by The Editors on December 14, 2022
Honestly, we haven’t been paying much attention to the action sports media space lately, because there really aren’t any action sports media in the space (yeah, props to Thrasher, always). But, someone sent us a link to Emerald’s Shopping Blog and a story about A360 selling the old TransWorld Media and Surfer Publications titles (along with Men’s Journal) to The Arena Group, the current owners of Sports Illustrated, The Street, and Parade for close to $29 million dollars. The purchase includes the brands Skateboarding, Skateboarder, Snowboarder, Surfer, Powder, and Bike.
“For years, consumers have trusted Men’s Journal for exclusive lifestyle content and guidance on travel, gear, the outdoors, style, food & drink and more,” said Ross Levinsohn, chairman and CEO of The Arena Group. “Additionally, the titles within the Adventure Network have long stood for excellence with passionate enthusiasts within the Ski, Surf, Biking and Skateboarding communities. There are natural synergies between these brands and our existing audiences we can leverage and enhance through integration, distribution and our playbook, driving incremental value, growth and profitability. This strategic investment underscores our commitment to diversifying and devoting resources to opportunities where we see the most value across The Arena Group.”
As we all know, online media sites aren’t exactly killing it these days, but apparently The Arena Group (Where The Action Is™) knows some secret to getting paid. But as one industry insider told us, “Honestly, this seems like more bad media consolidation. Just stacking lots of money-losing things together rarely results in making money. They seem like they’re just building towards an acquisition by Hatchette or Condé Nast or someone bigger.” It doesn’t look like this insider is alone. Arena’s stock dropped 11 percent on today’s news. (Or was it that half percent rate hike.) You be the judge. For the official word from The Arena Group please follow the jump.
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by The Editors on December 12, 2022
The estate of Hawaiian Tropic tanning products founder Ron Rice (who died in May 2022 at age 81) is selling his home on the beach in Ormond Beach, according to a story on Entrepaneur.com. It features 12,414 square feet of 80s splendor on a one acre lot. They’re asking $5.9 million, or about what you’d pay for a two bedroom, one bath home on the beach near us. Here’s how it’s pitched:
Situated on a highly desirable stretch of Ormond Beachside along with other multi-million-dollar residences, the home sits high on the no-drive beach making it your private oasis. Expansive outdoor decking links 3 pools — one of which is both indoor and connected — to the extravagant main house where ocean views abound. In the great room, floor-to-ceiling windows provide unobstructed Atlantic vistas; of the 4 total bedrooms, 2 are opulent direct-oceanfront owners’ suites with their own private views; even the kitchen with its… its wrap-around breakfast bar offers its own vantage of surf and sun.
For a deeper dive into Ron’s personal life, you must click through to all the photos because it really is crazy. That’s all we’re going to say.
[Link: Entrepreneur.com]
by The Editors on November 29, 2022
Kanoa Igarashi is Southern California’s favorite local surfer with a Japanese passport so we shouldn’t be surprised to find him moonlighting as the face of Delta Airlines advertising in Nippon. But they’re not using ripping hot surf action of Mr. Igarashi. Nope. They’ve got a photo of him sitting on a plane and grimacing in pain just like every other poor sap suffering through a 12 hour flight from Detroit to Chubu.
As Japan eased travel restrictions in October and leisure travel demand from the Chubu region is expected to increase, Delta kicked off the campaign at the Chubu International Airport, with the support of the airport authority, hanging large-sized banners from the ceiling of the lobby. Delta launched additional OOHs at Kanayama Station and at Meitetsu Nagoya Station.
There he is. Just sitting. Will anyone who doesn’t surf even know who he is?
[Link: Branding in Asia]
by The Editors on October 21, 2022
Selema Masekela talks fashion with W Magazine and more specifically about his Alekesam brand.
As a young person, I aspired to get into the surf, snowboard, and skateboard industry. Being a pro athlete in this space would have been the ultimate, but I started too late and didn’t have the skill set, so I thought, How do I stay close to this? I was always curious about what a brand would look like in the surfing space that was specifically African.
Apparently, Alekesam will show us all exactly what that looks like. For the rest of the interview, click the link.
[Link: W]
by The Editors on October 19, 2022
Gregory “Scott” Starr, the Santa Barbara, California based skate, surf, snow photographer and boardsports historian died October 9, 2022 one day following his 61st birthday, according to a story in the Santa Barbara Independent. Most will remember him from his years shooting for Thrasher Magazine during the 1980s and 90s.
Scott loved photography, surfing, skateboarding, frisbee, snowboarding, his beach home, researching the history of all he loved, and weaving stories of it all. He was a respected film historian and archivist of surf/skate/frisbee/snowboarding sports and cultures, but above all that, he was an extraordinary person who always made others feel at ease. His family and many friends meant the world to him. Most important was his faith in Jesus.
