Pushing the limits

A man who went skydiving for his senior project at Washougal High School has opened a shop that appeals to fellow adventurers in his hometown.

Eric Hargrave, a 2003 WHS graduate, wrote his senior paper about the psychology of doing extreme sports. In addition to skydiving, he went kite boarding and snowboarding. The project included videotaped evidence of Hargrave’s accomplishments.

Hargrave owns Limitless Snow-Wake-Surf — a two-year-old former home-based business — that sells a variety of Ronix wake boards, Radar waterskis and apparel. A shipment of snow boards, bindings, boots and helmets, along with gloves, hats, socks, hoodies and T-shirts, is expected to arrive this week.

Products are available for beginner and advanced level athletes, ages 5 and older.

Hargrave has been involved in water sports, waterskiing and wake boarding for more than 17 years. When he sold water sports and snow sports products from his home, Hargrave relied on word of mouth and the internet, as well as a reputation for providing great service.

He was a teller at Riverview Community Bank for about a year, before he opened his retail shop.

“I have always been an entrepreneur at heart, so when I had an opportunity I jumped on it,” Hargrave said.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in business at Pacific Lutheran University, in Tacoma, in 2007, with a concentration in finance and marketing and a minor in religious studies.

In addition to playing football at PLU, Hargrave interned with the promotions and marketing team for the Seattle Supersonics at Key Arena during his senior year. While in college, he also worked as a lumberjack in Lacey, Wash., and as a heavy machinery operator at George Schmid & Sons, in Washougal.

Hargrave and his wife Tina were married in July. He opened Limitless this summer, to appeal to individuals interested in the action sports industry in Southwest Washington.

Hargrave said he enjoys owning his own business, because he has the ability to adapt and change to help his company survive — no matter what the economy does.

“Being my own boss is also a plus, yet when you take all of the risk there is no such thing as an eight-hour day,” he said. “Twelve to 14 hours is more like it.”

The grand opening Friday, Oct. 21, will include a product and gear showcase. Food and beverages will be available Saturday, Oct. 22.

Limitless Snow-Wake-Surf, 501 26th St., is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 553-2377, email limitlesswake@gmail.com or visit www.limitlesswake.com.