by The Editors on December 13, 2008
In something of a logic reach (nice, if it got him a paid trip to Hawaii) The New York Times writer Matt Higgins delves into the fading economy, Quiksilver’s stock price, and professional surfing and discovers that for the most part surfers don’t really care.
Randy Rarick, the executive director of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, taking place on the North Shore of Oahu this week, said: “I have a little saying, ‘The stock market is down; surf is up.’ No matter what, you don’t have a paycheck coming in, you’re not doing anything, you can still go out and catch a wave.”
And then there is Quik team manager Strider Wasilewski:
“A lot of these guys live in their own reality, which they have created — which is a good one,” he said. “Most of these guys don’t even know there’s a recession.”
Apparently, it’s the fashion industry that is having problems, not surfing. And that is a good thing to remember.
[Link: The New York Times]
by The Editors on December 12, 2008
It was a battle in the rain as Kelly Slater and Chris Ward sat and surfed in some large and funky Pipeline. But Kelly Slater, riding his 5’11” Al Merrick, did what he always seems to do: he surfed with knowledge, skill, and fluidity and will go home with that Gerry Lopez trophy board and his 6th Pipeline Masters title.
“There was no doubt in my mind, this guy is unbelievable. Wardo is one of the best barrel riders in the world,” Kelly said. “He got me out here last year. If he would have let me win last year, maybe he could have gotten this one today.”
Wardo came close, but because of Slater’s win Joel Parkinson takes his first Triple Crown Title. No offense to Wardo, but Parkinson was over ended up runner. “Andy has taken it away from me twice and today I was thinking this just can’t happen again,” Parkinson said.
[Link: Billabong Pipeline Masters]
by The Editors on December 12, 2008
by The Editors on December 11, 2008
Yesterday, during his third-round Billabong Pipeline Masters heat against 2008 Triple Crown points leader Dusty Payne, Joel Parkinson scored two perfect 10 wave scores and joins Kelly Slater as the only surfers ever to surf a perfect heat. And we missed it!
I never thought I would get two perfect 10s, it’s not something you hear about every day,” the world No.4 said. “I have to start thinking more about the Triple Crown now. I have to forget about those 10s.”
So when is the ASP going to have to take make the points scale go to 11?
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald]
by The Editors on December 11, 2008
Jared Smith, a 19-year-old surfer from Australia thought it might be nice to have a quiver without having a quiver. So he designed a surfboard which snap-out switchable tails.
Using a 20-cent coin, the surfer can unscrew the joint at about a third of the board’s length and connect a different tail to suit the break. . . . Mr Smith’s board earned the Best Potential for Commercialisation award at an exhibition of HSC Design and Technology projects for 2007.
While the Chinese company Headside Surf Gears has “expressed interest” in making the boards for Smith, he would much rather license the technology to a company like Billabong or Rip Curl and “get paid royalties.” Sadly, we’re going to bet that never happens.
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald]
by The Editors on December 9, 2008
Great Lakes surfers are an inspiration. When we’re sitting on our asses because our wetsuits (which have been out on the fence all night in 65 degree weather) are “too cold” to put on, or we’re feeling too lazy to walk the whole two and a half blocks to the beach, we think of Great Lakes surfers and are reminded of the whiney bitches we are.
Reading this story about long-time Great Lakes surfer Greg Isaacson from the Minneapolis City Pages just drove that this point home even further.
When surfers emerge from the lake, icicles dangle from their suits. And out on the water they have to pump their shoulders every so often to break apart sheets of ice that form on their backs. If it’s too cold, ice chunks the size of Mini Coopers roll through the waves, making it impossible to surf. (Isaacson admits that some guys will paddle out if the waves are pretty and the ice chunks are only the size of bowling balls.) But the break also needs just enough ice on the lake to groom the water. “Ice smoothes the top of the water out just like kelp does in the ocean,” says Vince Deur, director of Unsalted, a documentary film about the Great Lakes surf culture. “Without it, the surface would be choppy.”
Then again. If we lived that far inland, we’d probably be surfing the Great Lakes, too. What else is there to do there, anyway?
[Link: City Paper]
by The Editors on December 8, 2008
Hard to believe a wetsuit could be green. Rubber is made out of petroleum right? But Matuse, Inc. of San Diego, California makes wetsuits that are made out of Yamamoto rubber that is “derived from 99.7 percent pure limestone.” And now, UNIV has added a few touches of their own to these mini back-zip suits so we all can roll UNIV style right into the water.
It is warmer (98% water impermeable) and lasts longer (titanium coated) than standard neoprene. It is also kinder to mother nature since it’s made from limestone and does not come from petroleum. Yamamoto’s Geoprene technology means thinner rubber is warmer rubber. It not only weighs less, it is also more flexible for better performance. The UNIV + Matuse “Frogman” wetsuits will be available at the UNIV Concept Shop In Encinitas Calif.
Limestone rubber? We’re still tripping on that.
[Link: Univ-shop]
by The Editors on December 5, 2008
by The Editors on December 5, 2008
Not getting enough of action sports super-agent Steve Astephen darting here and there in front of the TV cameras with a cellphone to his ear? Well then, Entrepreneur.com has just want you’re looking for in the Entrepreneur Insider: Marketing That Takes Flight.
Steve Astephen’s legacy is everywhere. It’s in the oceans. It’s in the mountains. It’s on the street. But more than anywhere, it’s in the air, where his clients’ exploits inspire the next generation of action sports stars. Ten years ago, Astephen revolutionized the action sports industry when he recognized the marketability of its larger-than-life athletes and created an agency focused on turning them into brands. He has since partnered with Wasserman Media Group and become one of the biggest names in the game, but he still remembers when his biggest asset was the sort of infectious energy that comes only from someone eager to break the mold.
Not sure “revolutionized” is the right word, but he certainly brought a circus-tent load of commercialism. We just hope Steve’s “legacy” doesn’t run us over the next time we go outside; ’cause that thing is apparently everywhere.
[Link: Entrepreneur.com]
by The Editors on December 5, 2008
In something of a logic reach (nice, if it got him a paid trip to Hawaii) The New York Times writer Matt Higgins delves into the fading economy, Quiksilver’s stock price, and professional surfing and discovers that for the most part surfers don’t really care.
