The World Skateboarding Grand Prixannounced today (February 26, 2015) that they will be hosting another world championship of skateboarding in the center of the skateboarding universe. . . Kimberley, South Africa October 7 – 10, 2015.
This years Skateboarding World Championships are expected to draw the largest international field of any skate contest in history, with skaters from at least 50 countries expected to compete in five world championship events, including the Womens Street Championships, Vert Championships, Big Air Championships, Rider Cup Team Championships and Mens Street Championships. . . This year for the first time, the Skateboarding World Championships will extend invitations to the top finishers of notable international contests like the Mystic Cup, Copenhagen Pro, the Turkish Skateboarding Championships, Bryggeriet Malmo and others around the world. Top finishers from U.S. contests, including X Games, Dew Tour, U.S. Skateboarding Championships and Street League, will also earn spots in the Skateboarding World Championships.
The nice thing about having a contest in Kimberley South Africa is that getting there is a pain in the ass for absolutely everyone in equal measure. For the official word from the WSGP, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
When the World Surf League wants to project success they’ll invite potential sponsors to their newly renovated Santa Monica, California offices where Malibu design build firm Classical Progression, Inc. just gave the place a complete “surfer” make over, according to a story in Malibu Business.
Just steps from the surf in Santa Monica, the newly renovated, vintage bow-truss warehouse boasts business and creative office space for 50, a fully-equipped professional sound stage for its on-site broadcasting of worldwide competitions, a café with beer on tap, a game room with 24-hour live, surf video footage, and an on-site gym, complete with his and her locker rooms, all designed in a sophisticated surfer vibe. Professional surfers are welcome.
Those who have followed WSL CEO Paul Speaker’s career will not be surprised. It seems a newly renovated office is where he does his best work.
Matix Clothing says they are proud to welcome surfer Matt Pagan to their team.
A Los Angeles native with a thirst for chasing waves, charging in any type of surf, and a positive attitude that is infectious. We are certain that this will not be the last time you see Matts powerful surfing style come across the pages of your favorite surf publication or surf website, take note!
Sometimes slipping your feet into a wet, cold wetsuit can be more difficult than paddling out into overhead surf. Yeah, we know how that sounds, but if you know, then you know. That’s why this new Kickstarter project caught our attention.
Wetsox is the only thin, four-way stretch sock built just for slipping in and out of your surf gear in seconds. . . Wetsox are made from a premium nylon, Lycra, Spandex blend, so they’re quick-dry and smooth on your skin. Wearing WETSOX will also lengthen the life of your surf gear because it eliminates the need to pull, tug, yank, stretch, and do awkward yoga poses to get it off.
Wetsox founder Bryan Marville was tired of continually yanking, pulling, and stretching his wetsuit on so he developed Wetsox. If you like the idea you can back it right now on Kickstarter. Bryan hopes to raise $15,000 in 38 days.
Watch out Oakley, Nike Vision is bringing heat to the skate and snow sunnies game with their debut line of Nike SB sunglasses. The shades all feature hand-crafted acetate frames and come in the following three styles and builds:
Nike Achieve (left column): A supple leather inlay and laser-etched Nike SB branding set the Achieve apart. Inspired by professional snowboarder Spencer O’Brien, the unisex style features a six-base frame coupled with a polished metal nose bridge. Includes minimal Nike SB branding on the interior. (MSRP $196)
Nike Volition (middle column): The Volition features premium metal details, including a semi-rim and a six-base frame. The retro-inspired design is complemented with minimal Nike SB branding: the swoosh on the frame’s exterior, crafted from premium metal. Subtle yet bright color pops ensure that the Volition remains on-trend. Metal pins alongside the lenses match minimal SB branding on the interior. (MSRP $196)
Nike Volano (right column): Featuring an acetate frame with full rim, the Volano is built with a six-base frame and tortoise-inspired color way, accented by Nike SB’s iconic logo. The classic silhouette features pops of color to provide a timeless yet modern design. (MSRP ranges from $156-$176)
Those who are down with the swoosh on their feet might find a few of these a viable (although spendy) option in the battle against the burning ball of fire in the sky.
