Matt Vander Sys came to the realization that life would be a whole lot better if his work world could blend with his play world.

            The result is Endurance Sports Outdoor Athletic Gear, an extreme sports gear and clothing retail store at 1888 Holton in the Ray & Sharon Plaza in Muskegon Township.

            Vander Sys and his wife, Roxanne, opened the store to provide top-notch products and expert knowledge for the novice and serious outdoor athlete, they said.  An electrician, Matt left a career as a supervisor for Phase II Electric in Muskegon, while Roxanne continues as a lending assistant for Comerica Bank in Muskegon.

            Endurance Sports caters to runners, hikers, mountain bikers, snowshoers, and "orienteers" - virtually anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors with anything from a light hike to an extreme 10-day adventure race.

            "This is my passion...I am trying to turn what I love into a career," said Vander Sys, 40.

            The Grand Haven High School graduate who was on the cross-country and track team continued his interest in running while becoming an electrician.  He graduated from 5K and 10K races to marathons.  He then pushed beyond the marathon to ultra-marathons - recently completing a 100-mile race.

            "It’s all about finding a way to challenge yourself," Vander Sys said.  "This is what pushes the extreme endurance athlete."

            Marrying Vander Sys nearly two years ago, Roxanne has begun biking and running and acting as logistics crew for her husband and his adventure race teams.  The couple has four daughters with three still living in their northside Muskegon Township home.

            Discussions with extreme-sports friends in West Michigan led to the development of a retail business plan about a year ago.  The couple began by attending retail shows to make contact with sporting goods vendors.  After Vander Sys took a small-business class at Muskegon Community College, worked with a business plan software package, and hired an attorney and an accountant, Endurance Sports was born with a business loan through National City Bank, he said.

            The location was chosen because of its distance from The Lakes Mall, but proximity to a high-traffic route, he said.  There already are similar-type outlets in the Norton Sores and Grand Haven areas.  The new Dick’s Sporting Goods in the mall also provides big retailer competition.

            Endurance Sports has opened in a 1,400-square-foot retail space featuring several categories of products.  Running shoes for anything from walking to adventure racing is the store’s specialty, offering Mizuno, New Balance, Saucony, Montrail, and lifestyle footwear from Teva and, in the near future, Keen.

            Clothing comes in two main categories:  Activity and lifestyle.  Active wear from Mizuno and Sporthill is designed to keep participants dry and warm.  Lifestyle clothing is for those who want the "active look" from AlfWear to Railriders.

            Endurance Sports has begun its equipment offerings with snowshoes from Yukon Charlies.  There are bags and packs from Deuter and Jansport and toedsocks from Injinji.  The store also offers equipment such as reflective vest, head lamps, compasses and watches.

            "We wanted to open up a store to help the novice to the expert in apparel, equipment and knowledge," Vander Sys said.  "Our niche is that we do all of these activities and use these products."

            "We need to get more fit, especially in this community," he said.  "We have to do what we did as kids.  Go outside and play."

            To help customers along, Endurance Sports has begun a running club.  Meeting every Saturday morning at Snug Harbor of the Muskegon State Park, the club has a goal of getting its members ready for the Fifth Third River Bank Run May 14.  The store also will sponsor the Endurance Sports Adventure Race June 11 in Muskegon County and a series of orienteering seminars at the Owassippe Scout Reservation.

            Endurance Sports has an active Web site with information about the running club or special activities.  Vander Sys said he hopes to have on-line sales in the future.