PROVO — Brent Davidson prays for snow.
This San Francisco boy, whose admitted passion is basking in the sun while biking along Provo Canyon trails, these days thinks about little more than the next snowboarding season.
Those crazy California transplants.
Davidson, a Brigham Young University economics student, wouldn't disagree. Even in Utah's dry heat, the economics student is flush with snowboarding fever, banking his future on a new company that makes snowboard accessories.
His first brainchild for the start-up firm — which they dubbed Demon Sports — was designed after hearing his friend gripe about rampant snowboard thefts at ski resorts.
Called the "Stomplock," the accessory is a variation of the stomp pad, which is a spiked attachment that gives boarders traction needed to clean icy boots and maintain footing when they hop off a lift.
Made of polycarbonate, the bow tie-shaped Stomplock has a raised center that forms a small space through which a snowboarder can run the cable of a lock before placing the board on a rack outside and walking into a warm ski lodge.
"We wanted to make sure we designed something that worked well and looked good," said Davidson, whose first prototypes were sculpted with Play-Doh.
It took five tries before the company found the right design, which was then molded and made in time for a Las Vegas trade show in March.
From a small 10-foot by 10-foot booth, cheek by jowl with snowboard and ski industry giants, the Stomplock caught some interested eyes.
"This is a product that sells itself," Davidson said of his invention, which, at $13.95 is $1 more than a pad without the locking device. "You have to get a stomp pad. There's no reason for a dollar more not to get a Stomplock."
Since the show, the Orem-based company, which was formed by Davidson with the help of his business-minded brother, Keith, and a childhood friend with marketing talents, Matt Stapley, has logged more than 5,000 orders.
Dave Wilderotter, owner of Dave's Snowboards in North Lake Tahoe, Calif., is one of the 45 retailers who plan to sell Stomplocks next season.
"Snowboard theft is huge," says Wilderotter. "There was a company that used to sell a locking device for snowboards, but it was too big and bulky. This is a great idea. You're going to need a stomp pad anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone?"
And as word spreads, demand is rising. The small company is scrambling to fill orders for fall and winter.
Some 2,500 of the firm's first order was sent to Japan, where the Stomplock is attracting a lot of attention. Demon Sports on Tuesday also signed a deal with a London-based company for European distribution.
Davidson said the firm is now in negotiations with a Taiwan company that wants to manufacture and distribute one of Demon Sports' new products.
The new accessory is a 4-inch-deep pouch attached to the board's binding. Wallets, keys, lip balm and other small items can be placed in the zippered pocket.
"Snowboarding is going crazy," Davidson said. "People are getting good, and they are getting good air. But it's not fun to come down hard and have your keys jab you in the stomach."
Motivated by his first taste of success, Davidson plans to run his company full time after a December graduation.
"We hope to be a big player in this industry," he said.
"To see the final product packaged is a dream come true," says Davidson. "I'm excited that instead of vacationing this summer, I'll be spending my days on the computer and fax machine promoting my invention."
E-MAIL: jeffh@desnews.com