The New York Times checks in with Paul Speaker and the ZoSea Media Holdings crew to get their spin on plans for World Surf League web broadcasting and the new 6,000 square foot production studio in their Santa Monica, California headquarters. Not surprisingly, according to WSL data the WSL is doing very well on everything digital and social as far as percentages go.
In making everything available online, the W.S.L. has solidified its growth in a key demographic: More than 67 percent of its audience is between 25 and 44 years old. Engagement across their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat accounts nearly doubled, while simultaneously dwarfing engagement rates of larger, more established leagues. The N.F.L.’s Facebook page has some 12.5 million likes compared with the surfing league’s 2.3 million likes. Yet the engagement that the league has per post — likes, comments and shares — is on par with the N.F.L., according to data provided by the organization.
Having heard about him for years (and meeting him several times), we’re still not sure we know that much about Powell founder George Powell of how he makes the products that helped change the face of skateboarding. Now, thanks to this short documentary we can say we know a little bit more about the company, but not much more about the man.
Here’s what former business partner (and skate bio auteur) Stacy Peralta has to say about him:
“So few people, including skateboarders, really have any idea of what it takes to make something as simple as a skateboard or even a single urethane wheel. George Powell is one of the very few skateboard builders in the world today who still manufactures many of his products in America under one roof just as he has always done, and so I was inspired to make this short film on him and his company, Skate One, and to share it with all of you. I hope you enjoy, and look forward to your comments.”
Dragon Alliance is upping their presence at USSA events like the US Grand Prix in a new deal with Crown Sports United.
“With revolutionary technology like the first fully frameless snow goggle and our new Swiftlock Lens Change System, we constantly strive to enhance the experience of being in the mountains,” said Dragon Alliance Founder and Chief Executive Officer Will Howard. “We are excited to leverage this opportunity with Crown Sports to engage more fully with USSA supporters and the winter recreation community.”
This new agreement will reportedly see the integration of Dragon signage, on-site marketing space, in-event promotion, video content on broadcast and in-event, and promotion on USSA social media channels for the eyewear company. For the official word from Dragon, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
On Saturday, February 28, 2015 the Subliminal Skatepark in Shrewsbury, Massechusetts will host a fund raiser to help support Rob Pontes and his family through his treatment for ALS.
Rob Pontes is a pillar in the East Coast skate scene. His hard work through the years has benefitted too many shops, parks and skaters to count. Come out & support a fellow skater, there will be contests, prizes, giveaways and a demo with Ramondetta, Robbie Brockel, Jack Olson and more. Visit ActionsREALized.com for full details and see the Roll For Rob products coming soon.
For more information and the event and what you can do to help please click the link.
The minds behind Girl Skateboards (Mike Carroll, Rick Howard, Megan Baltimore, and Spike Jonze) have decided that now is a good time to do a little work with other people’s money. In this case private equity firm Altamont Capital’s money, according to a Kailee Bradstreet story on Transworld Business.
“Our conversation with Altamont began last year,” Girl Co-founder Megan Baltimore says. “We weren’t actively looking for investors when we first met them, but everything they were working on was very interesting and relevant to us. Partnering with them helps us accelerate what we want to do with our brands and what we want to do for skateboarding.”
Girl (and their brands) are joining Fox, Mervin, HUF, Dakine, and Brixton in Altamont’s growing action sporting mall portfolio. Congrats to them. We hope they enjoy the money and use some of it to keep fighting the good fight.
The World Skateboarding Grand Prix announced today (February 26, 2015) that they will be hosting another world championship of skateboarding in the center of the skateboarding universe. . . Kimberley, South Africa October 7 – 10, 2015. 
