For the team at Huk Lab, what started as a small idea has grown into one of the most noticeable brands in disc golf. From a full line of apparel, the iconic TriFly, educational Flight School, and more, Huk Lab is showing no signs of slowing down.

It’s easy to find one of the top professionals carrying a TriFly dyed disc in their bag or even someone on your local course with a Huk Lab shirt on as they head to the first tee. The brand certainly got some added exposure when the 2014 PDGA World Championships were held in Huk Lab’s backyard in Portland.

This weekend marks the one year anniversary of when Huk Lab moved into their brand new pro shop. We haven’t had a chance to visit in person, but we have a feeling the beautiful pictures don’t do it justice.

To learn more about Huk Lab and what the last year has been like in their new location, we talked with Huk Lab’s co-owner, Ed Hepp to get the full story.

Huk Lab has certainly become one of the most recognizable brands in the sport. We’ll talk about the TriFly in a moment, but I want to first start with the name. On your website you call Huk Lab “an action laboratory,” which is such a great phrase. When Huk Lab was first getting started, how did you settle on the name Huk Lab? Where there any other names in the running?

“Not really! We wanted to tap into the stoke and vibe that the ubiquitous action word ‘huck’ elicits in the mind of anyone who interacts physically with the world around them. Whether on land, in the air, flowing through or across water—whatever its state—it’s all one big laboratory of huck; a place to test the mind’s and spirit’s theories of flight and flow through the body’s physical actions; an expression of balance and symmetry through that holy trinity. Eventually, from a practical standpoint, ‘huck’ was shortened to ‘huk’ in order to better balance with ‘lab,’ and to fit within the bounds of the trinity theme.”

The TriFly symbol is quite unique, but really sends a statement. Again, your website tells some of the story about how the TriFly came to life and the sketches are really fun to see. When the final version of the TriFly came together, what were your thoughts when it all “clicked” for you?

“Well, as you’ve alluded to, the TrFfly is the product of a highly considered design process, from conception through the building of the graphic image itself. Jay Harbour and Ed Hepp partnered to collaborate conceptually on a mark that would be recognizable and memorable at both large and small sizes, be compelling while in motion, and also be suggestive of motion even while standing still. With a disc as the pre-eminent canvas within the sport, it was natural to work within the bounds of a circle. During the process, Ed’s sketches independently arrived at a point that closely resembled a Japanese motif, known as the Three Commas, which Jay had also found in his research of symbols. Further refinement of that sketch eventually lead to the TriFly.”

“The three arms of the TriFly align with the trilogy theme. Importantly, there are no dead ends; every internal curve can be extended to eventually meet up with and flow into another curve within the mark. In this way the eye is encour- aged to stay active and the viewer is inclined to engage with the image. Naturally once the mind gets involved, a lot can happen and we’re aware that imaginations have congered an unlimited number of alternative images from the TriFly; we love them all!”

“As for the moment it “clicked,” it’s hard to say. It really came down to working it until it felt like there was no more work to be done.”

Have you ever thought of tweaking the TriFly? Is it almost too good to change at this point?

“It’s always been in the back of our minds that perhaps time’s passage and the evolution of the brand might compell us to see something in the mark that needed updating or further refinement, but so far this hasn’t been the case. We worked hard on getting it right from the get-go, and that work has paid off with a mark we are still proud of, even 11+ years after its creation.”

You sell many discs with the TriFly stamp and also with the much larger dye job. Who does all the dye work in the shop and how long does a dye take them?

“At this time all domestic TriFly Dyes are done in-house by our staff. We run custom dye lots weekly and put a lot of care and attention into getting it right. Depending on the number of discs, weekly dye lots take 3-6 hours.”

What many don’t know is that they can send you discs to get dyed. What is the process if someone is interested and what does it cost? Is the turnaround pretty quick?

“To get your discs custom TriFly dyed you can call us at the Pro Shop (503-954-2966) or email orders@huklab.com.”

“Cost and turn times on custom TriFly Dye orders will vary, based largely on the peculiarities of each order. We know it can be hard to be without that disc in your bag so we try to get them in and out as soon as possible. Discs are sched- uled for the next dye lot when we receive them. The maximum turnaround time is two weeks during the peak of the season, while off-season orders will usually turn within about a week. We also carry an extensive inventory of TriFly Dyed and stamped discs at the Pro Shop and on our website.”

In November 2013 you opened up a beautiful proshop in Portland. From the photos we’ve seen, you have just about any disc golf item one could desire. What has this past year been like in the new shop?

“It’s been great! Not only from a retail standpoint, but also for the programs we’ve offered to the Portland Disc Golf Community. Our Flight School Instructional Classes, the Chain Rain Putting League, our Disc Replay Program; all these things have been well received and participation has been fantastic.”

What about the support from the Portland disc golf community?

“The Portland Disc Golf community has been incredibly supportive in so many ways. The Pro Shop environment could not have been the same without them. The generosity of countless hands helping us apply our design ideas to an old bike shop transformed it into a disc golf daydream. Most especially, contributions from the local Disc Golf Or Die crew, as well as our own Huk Lab Flight Team, can not go unmentioned. The Pro Shop is a place where everyone is welcome and encouraged to come in, hang out, watch some disc golf videos, practice putting, sign up for a class, and peruse our huge wall of discs, racks of apparel, and extensive selection of gear and accessories, all while enjoying the service of employees with a deep understanding of the products and the sport.”

This year’s PDGA World Championships were in Portland. While the PDGA tour is no stranger to the Portland area, what was it like having the sport’s spotlight in Portland for a week? Was that the busiest week for Huk Lab?

“Of course having the 2014 Worlds in Portland was terrific for Huk Lab. It certainly was a busy time for us, not only at the Pro Shop, but also at Blue Lake’s Tournament Central, where we set up the Huk Booth as part of the week’s festivities. To have all of the best players in the world essentially at our doorstep, all week long, and to never know who would show up at the shop next was pretty exciting for everyone, including our customers.”

“We also wanted to help make the event as great an experience as it could be for everyone, and to promote Portland as a world class disc golf destination. To that end we created a line of Portland themed Worlds Fundraiser Merchandise: a limited edition poster and disc, as well as a tee shirt. These were very popular and easily met our tournament fundraising goals. Additionally we’re stoked that poster number 1/100 now hangs in the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, GA.”

What’s next for Huk Lab? Any big plans for 2015?

“We’re always dreaming, both big and small… stay tuned!”

For those who aren’t in the Portland area, is your website the best way to go about checking your inventory for apparel, discs, and other items from the store?

“The website is the best place to start (huklab.com). But especially when it comes to checking on particular discs in stock, a call to the shop (503-954-2966) will provide for the most accurate, up to date information. ”

Is there anything else you want to cover?

“Our biggest sale of the year runs this Saturday, November 22nd through Tuesday, December 2nd. During this annual ‘Thankshucking Sale’ we say thanks to the disc golf community by offering 22.2% off all gear and discs storewide. To participate, just enter the code THXHUK14 when checking out. As always, we enjoy taking this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to our customers for their support.”

“And of course, Keep on Huckin’!”

Big thanks to Hepp and everyone at Huk Lab. They’ve been a treat to work with over the last few weeks! We wish them the best of luck as they head into year two at the pro shop!

Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter along with checking out huklab.com.