by The Editors on July 25, 2008
On approach the white topped tents and scaffolding of the US Open of Surfing venue looks like a Bedouin encampment rising out of the dusty sand expanse of Huntington Beach. But on closer inspection it becomes obvious that it is more like of an action sports Bartertow,n with booth after booth of excited merchants pressing products on Southern California’s trend-setting youth.
While the crowds today were nothing like they’ll be this Saturday and Sunday it is obvious that the popularity of Southern California action sports as spectacle is not fading in the least. Follow the jump for all the photos (click them to see them full size).
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on July 24, 2008
Sonny Garcia, 38, is out from under house arrest, back on the hunt for a spot on the WCT Tour and getting married for the third time, according to a story in the LA Times.
Before I went to prison, I made a pact with myself that I would try my hardest to get back on tour and retire on my own note,” he said. “To be back, traveling, hanging with my friends, doing what I love to do, is such a relief.” . . . When I went to prison, I lost all my sponsors,” he said. “I’ve got some new sponsors that are really good and they’re not putting any kind of pressure on me to requalify, or even do the tour, for that matter. They really don’t even care, they just want me to go out and surf and have fun.”
After he surfs in the round of 96 at the Go211.com US Open of Surfing he’s “scheduled to marry Colleen McCullough in Laguna Beach.”
Sounds like a big week for Sonny. We wish him the best. It’s not going to be easy.
[Link: LA Times]
by The Editors on July 24, 2008
If things go according to plans the Oceanside, California based California Surf Museum may move into an empty strip club near the Oceanside Pier.
The museum would nearly triple its space if it moves from its 2,000-square-foot home at 223 N. Coast Highway into the defunct Play Girl Club a half block away at 312-314 Pier View Way. . . The museum’s permanent collection numbers more than 2,000 pieces, with 125 surfboards that can’t be displayed at once because of lack of room. Stuffed into the small space are exhibits depicting the evolution of surfboards, the history of surfing and its distinctive place in the Southern California culture. About 20,000 visitors, including 1,000 students, tour the museum annually.
Wonder if they’ll bring back any of the former employees as docents?
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on July 24, 2008
Florida sure is sharky. Yesterday, at the Ponce de Leon Inlet 15-year-old Troy Zettle fell off his board and stepped on a shark. The shark then bit him several times on the left foot.
“This is the second provoked attack we’ve had this year,” Petersohn said. “He took the wave and when he landed on the sand, he stepped on the shark. It whipped around and bit him a couple of times.”
This is the 14th shark bit of the year in Volusia County. Zettle should be fine. He apparently needed a few stitches and may have some tendon damage.
[Link: News Journal Online]
by The Editors on July 23, 2008
Tomorrow, July 24, 2008 at 1:30 PST Volcom will host a conference call to discuss their financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
The conference call will be available to interested parties through a live audio Internet broadcast at www.volcom.com. Volcom intends to utilize this webcast event to discuss financially-oriented goals and objectives and to disclose material company and industry-based topics in an open manner. The company does not plan to report or comment on its progress during the current fiscal quarter.
For those who are not available to listen to the live broadcast, the call will be archived for one year on the Volcom website. A telephone playback of the conference call will also be available until 11:59 p.m. EST, Thursday, July 31, 2008. Listeners should call (800) 642-1687 (domestic) or (706) 645-9291 (international) and use reservation: 55485369.
[Link: BusinessWire]
by The Editors on July 23, 2008
Claiming the “double whammy” of too many boards being produced and a soft US market, Firewire Surfboards has closed it’s Burleigh manufacturing facility and is moving all of it’s production to “its low-cost factory in Thailand.
The company, whose investors included former Billabong Surfwear CEO Matthew Perrin and golfer Adam Scott, will open a new retail showroom at Currumbin this weekend. . . But it has closed its Burleigh manufacturing facility – which employed about 50 people and churned out up to 400 surfboards a week.
Director Nev Hyman said the US surfboard market, which accounted for 70 per cent of the group’s sales, was suffering “its worst slump ever” as a result of the international credit crunch and soaring living costs.
Tell us about it.
[Link: News.com.au]
by The Editors on July 23, 2008
After only five events on this year’s ASP WCT Tour it’s looking more and more like Kelly Slater has a lock on number 9, number 9, number 9. Even defending world champ Mick Fanning is beginning to talk like a beaten man, according to Australia’s Goldcoast.com.au.
“I guess it’s not over till it’s over, but it’s like climbing Everest and he’s halfway up the bloody hill,” said Fanning, who would have to win four of the remaining six events to stand a chance of beating ‘superman’ Slater. . . Fanning was disgusted at his performance in the final at Jeffreys Bay, knowing he let a prime opportunity to keep the title race alive slip through his fingers. . . “I surfed like an idiot,” said Fanning. “I just had a shocker. I was feeling great. I just couldn’t stay on my board.”
No worries, Mick. You just fell prey to the Slater mind warp.
[Link: Goldcoast.com.au]
by The Editors on July 22, 2008
Perry Ellis International has just announced signing a licensing agreement with leading European clothing giant TV Mania GMBH and Must International Trading, PTE, Ltd., to resurrect the Gotcha brand in Europe.
George Feldenkreis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perry Ellis International, said: “We are very excited about this agreement with TV Mania and Must International Trading. Their knowledge of both the European market and the surf lifestyle make them the ideal partner to re-launch Gotcha in Europe. We look forward to an outstanding partnership.”
Hard to believe anyone is interested is putting more money into this brand (no offense, Michael).
[Link: MarketWatch]
by The Editors on July 21, 2008
Proving that all his waterman skills are on point, the North Shore’s Mark Healey just pulled in a first place at the Bluewater World Cup of Spearfishing in La Paz, Mexico.
He speared a 55 pound Wahoo along with Yellow Tail, Roosterfish, Milkfish and Skip Jack. Although he had never entered the tournament before and was the only surfer in attendance, all of his daily practice in the deep waters off Hawaii and Fiji paid off as he took home the $3200 winner’s check. . . “I’ve been doing different spearfishing events for the last three years or so, but this was the first year I’ve competed in the Bluewater World Cup,” Healey said. “A friend convinced me to enter and fork out the cash to get there and it was definitely worth it.”
It figures someone who is used to long hold-downs would win it. Congrats, Mark.
[Link: The Mountain And Wave]
by The Editors on July 21, 2008
. . . which probably means it should not be missed, even if you’re already on the US Open party train.
[Link: Transworld Surf]
