by The Editors on August 24, 2007
Even though Billabong has reported a net profit of $167.25 million (up 14.6 percent) for 2006/07, and sales revenue that grew 20.1 per cent to $1.22 billion, shares in the company still fell five percent after the announcement today.
Sales in the Americas, the group’s biggest region, rose in the double digits, while EBITDA rose by 12.3 per cent to $US111.9 million ($A136.03 million). Mr O’Neill said the Americas region was backed by strong performances in Canada and South America.
Oddly, an analyst “who did not wish to be named” said the Americas were “disappointing” because of the Aussie dollar. Can you be a quoted stock analyst and not wish to be named? We’re all for anonymous comments, but still that seems shady.
[Link: The Age]
by The Editors on August 24, 2007
Activision, the video game publisher, announced today that The Beastie Boys’ MCA will be a unlockable character in “Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground.”
The music legend joins a roster of unlockable bonus skaters that has included superheroes and rock stars from Iron Man to Gene Simmons to last year’s featured franchise guest, Travis Barker. In exclusive images, it appears that MCA will be skateboarding — of all places — on the moon.
The game is coming out in October for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, and our personal gaming platform of choice, the Nintendo DS.
[Link: MTV]
by The Editors on August 23, 2007
There’s really nothing more to say about this than, “That’s sad.” A 15-year-old skateboarder was killed August 22 when he fell while being towed by a vehicle and was run over.
Police have not released the names of either the 15-year-old victim or the 16-year-old driver. The accident took place in an elementary school parking lot. The skateboarder was taken by helicopter to a hospital in critical condition, police said. He later died.
[Link: Houston Chronicle]
by The Editors on August 22, 2007
Investors Business Daily is big on Zumiez the day before they announce their quarterly earnings:
But when Zumiez reports fiscal 2007 second-quarter results Wednesday, watchers expect it to shine. July’s strong same-store sales followed a 13.7% gain in June’s same-store sales and an 11.2% rise in May. Total July sales were up 42.4% from the prior year. June’s rose 48.8%, and May’s gained 51.6%
Get all the details by clicking the link.
[Link: Investors Business Daily]
by The Editors on August 21, 2007
Burton has planted it’s first major flag in the retain landscape of Southern California as a further reminder that Jake is coming after the action sports industry with all guns blazing.
“Bringing our snow, surf and skate brands under one roof is challenging, but at the same time it feels right,” says Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards. “Our family of brands have different messages, but their roots are all connected through the spirit of boardsports. Our intention is to capture that spirit and invite riders, skaters and surfers to come experience it.”
And we agree. No one will ever handle their brands better than they do. Apple is a prime example. Follow the link for the full release.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on August 19, 2007
There is nothing sadder than children dying and when two Southern California pre-teens died in one week while riding their skateboards it’s a stong reminder to wear protective gear:
In Moreno Valley, 12-year-old Sean Mikhail died Aug. 11 when he fell off his skateboard and hit his head on the pavement. He was not wearing a helmet. . . . In Menifee, Marlena Mattfeld, 11, of Long Beach, died Monday, three days after she lost control and slid beneath a moving motor home at Hanover Lane and Holland Road, near her grandmother’s home.
While helmet’s can’t save skateboarders from getting run over by motorhomes they can be helpful when rolling concrete. And, in California. . . it’s the law.
[Link: Press-Enterprise ]
by The Editors on August 17, 2007
Lately there has been a lot of talk about skateboarding and the Olympics. The most powerful sporting organization in the world is having trouble with “the kids” and they think it might be time to include skateboarding in the official program. Brian Hendrickson of The Columbian newspaper in Clark County, Washington discussed this issue of 2007 X Games Big Air Gold Medalist Bob Burnquist.
“I’d rather it not happen than happen the wrong way,” Burnquist said Thursday after finishing his preliminary run on the vert ramp at the AST Dew Tour in the Rose Garden. “They need us more than we need them. And that’s OK. But we need to figure this out.”
Hendrickson claims the TV ratings for the Olympics have been sliding lately and that “skating’s popularity has erupted.” We know at least one writer who hasn’t check the X Games or AST Dew Tour ratings in a while.
[Link: The Columbian]
by The Editors on August 17, 2007
Yes, Tod Swank should be very worried. Some Bay College students somewhere in Northern Michigan are gunning for the Guinness Book of World Records with their 31 foot long skateboard.
“When it all comes together, you see things,” explains Shaun Anderson, the project leader. “It started from a regular board, to the deck, the trucks, to the tires, and then it came into something that looks like a skateboard.”
We’ll see how long this one lasts. . .
[Link: WLUC TV]
by The Editors on August 8, 2007
Musician, writer, and former Seattle dweller Arlie John Carstens went to the 2007 X Games and then wrote about it for the LA Weekly. In his essay he included some good lines regarding X:
Aside from the thousands of hoochies running around in Frankenflops and the aforementioned OC elite with their hats and asshole glasses, the games were surprisingly boring in person. This is an entirely made-for-television event.
And an X Games truth if ever there was one:
Basically, any activity where there’s a good chance someone might wipe out badly, suffer paralysis or die spectacularly has always been fair game for X Games coverage, subtleties of soul and style be damned.
Of course, Arlie finalized his essay by locking into the philosophical out that almost everyone takes: the money. Oh yeah, it’s all okay because everyone is getting paid. And after all, that’s what action sports are about. Just click the link and read it. It’s better than we’re making it sound.
[Link: LA Weekly]
by The Editors on July 20, 2007
John Van Hazinga, 29, the owner of Burlington, Vermont’s Ridin’ High Skate Shop has been in a coma for the last week after suffering a head injury while downhilling near Smuggler’s Notch.
During a run, Van Hazinga’s board wobbled, causing him to flip in the air. Van Hazinga, who was wearing a helmet, protective gloves and knee and elbow pads at the time, crashed onto the pavement and sustained serious head trauma.
The local skate community has wholly supported the Van Hazinga’s family since the accident. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
[Link: BurlingtonFreePress.com]
