Yesterday (Monday, December 18, 2017) 2John Florence claimed his second surfing World Championship title by finishing second in the Billabong Pipe Masters behind France’s Jeremy Flores.
“It’s been my dream to win here at home,” Florence said. “There’s been a nervous build up to this event and I just don’t know what to say, I’m shaking. So many people have been here for me this year and it’s been awesome. It’s been an awesome year and I’m just so stoked.”
Yes, it has. And we’re stoked as well. Congrats, John John. For all the official details, please follow the jump.
Bruce Brown (left with his son Dana), the smooth voiced, kind, funny documentary filmmaker whose classic films The Endless Summer and On Any Sunday introduced the entire world to action sports died Sunday December 10, 2017 at home on his ranch north of Santa Barbara, California, according to a story in the Los Angeles Times. He was 80 years old.
Today our friend, partner, mentor, filmmaker, and father peacefully passed away in Santa Barbara, California. . . With Bruce Bruce and his inspiring movies an era comes to an end! His legacy lives on with all of us that continue to carry his torch! Thank you Bruce for all you did for this and future generations. Rest In Peace.
His infectious way of communicating cool inspired generations to follow their bliss and live unconventional lives (ours included). He infected the world with a stoke that will never die. For that we thank him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Yes, we’re going to see The Tribes of Palos Verdes, especially since we loved the book by Joy Nicholson. And we love saying we loved the book in that condescending tone that all readers use when discussing movies based on books. We loved the book. And we suggest you read it before you see the movie. (Click here to buy it).
For a Dashel Pierson overview on the film (including some quotes from Brendan and Emmet Malloy) click the link.
After four historic days of Adaptive Surfing that pushed the boundaries of the sport, Team Brazil was crowned World Champion for the second consecutive year at the 2017 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship presented by Vissla and the City of San Diego.
The fourth and final day of competition at La Jolla Shores beach in California was highlighted by multiple historic moments including the crowning of eleven World Champions, Adi Klang earning the first-ever ISA Gold Medal for Israel, the first Women Adaptive Surfing World Champions being crowned, Bruno Hansen from Denmark, continuing his streak of dominance in the AS-4 Division, earning a Gold Medal for the third consecutive year.
For the official word from the International Surfing Association, please follow the jump.
Good lord, it’s finally happening. Today, December 1, 2017 Boardriders Inc. has made an offer to acquire all of the shares in Billabong at a price of $1 cash per share.
Billabong International Limited (Billabong) (ASX: BBG) confirms that it has received a confidential, indicative and non-binding proposal from Boardriders, Inc. (Boardriders) to acquire all of the shares in Billabong, other than those already owned by Boardriders’ related entities, at a price of $1.00 cash per share, via a scheme of arrangement (the Indicative Proposal). Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.(Oaktree) have a majority interest in Boardriders. Oaktree, through controlled entities, already holds 19% of the shares in Billabong and is one of Billabong’s two senior lenders.
The idea has been batting around since October 14, 2015 and it looks like the timing is finally right. This still has to pass a unanimous recommendation from the Billabong Board (among other things) but really, what other option do they have? For the official press release from Billabong, please follow the jump.
While reading Matt Warshaw’s plea for the $30,000 he needs to keep the Encyclopedia of Surfing up and running we were reminded of an old National Lampoon magazine cover. You know, the one with the cute dog with a gun to it’s head and the words “If you don’t buy this magazine, we’ll kill this dog.” Because, you know, that’s basically what Mr. Warshaw is saying:
Well, this is a tough one to write, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Encyclopedia of Surfing is underwater. We need to raise $30,000 by December 31, or the whole online project—Encyclopedia, History of Surfing, Above the Roar—goes away.
The irony of course is that it isn’t even possible to read his whole plea without first becoming a subscriber. Guess that’s how the closed web works. If you like what Mr. Warshaw is doing and want to help him keep curating the official history of surfing and making it available to the world then please, by all means, contribute to his efforts. You can do that by clicking here and donating whatever you’d like. Again, he only needs $30,000 by December 31, 2017.
After failing to come to a deal with Quiksilver on the sponsorship of the 2017-18 big wave event and having a tough time getting permits, but saying that the event would go on “even if we have to have coconuts for trophies” the Aikau family has reportedly decided that The Eddie is a no go for this year, according to a story in the Star Advertiser.
“It really is the most prestigious surf contest in the world. And we did not want to compromise that because it ultimately would be compromising Eddie’s integrity to not do something proper,” said Aikau family spokesperson Cynthia Scrima. “The family hopes to hold “The Eddie” during the 2018-2019 season. Scrima said the Aikaus have already applied for a permit for next season and have been searching for a new lead sponsor.
Hopefully, everyone can get together for next year. Surfing needs The Eddie.
La Jolla Shores, California is host this week to the 2017 International Surfing Association’s Adaptive World Championships. The contest kicks of today (November 30, 2017). Click here to watch all the action live and online.
Couldn’t make it Newps last night for the premiere at VeeCo headquarters? Well not to worry. The whole Aliens Was Here film is only one click away. Thanks, Volcom.
On Saturday, November 11, 2017 A Walk On Water (a California-based nonprofit surf therapy organization) held a day of surf therapy for more than 115 special needs children and adults along with their families at Malibu’s Surfrider Beach. The Red Hot Chili Peppers’Anthony Kedis and pro surfer Courtney Conlogue even showed up for the celebration.
Over 115+ athletes participated in surf therapy heats, 200 volunteers and 40 experienced instructors who helped them safely navigate the waves and guided them safely in and out of the ocean. Families, supporters, partners and media filled the beach to cheer on these athletes as they rode some of the most ideal waves and experienced the most beautiful weather conditions than we could’ve imagined. . . The athletes along with their families enjoyed a day of positive energy, cheers, some tears of happiness, restoration and experienced the true healing powers of the ocean.
For the official word from A Walk on Water, please follow the jump.
Good lord, it’s finally happening. Today, December 1, 2017 Boardriders Inc. has made an offer to acquire all of the shares in Billabong at a price of $1 cash per share. 
After failing to come to a deal with Quiksilver on the sponsorship of the 2017-18 big wave event and having a tough time getting permits, but saying that the event would go on “
