It’s taken Jordy Smith a while, but he finally won an ASP event outside South Africa as he edged Brazilian surf hero Adriano de Souza 17.80 to 16.34 in the Billabong Rio Pro on Sunday, May 19, 2013 in two- to four-foot surf. It was Smith’s third ASP World Tour win.

“This win feels unbelievable,” Smith said. “It’s another dream come true. I knew I could win a World Tour event, but I had to prove to myself that I could do it away from South Africa. Thanks to crowd and Adriano (de Souza). He’s been ripping the whole event. Thanks to all of my friends and family for all of the amazing support.”

His appearance in the final pushed de Souza into the lead in the ASP World Rankings just head of Jordy. That and beating Kelly Slater in quarter final one, added up to a pretty good day for the Brazilian even if it wasn’t another win. For the official word, including scores and top five World rankings, follow the jump.
Continue reading ‘Jordy Smith Airs Into Billabong Rio Pro Win’

The Extension Gallery in Allston, Massachusetts is hosting a collection of all of Dennis Mcnett’s artwork for Antihero Skateboards Saturday evening, May 18, 2013. The event is a celebration of the Antihero + Orchard Capsule Project release.

The show will feature the entire collection of skateboard graphics that Dennis Mcnett has created for Antihero, including the original wood relief cutouts and insight to this amazing artist’s process. . . That evening we will also be releasing the Orchard X Antihero “Off Campus Housing” capsule including a board designed by Dennis and a limited edition “Care Package from Mom” collection of co-branded goodies.

The opening begins at 8 PM. Extension Gallery is located at 156 Harvard Ave. in Allston, Massachusetts.

[Link: Orchard Skateshop]

Hitchhiker Kai a.k.a. Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, the “home free” surfer who described himself as “straight out of Dogtown” after saving a woman’s life when the man whose car he was riding in purposely began ramming people with his car, has reportedly been arrested for murder of a New Jersey lawyer, according to a story on NBC News.

Officials believe McGillvary, 24, killed Joseph Galfy, who was found in his Clark, N.J. home on Monday, dead of blunt force trauma. Prosecutors say Galfy met McGillvary in Times Square Saturday night, and brought him back to his house to spend the night. . . They say they believe the two men had a sexual encounter.

McGillvary posted on his facebook page that he woke up in a stranger’s house “realizing that someone had drugged, raped” him. And then asked, “What would you do?” Well, not going home with a New Jersey lawyer would be a good start. But we don’t know the life Kai lives. Either way, it would seem he’s up for the celebrity trial of the summer.
[Link: NBC News]

Volcom has created a new position for Mandy Fry. She will be the vice present of women’s. Women’s what? We’re guessing with her year of experience in design (most recently 12 years at Billabong) she’ll be running everything at VeeCo that has anything to do with women.

“With Mandy leading the women’s division we are now fully equipped to build on an important part of our business. We see an incredible opportunity to further develop our women’s program on a global level,” said Jason Steris, CEO of Volcom. “Mandy’s creative vision and business insight is just what we need to take Volcom women’s to the next level. We are absolutely thrilled and honored to have her join the Volcom team.”

We’re expecting some great things for girls at Volcom in the coming year. Watch out! For the official word from Volcom, follow the jump.

Continue reading ‘Mandy Fry Jumps To Volcom From Billabong’

Skateboarding doesn’t go much deeper, kinder, or funnier than with Jason Lee and Chris Pastras. Just watch this edit and you’ll understand what we’re talking about.

Is it possible to ride a hand hewn slab of pine wood in a derby? Signal Snowboard’s Dave Lee make the impossible possible in this season’s final episode of Every Third Thursday.

[Pinewood side note: if you're into real pinewood derby racing and happen to be in Portland, Oregon Friday, June 7, 2013 sign up for Nemo Design's Pinewood Derby races.]

[Link: Signal Snowboards]

Continue reading ‘Dakine Scouts Mesa For Summer Bags’

Bonnier Corp, the parent company of Transworld Media, has apparently sold two more of its magazine titles. A little over a week ago they sold Ski, Skiing, and Warren Miller Entertainment. This week they’ve sold their parenting magazines to publisher Meredith, according to a story on Folio.com.

Meredith today announced it acquired the Parenting and Babytalk brands from Bonnier. The two magazines will effectively be absorbed into Meredith’s existing Parents and American Baby brands. . . Following the deal, subscribers of Parenting and Babytalk will begin getting Parents and American Baby instead starting with the September issues.

And while there is still no talk of selling Transworld Media, and President Dave Freygang assures the industry that the recent slew of title offloading “should not be taken as the dismantling of the company,” a spokesman for Bonnier is reported as saying that “the company will continue to review opportunities for further rightsizing as well as acquisitions.” Rightsizing? Yeah, that means selling more stuff doesn’t it?

[Link: Folio]

Real Skateboards co-founder Jim Thiebaud has partnered up with the guys from Green Day on a skateboard collaboration that will help raise funds for the Children’s Hospital & Research Center in Oakland, according to a story in the New York Daily News.

“It’s a true collaboration with Green Day,” Thiebaud told the Daily News. “I’ve been friends with Billie Joe for more than 15 years. I grew up in Berkeley and Oakland. When you were a punk rocker or a skateboarder, you stuck out, so you got to know everyone in the scene.” . . Mimicking the graphics for Green Day’s latest, multi-album release, “Uno!,” “Dos!,” and “Tré!,” Real is issuing custom skateboards that the company will sell in skate shops and online. Proceeds will go to Children’s Hospital.

For the rest of the great story behind a group of really good guys, click the link.

[Link: NY Daily News & Green Day]

Kilwag, that smarty pants editor of Skate And Annoy, linked up a great story from Salon.com by Matt Reevy titled: Authenticity and the X Games: Why ESPN just doesn’t get it.  In it Reevy gets right down to the heart of the action sports/mainstream media conundrum. We’ve always said that the mainstream doesn’t care, won’t care, and never has cared about action sports. But Reevy makes a much more complete, compelling argument:

Essentially, what ESPN seems to miss,, is that that the statement “I am a skateboarder” is a far different one than “I am a basketball player”. There’s no such thing as the best skateboarder, BMX rider, snowmobiler, skier, or snowboarder. Placing in the X Games is a reflection of a high level of skill, certainly, but it doesn’t make you the best.

Reevy finishes his article off with the statement that Shaun White is neither a snowboarder nor a skateboarder, “he just happens to ride them. Until that changes, no one is going to care about the X Games, regardless of where they’re held.”

While we’d never take anything away from Mr. White’s snowboarding and skateboarding, the larger point is made — X Games? Who really cares? Aside from the people who are getting paid, no one.

[Link: Salon.com via Skate and Annoy]