Boa Technology, creators of the Boa System, announced a new ambassador program that showcases the diversity of Boa through dedicated athletes that have overcome medical barriers to pursue their life-long passions. Boa recently signed triathlete and Paralympic gold medalist Allysa Seely and avid climber and veteran Chad Jukes, both users of Boa-powered RevoFit sockets and Boa-powered athletic gear.
The Boa System is integrated into products across the outdoor, cycling, snow sports, golf, athletic, utility and medical categories, making the ambassador partnerships with Seely and Jukes a natural fit for the brand. “We are honored to partner with two elite level athletes that use our products in both daily life and sport,” says Bret Bostock, global medical category manager for Boa Technology. “Boa solutions are as adaptable as the people who use them, and Allysa and Chad fully embody our mission to push performance further.”
Allysa Seely is a driven triathlete with 17 World Cup Medals to her name, two World Championships, and the first Paralympic Gold Medal in Triathlon in 2016. In 2010, Seely was diagnosed with Chiari 2 Malformation, Basilar Invagination and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which affects her brain, spine, and connective tissues, with the lasting effects of a neurological injury leading to the loss of her left leg below the knee in 2013. Seven weeks after the surgery she swam 1.2 miles as a part of a relay team for a local half Ironman event, soon followed by running a 5K, and just a few months later, she crossed the finish line of her first triathlon as an amputee.
Seely was introduced to Boa five years ago by her orthotist for training and races, began using the system on her Liv cycling shoes, and today also uses Boa on her RevoFit prosthetic socket. “As an athlete, our bodies change throughout the season, be it muscles or water weight, so having the adjustability of Boa after a run or training session adds convenience and significantly improves fit,” says Seely. “My Boa-powered RevoFit Socket is comfortable enough to wear throughout the day and during strength training and conditioning, without having to remove and add layers as my needs change.”
Chad Jukes is an avid outdoorsman and mountaineer, and it was his adventurous spirit that led him to join the US Army Reserves at 17, where he served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. While in Iraq in 2006, Jukes and his soldiers ran over an anti-tank mine during combat that left him severely injured in his right foot and leg. Less than three months after the explosion, Jukes chose to have his right leg amputated so he could continue to live an active lifestyle in the outdoors. Since the amputation Jukes has embarked on numerous extraordinary expeditions, including his greatest accomplishment yet, reaching the summit of Everest in 2016.
Jukes began using Boa four years ago and was an early-adopter of the Boa-powered RevoFit prosthetic socket system. “I fell in love with the Boa-powered socket immediately. It increased my ability to be on my feet and eliminated down days because of improved fit and function,” says Jukes. “Being able to easily adjust the socket on-the-fly without having to find a place to remove my pants and prosthetic is a game-changer. The improved functionality that The Boa System brings to my prosthetic helped me successfully reach the summits of El Capitan and Everest and adds ease and more comfort in my daily life.”
Look for Seely and Jukes at a handful of Boa events throughout the coming year, and in the latest Boa-powered products. Follow Seely as she continues to dominate the race circuit and builds upon her perfect record that she has held since August 2015. Follow Jukes as he prepares for a climbing expedition film in Ecuador with the ROMP organization that provides prosthetics to those without access.
The Boa System can be found on medical products such as prosthetic devices, knee and wrist braces, casts, personal mobility devices, and more. Whether keeping knees and wrists safe during sports, protecting your back on the job, or supporting the body through injury recovery, Boa is there to aid in the process.
Photo courtesy Boa
