Tom Butler is the five time British junior surfing champion and now he’s the English champion. What better time for the women’s section of the Times UK to interview the “surf dude” where he got to answer questions like this:
How do you let your hair down? Have a few beers, go out with my mates.
Spend much time grooming? I moisturise a little bit.
Seems like a nice guy to put up with these kinds of questions.
[Link: Times Online]
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Laird Hamilton will apparently be helping roll out a significantly more upscale line of clothing to the US market on July 20, 2008 as Oxbow opens it’s first store at 131 Broadway in Santa Monica.
Oxbow has sponsored me for almost 20 years: from my first experimentations with speed sailing in Europe and tow-in surfing in Maui in 1990 to the millennium wave in Teahupoo in 2001, and today, I am very proud to be associated with the launch of Oxbow in the US,” explains Laird Hamilton.
Which is great because his recent “more affordable” line of clothing isn’t doing so well.
[Link: Surfer’s Path]
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In what looks to be one of the dullest shows ever to play The Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA four members of Surfline.com’s “forecast team” will appear live from 1-4 pm on July 12, 2008 to show people how to use the website’s forecast tools. What?
For a $10 cover charge, people will get 3 hours packed with surf forecasting info and chances to win lots of cool surf gear from South Coast Surf Shop, Kommunity, Dakine, FCS, and Bulky Boy. The afternoon will include a presentation, plus open Q & A sessions throughout the rest of the day. Each forecaster will have a laptop so they can show people the most efficient ways to navigate the site based on their forecasting needs.
Each forecaster will have a laptop? Someone, please tell us this is a joke?
[Link: Surfline.com]
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According to The Age, “former tennis star Mark Philippoussis was lucky to escape with his life after he paddled into wild seas off Victoria’s surf coast today.”
Philippoussis was dragged into an area known as the Valley and pummelled by waves until his board snapped. . . He managed to reach a cave, where he spent about two hours, apparently to wait until the tide dropped, while onlookers alerted his girlfriend who was in a nearby carpark.
Locals apparently warned the Australian champ that he probably shouldn’t paddle out at Winkipop Beach, but he went anyway.
[Link: The Age]
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Surfer Frank Lourda, 61, a Santa Barbara area contractor was found “floating in the sea off San Augustine’s Beach at Hollister Ranch on Monday, June 30, 2008 according to a story in the Santa Barbara Independent.
Although the official cause of death has not yet been determined, Louda’s apparent drowning comes as a shock for many Santa Barbara architects and surfers as well as to his friends at Hollister Ranch, where he was partial owner of a parcel. He was an avid surfer and appeared to be in excellent health. “He was really very much an alive guy,” said friend and author Nora Gallagher. “People can’t figure it out.”
It’s a total cliche, but if you have to go, there are few spots more beautiful for a surfer. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
[Link: Santa Barbara Independent]
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Are we on the next bubble already? Do the words “blue” and “torch” ring any bells?
IMG and Go211.com today announced that Go211.com is the title sponsor of California’s longest running action sport and lifestyle festival. ‘Go211 Live featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing Presented by O’Neill‘ takes place from July 18 to 27, 2008 at the Huntington Beach Pier.
We’re dying to hear the backstory on this one. Please someone, send us email.
[Link: Global Surf News]
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Hurley International has now doubled the reward for information regarding the death of intern Dane Williams to $20,000, according to a story on CBS8.com. The 23 year old went missing in San Diego’s Gaslamp district last January during the ASR Show.
Notices seeking tips in the case have been posted on 45 bus shelters in San Diego and Orange Counties.
Williams’ mother is pleading for the public’s help. “I’m hoping that somebody that knows something about this is brave enough to come forward and not be afraid of it and do the right human thing,” Valen Williams.
Info should be be sent to CrimeStoppers at 888-580-TIPS.
[Link: CBS8.com]
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All 10 of the Australian surf retailer Brothers Neilsen shops remain closed after the founders were unable to sell the company, according to a story in The West Australian.
Liquidators deemed that a deed of company arrangement, accepted by creditors in January 2007, was not capable of being successfully completed because of the difficult trading conditions being experienced by the business. . . It is understood Brothers Neilsen and Brothers Neilsen International owe a combined $3.5 million to creditors, including surfwear manufacturers Rip Curl and Billabong and smaller clothing suppliers.
[Link: The West Australian]
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Speaking of rainbows that are waves. . . Transworld Surf magazine editor Chris Cote is officially a minister and he wants to take part in California’s newest legal minister activity: same sex marriages.
Here’s what he says on his blog Cote’s Cube:
If you’re looking for a minister who will take hold your wedding vows in the highest regard, but also have fun with it and keep everybody entertained, hit me up. Serious inquiries only. Oh, I’m not gay, but I am a huge fan of Queen, Rufus Wainwright, and The Communards—so I am a huge supporter! Lets get married! Lets Party!
Maybe he can start a new video show, too: Cote’s Queer Cube. We can only hope so.
[Link: Cote’s Cube]
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John Vasbinder of Cocoa Beach, Florida has been surfing for 40 years and never thought about sharks until one nearly bit his hand off.
Vasbinder, district vice president of the Central Florida YMCA, was lying on his surfboard June 7, paddling out to catch another wave, when his hand hit something. . . Turns out, something bit his hand. . . “I thought I hit a dolphin or a turtle or something until I looked at my hand,” Vasbinder said. “The skin on my palm was peeled back in three places and a couple of my finger tips were bleeding.”
After 45 stitches he was all better. But the bull shark got away unharmed.
[Link: TCPalm.com]
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