by The Editors on September 30, 2008
In 1970 surfer Peter Drouyn was the number one ranked surfer in the world: for men. Now the 58-year-old Australian is “transforming himself into a lookalike of voluptuous Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. . . and going by the name of Westerly,” according to a story on Metro.co.uk.
The retired legend, from Sydney, said his male hormones had gradually ‘drained from his body and been replaced by female hormones’ over the past eight years. . . . ‘It hasn’t been intentional. It’s totally natural, with no medication or hormone therapies, no enhancements and no advice. . . . It’s just happening,’ he said. . . . ‘It’s a strange phenomenon. This is all happening for a purpose.’ And he plans to undergo gender reassignment, which he hopes will be his ‘rebirth as a human’.
Apparently, he’s serious.
[Link: Metro.co.uk]
by The Editors on September 29, 2008
Transworld Surf’s Chris Cote just got a pile of these stickers and it sounds like he loves them:
As we all know, stand up paddling is lame, and we finally have a sticker that clearly tells the world what we’re all already thinking. My favorite people, the Gieger bros from down in Puerto Rico have created the best sticker ever.
Can’t say we disagree.
[Link: Transworld Surf]
by The Editors on September 29, 2008
by The Editors on September 29, 2008
The idea was to use sandbags placed in a “V” to “generate waves in a once-popular spot north of El Segundo’s [California] Grand Avenue,” but now the Surfrider Foundation says there is no reason to keep the reef up because it just never worked the way they’d hoped it would.
“We didn’t effectively get our surf back,” Surfrider Environmental Director Chad Nelsen said. “It’s been eight years, almost nine (since the reef was constructed), and it didn’t meet performance standards. We want to act responsibly. We don’t want these big pieces of plastic affecting the marine environment.”
It was a nice try. Thanks for cleaning up after yourselves.
[Link: Contra Costa Times]
by The Editors on September 29, 2008
The Burlington Free Press has done a short story on “youth marketing agency” Fuse, and the company’s partner Dr. Evil Issa Sawabini was kind enough to kick down a couple marketing tips:
1.) Get specific about your target audience, you likely can’t talk to everyone and get their attention.
2.) Avoid using stereotypes — goatees and tattoos don’t make your brand cool.
3.) Use the best photography.
4.) Develop a system to make sure your marketing program is working.
5.) Develop a marketing platform that makes sense for the brand.
6.) Develop authentic marketing programs.
7.) Measure your results and stay flexible.
8.) Select marketing tactics that work for your brand.
9.) Don’t use the word Xtreme.
It’s nice that corporate America is still this stupid, especially for those running youth marketing companies.
[Link: Burlington Free Press]
by The Editors on September 28, 2008
Famous brother and filmmaker Chris Malloy apparently had better things to do this weekend than to attend the world premiere of his newest film One Track Mind (like work on his next film 180 South). That did not, however, keep hundreds of people from lining up outside the Patagonia Store in Cardiff, California last night for the film’s two showings (the line for the second showing stacked up all the way to The Office).
One Track Mind takes a look at the world of progressive contest surfing through the minds and wave riding of current, former, and potentially future ASP champs like Rabbit Bartholomew, Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, Rob Machado, Mick Fanning, Jon Jon Florence, Jordy Smith, Sunny Garcia, Dane Renolds, Kolohe Andino, and others.
Rather than the usual artsy, hippie, trip-out “Malloy” film, One Track Mind is a clean, concise documentary that could easily be a 2008 update to the classic 1990 Bill Delaney film Surfers: The Movie.
In interviews the surfers explain what it’s like to try to be the best in the world and how each generation builds on the past to push progression forward. The interviews are interspersed with amazingly tight action sequences that almost become boring in their brilliance.
Follow the jump for the rest of the story. . .
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 24, 2008
Looks like there was no magic for Kelly Slater in his final against Adrian Buchan. Kelly stuck at it with 11 waves, but could only come up with an 8.43 and a 6.73. The Australian edged in with an 8.17 and a 7.75 with 9 waves total.
[Link: Quiksilver Live]
by The Editors on September 23, 2008
The Christian Science Monitor is paddling into the “battle of the boards” as things heat up at the ‘Bu thanks to stand up paddlers invading the lineups. And who is the go-to guy for all thing SUP? San Diego surf talk radio host Scott Bass.
“SUP is a throwback to what true watermen all aspired to do, and once you try it, you’re instantly hooked,” says Scott Bass, a San Diego surf talk radio host. “But it’s also a curse.” . . . Mr. Bass, who prefers stand-up surfing when the waves aren’t big enough for shortboarding, says SUP is like having too much of a good thing. . . . “People see stand-up riders catching waves and suddenly they’re everyone’s enemy,” he says. “There are some beaches where there’s such a negative vibe that stand-up surfers don’t even step foot in the water.”
And it’s true. Malibu City Councilman Jefferson Wagner thinks they should be banned.
“Stand-up paddle boarders should be banned from the surf zone,” says Mr. Wagner, who owns Zuma Jay, a surf shop that is a Malibu icon. “SUPs are too large and bulky for a person to control around other people.”
For the rest of what’s SUP, click the link.
[Link: Christian Science Monitor]
by The Editors on September 23, 2008
by The Editors on September 22, 2008
We knew we should have flown down to Del Mar today. Looks like the the US Commerce Department hearing over route 241 tuned into more of a yelling and screaming, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Despite repeated warnings to maintain decorum, supporters and opponents of the proposed state Route 241 toll-road extension both cheered and jeered dozens of speakers at a public hearing Monday. . . . At times, some of those in the crowd of more than 1,000 drowned out the speakers. “Stop the lies,” yelled a woman from the audience.
Leave it to the engineers, construction workers, and unions to think that stopping this new road is all about them. For a surf-industry perspective check out Sean O’Brien’s story and photos on Surfexpo.com.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
