by The Editors on June 21, 2010
According to a study conducted by the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History at Volusia County, Florida there seems to be a couple things that consistently show up when it comes to shark attacks in Florida:
The study, published in “Sharks and Their Relatives II,” found that sharks have the ability to see contrast in color and that the likelihood of a shark attack increases when there’s a new moon, swimmers are in 6 feet of water or less, on a Sunday and if they’re wearing a black-and-white swimsuit.
So maybe it best to surf midweek and leave your Volcom Bruce Annihilator Mod boardies at home the next time a surf calls for sharky waters.
[Link: Alligator.org]
by The Editors on June 21, 2010
Jurors who were deciding the fate of Skylar Peak, 26, and Philip Hildebrand, 31, two Malibu surfers who allegedly got into a paparazzi punch out at Malibu two years ago while the photographers were shooting actor Matthew McConaughey, have decided that they can’t decide in the misdemeanor battery case against the men, according to a story in the LA Times.
The hung verdict comes after about half a dozen delays in the trial of Skylar Peak, 26, and Philip Hildebrand, 31, who were each facing one count of misdemeanor battery.
This is the second mistrial for the case. Some take this latest twist as a perfect example of Malibu jurors protecting their own from the outside.
[Link: LA Times]
by The Editors on June 18, 2010
by The Editors on June 18, 2010
Last week the New York Times book review featured a story on Berlin-based writer Michael Scott Moore’s surfing history book Sweetness and Blood: How Surfing Spread from Hawaii to California to the Rest of the World, with Some Unexpected Results. In it he searches for the world’s first surfer.
Moore’s own history is a thing of shreds and patches, casually, almost randomly, assembled. But what he has done, subtly and beguilingly, is write a book about surfing that often is not really about surfing but about simply being alive (and, in some cases, dead).
Matt Warshaw says the book is “Warm, smart, funny, and beautifully written.” West of Jesus author Steven Kotler says it is a “wonderful and engaging book . . . [that] combines folk history, pop art, and great old-fashioned travel writing.” Moore also quotes Ben “the world’s greatest surf writer” Marcus in the first few pages of the book so we might just pick it up.
For a short interview with Michael Scott Moore click here for the NYT’s books blog Paper Cuts.
[Link: New York Times]
by The Editors on June 16, 2010
by The Editors on June 9, 2010
by The Editors on June 9, 2010
The Queensland Supreme Court ruled today (June 10, 2010) that when Billabong terminated its licensing agreement with Suzi Burke Suwenda’s company CV Bali Balance they did it correctly, according to a story in The Australian.
CV Bali Balance, associated with Sydney-born businesswoman Suzi Burke Suwenda, has lodged a claim in a Bali court for about $168 million in damages from Billabong after the surfwear company cancelled a distribution licence in 2005. . . The action in a Denpasar court is current, but the Queensland Supreme Court ruling should have a big bearing on the case in Bali, with several of the legal actions there relating to the legality or otherwise of the termination of the distribution agreement.
Even with the good news Billabong’s stock still dipped .11 percent yesterday. Suwenda, on the other hand still believes PT Bali Balance will prevail in their civil case in Indonesia, according to Goldcoast.com.au.
[Link: The Australian and Goldcoast.com.au]
by The Editors on June 9, 2010
There was no stopping Brazil’s Silvana Lima as she slashed right through the women’s ASP number 1 and 2 to claim victory in the Movistar Peru Classic and her third elite career victory yesterday, June 8, 2010 against Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons.
“I feel great!” Lima exclaimed after exiting the water. “I knew I needed to put up high scores early on because Sally (Fitzgibbons) has been surfing so well all event. I have some really good boards and I fell like I have been surfing well. I’m so stoked right now!” . . “It’s the biggest result I have had since last year,” Lima said. “It’s really good for me. I feel like I have been surfing well this year but haven’t been making heats. This is very good for my confidence and the rest of the season. I wish we didn’t have such a big break though.”
Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 8, 2010
Tar balls and a serious stink in the air isn’t stoping Pensacola Beach surfers from getting a few good waves even though BP has fouled up the gulf with their oil spill, according to a report on NTDTV.com
“This is a real shocker. I’m probably going to be real cautious today in what I do and where I go and what I see. But, like I said, we’re very stubborn,” said Blake Famer. “We’ll get in shark-infested, nasty waters. We’re borderline suicidal, I guess.”
Innerlight Surf Shop’s Yancy Spencer says the oil debacle is already hurting his business.
“It’s already affected our business. We own rental places too and we’ve had people canceling their week here. And then surfboard sales to summer surfers, that’s what we call people who don’t really surf year round, who surf when the weather gets nice, those sales have dropped off almost instantly.”
But it’s nice to know that BP is already giving Florida money to promote the fact that Florida beaches are still “open for business.”
[Link: NTDTV.com]
by The Editors on June 6, 2010
A surfer from Western Australia was reportedly knocked off his board and mauled by a shark while surfing Conspicious Beach near Walpole, according to the Hearald Sun.
The surfer’s leg is believed to have been badly savaged in the attack. It is understood he was bitten close to his knee, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening yesterday. . . An ambulance crew was sent from Walpole to tend the victim’s wounds before rushing him to Albany Hospital, which is about one hour’s drive further south.
“Monstrous” great whites have been apparently spotted in the area. West Oz surfers are tough.
[Link: Herald Sun]
According to a study conducted by the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History at Volusia County, Florida there seems to be a couple things that consistently show up when it comes to shark attacks in Florida:
