EUGENE, Ore.–A University of Oregon student who designs and markets a brand of landsailors, a skateboard that uses a windsurfing sail for power, took first-place honors in the inaugural Oregon Collegiate Entrepreneur Awards competition hosted by the school’s Lundquist Entrepreneur Center.

Robert Maris, a junior from Eugene, Ore., and president of Orca Designs, received the $500 first-place award. Orca Designs produces and markets three different models of landsailing boards and five models of long-board skate board decks. Maris, a student at the UO’s Lundquist College of Business, advances to the North American Collegiate Entrepreneur Awards competition slated for later this summer.

Maris’ adviser, Randy Nelson, also received $500 for his work with Orca Designs. Nelson advises entrepreneurial students at the Lundquist College of Business.

Another UO student, Max LeeKwai, a junior from Portland, Ore., placed second in the competition. His company, Maxxx Co., produces and markets accessories to the surfing industry, including FIN-BLOCKZ, a protective cover for surf board fins. LeeKwai is majoring in Japanese and minoring in business.

Business professionals judging the competition included John Grund, senior editor of Oregon Business magazine, Kathy Long Holland of Long Sherpa Design and Oregon Marketing Initiative, and Kim Frazier of Frazier & Co.

The Oregon Collegiate Entrepreneur Awards competition attracted entries from students at colleges and universities throughout Oregon. The Oregon event is part of the North American Collegiate Entrepreneur Awards competition which includes participating state and province winners from the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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