by The Editors on November 15, 2010
We’ve all gotten toes and arms (occasionally necks) tangled in leashes, but a San Diego surfer lost his finger on Saturday, November 13, 2010 after it was severed by his leash, according to a story in the Southwest Riverside News Network.
The 35-year-old man was surfing at around 9 a.m. when his surfboard leash, a strong cord with a small diameter, wrapped around and then severed his finger, said San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Nick Lerma. . . The man swam to the jetty north of the Mission Bay Channel and called for lifeguards and paramedics to treat his injury.
The finger was not recovered. Add that to the list of reasons to ditch your leash.
[Link: Southwest Riverside News Network]
by The Editors on November 14, 2010
by The Editors on November 14, 2010
Today, as thousands gather at Pine Trees on the shore of Kauai’s Hanalei Bay at 11 AM HST to remember son, brother, husband, and three-time ASP World Champion, Andy Irons, our thoughts are with the Irons family; specifically his parents Phil and Danielle, brother Bruce, and pregnant wife Lyndie.
Only parents who have lost a child, and those who have endured the death of an older brother or husband will understand the depth of loss the Irons family has been feeling since learning of Andy’s death on November 2, 2010.
Today will be difficult for everyone. Wherever you are at 11 AM HST, (1 PM PST, 2 PM CST, or 3 PM EST), please stop and take a minute or two to send positive thoughts to the Irons family.
To learn more about Andy Irons or to remember just a few of the things he added to the world during his short 32 years, click here for Graham Stapelberg’s Eulogy To A Great Waterman.
[Link: Andy Irons Tribute]
by The Editors on November 12, 2010
It seems nearly everyone from Sports Business to the Sydney Mourning Herald has been caught up in the story that Kelly Slater is being rewarded for his 10th ASP World Championship Title with a three percent stake in Quiksilver.
While the whole “champ turns down $10 million bonus for large chunk of Quik” story has a wonderfully compelling arc, nothing could be further from the truth.
As we mentioned on January 28, 2010, Quiksilver announced that one of the reasons for their March 26, 2010 shareholders meeting was “To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the grant of 3,000,000 shares of our restricted common stock to Kelly Slater as part of his sponsorship agreement.”
That proposal was approved by shareholders at the March meeting well ahead of Kelly’s title win. While Kelly will reportedly get a sizable bonus (seven figures) for his 10th title, the well-deserved stock grant is for his nearly lifetime dedication to brand, and not for his winning another title. Though, we can’t say it won’t help his negotiations down the road.
by The Editors on November 12, 2010
Keiko Beatie is bringing his surf film festival to the North Shore of Oahu with the North Shore Surf Film Festival at the Mokuleia Polo Field December 3-5, 2010.
On Friday Opening Night the Festival begins with the North Shore Premieres of Scratching the Surface, staring Julian Wilson the Australian surfer they say is destined to be the next Kelly Slater. Directed by Matt Beauchesne and produced by the Iron Brothers this film just won Best Surf Film at the California Surf Festival recently. Who Is JOB? Jamie and Mick O’Brien will be on hand to say a few words about this meaningful project.
For all the other details including by info on a Titus Kinimaka and the Kauai Boys performance follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 12, 2010
Eighty-four year-old actor Dick Van Dyke was reportedly surfing in Virginia Beach on his 10 foot longboard when he fell asleep on his board and drifted out to sea, according to a story in the Daily Mail.
‘I went out once and fell asleep on that board and I woke up out of sight of land,’ said Van Dyke, the star of Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. . . ‘And I looked around and I started paddling with the swells, and I started seeing fins swimming around me. I thought, “I’m dead”.’ . . ‘They turned out to be porpoises. They pushed me all the way to shore – I’m not kidding.’
Apparently, dolphins are bigger fans of 60s TV than scientists originally thought.
[Link: Daily Mail]
by The Editors on November 10, 2010
We learned today from a Scott Hulet story on The Surfer’s Journal that big wave surfer and industry legend Phillip “Flippy” Hoffman died early this morning (November 10, 2010) in Mission Viejo, California. Hoffman had reportedly been battling “unspecified pulmonary issues.” He was 81.
Born in Glendale, California in 1930, Flippy (as the surfing world knows him) was a member of the first wave of California surfers to chase big Hawaiian surf in the 1950s. Along with his roommate, Bob Simmons, Hoffman was the first mainland surfer to take up residence on the North Shore of Oahu. . . Along with his brother, Walter Hoffman, Flippy owned and operated Hoffman California Fabrics, a custom textile house supplying California surf brands.
The Hoffmans are one of the world’s foremost surf families. Flippy will greatly be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Click here for more info.
[Link: The Surfer’s Journal]
by The Editors on November 9, 2010
Surfers, friends, and family of Andy Irons will gather this Sunday, November 14, 2010 in both Hawaii and Huntington Beach, California to pay tribute to the life of the three-time ASP World Champion.
The family memorial service will be held at Pine Trees in Hanalei Bay, Kauai at 11:00 AM, while a Southern California memorial will be held the same day at 12:30 PM on the South side of the Huntington Beach Pier. Both memorials will be followed by an honorary paddle out to pay tribute to his legacy.
For more information, click the links.
[Link: Billabong and Nixon]
by The Editors on November 9, 2010
Ireland appears to be delivering another wave into XXL contention according to a story in the Irishtimes.
The latest wave, dubbed “Prowlers” by the hardy crew of Irish, British and South African surfers who first ventured out on it yesterday, breaks on an undersea reef about 2km (1.2 miles) off the west coast. While they are refusing to disclose its exact location, the surfers, including Andrew Cotton, reveal they have been waiting five years for the type of conditions required to surf it.
They’re saying this new spot bumped up some 40-50 foot faces thanks to Hurricane Tomas. Looks pretty amazing.
[Link: Irish Times]
by The Editors on November 6, 2010
Kelly Slater didn’t stop with his 10th World Title. Nope. He rolled right on past Taj Burrow in the semi final. Then dominated Bede Durbidge in the final with a perfect 10 on 10 day at the Rip Curl Pro Search Puerto Rico.
Kelly seemed relived that this contest was over, but he was still as gracious as ever on the podium, even thanking the Puerto Rican fans in Español. “This is the only event close to my home,” Slater said. “When I was a kid growing up in Florida I spent a lot of time in Puerto Rico. I surfed a lot of contests at Jobos and Wilderness. So this is like my home away from home. We’re all surfing for Andy and we’re all feeling a special feeling in the water. I want to thank all of you for taking the moment of silence before the heat. And that crazy rainbow out of now where.”
We all have a November week to remember and it’s great that we can finish it off with all these good memories.
Full results and a word from the ASP after the jump.
[click to continue…]