The community will hold a paddle out to remember Starr’s life at a “local beach” on the afternoon of Friday, October 21, 2022.
[Link: Thrasher Magazine and SB Independent]
by The Editors on October 18, 2022
Don’t you love athletic complex mock-ups? They are optimistic, and forward thinking, and gleaming with earnest thoughts about a beautiful tomorrow. Perfect people lounging in chairs, drinks in hand surrounded by blue skies and palm trees. Yet, sadly, these plans almost always fail to become reality. The newest high-minded hopefulness is coming from Houston, Texas. HTX Surf is a Wavegarden technology powered wave in a 4,200 acre multi-use development called Generation Park.
“We’re thrilled to welcome this innovative, world-class surfing destination to Generation Park. Such a unique amenity is a great asset for Houston and will attract a wide range of personalities–from professional surfers, amateur boarders, families, and corporate groups among others,” said owner/developer of Generation Park Ryan McCord.
Construction is set to begin in “early 2023” with an opening in 2024. Please don’t take our negativity as hoping this project fails. We hope beyond hope that Texas gets another fake wave, we’re just not betting on it.
[Link: KSAT and HTX Surf]
by The Editors on September 17, 2022
The 2022 International Surfing Association World Surfing Games presented by Visit Huntington Beach were officially declared open by ISA President Fernando Aguerre at Pier Plaza on Friday, September 16, 2022.
Kicking off the festivities with the Parade of Nations, 246 of the world’s best surfers, representing 51 countries, marched down Main Street. Led by the Huntington Beach High School marching band, the teams sang out cheers and chants in celebration to the joy of the hundreds of spectators lining the street. . . Joining for the first time, teams from the nations of Algeria, Lithuania and Saudi Arabia drew extra support. . . The large crowd at Pier Plaza was treated to the ISA’s signature Sands of the World ceremony, with a member from each nation pouring sand from their local beach into a single container symbolizing the peaceful gathering of nations of the world through surfing. The audience rose for a tearful standing ovation as Team Ukraine joined the stage.
Nice to see an international surf contest of this size that is not privately owned. For the official word from the ISA please follow the jump.
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by The Editors on September 15, 2022
Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard (and his family) have decided to do an end around on the normal life cycle of a clothing brand in the action sports space. They’re not going public, they’re not selling out to private equity, and they’re not just shutting it down ala Grubby Clark. Instead, they’re splitting up the $3 billion company into two different entities: first, the Patagonia Purpose Trust, which owns two percent of the companies shares and ALL the voting rights, and second, 98 percent of the shares (and no voting rights) is going to the Holdfast Collective. The “collective” is a non-profit organization that will distribute Patagonia’s future profits to combat climate change, according to a story in The New York Times.
“Hopefully this will influence a new form of capitalism that doesn’t end up with a few rich people and a bunch of poor people,” Mr. Chouinard, 83, said in an exclusive interview. “We are going to give away the maximum amount of money to people who are actively working on saving this planet.” . . . By giving away the bulk of their assets during their lifetime, the Chouinards — Yvon, his wife Malinda, and their two children, Fletcher and Claire, who are both in their 40s — have established themselves as among the most charitable families in the country.
They’ve also saved themselves a boat load of taxes, but who’s counting. It’s a wonderful thing to do. And they still get to run the company as controllers of the Patagonia Purpose Trust. Win win. For all the details, click the link.
[Link: The New York Times]
by The Editors on August 21, 2022
When France hosts the Olympic Games in 2024 their surfing venue is going to be a short 22 hour plane ride away in French Polynesia a.k.a. Tahiti, home to the monster wave Teahupo’o. Of course you already know this and we just watched the mostly boring contest from there last week. That said, the leaders from the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (including Owen Wright, Stephanie Gilmore, Tony Estanguet, Italo Ferreira and Jean-Philippe Gatien, pictured above) visited Tahiti during the contest to officially check things out. According to the ISA:
The ISA and Paris teams held productive discussions on key elements of the surfing competition in Tahiti and toured core elements of the planned Olympic surfing location. Agenda items for the meetings covered major topics such as the 2024 event format, competition schedule, infrastructure, sustainability, athlete accommodation and broadcast services.
Nice work if you can get it. For the rest of the official details, please follow the jump.
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by The Editors on August 12, 2022
Surfer Imogen Caldwell just dropped her latest capsule collection of sunglasses in collaboration with OTIS Eyewear. Made from certified biodegradable Eco-Acetate frames, the Decades Collection pays tribute to the iconic looks of the 70s, 80s and 90s.
“In this collection we bring you my three favourite frames to date,” says Caldwell about the release. “The Vera, Goldie and Felix represent bold colourways, flattering shapes and a nod to classic style.”
For all the official details, follow the jump.
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