In the race for corporate “efficiencies” Quiksilver is making some pretty big changes.
In addition to COO and Global Brand President Craig Stevenson resigning (he’ll be paid through October 31, 2013), the company is apparently cutting the snowboarding team (but keeping Travis Rice) and cutting the skateboarding team (but keeping Tony Hawk). The Quiksilver surf team has also been reportedly trimmed by several surfers. There are also rumors that Quiksilver Women, the Waterman Collection, the VSTR brand and Dane Reynolds side project Summer Teeth were also set aside.
Over at DC Shoes they’ve cut their entire BMX team and their surf team. There is also mention of auto (and co-founder Ken Block himself) being cut as well. As one surf industry stalwart ironically put it, “Can’t wait until the same thing happens at Billabong.”
One thing to remember: Hollisterdoesn’t spend a dime on “core teams” and they don’t seem to be having any problem in the “So Cal inspired clothing for Dudes and Bettys” space. Still no official word from Quik, but then again, their information distribution department never has been very effective. We’ll let you know if and when anyone shares any information on what is obviously a very bad day for action sports athletes, media, and the industry in general.
[Editors Note: The details in this post have been in flux all day thanks to various sources adding and subtracting details. So far, no replies to emails sent to Quiksilver corporate PR and other contacts.]
Graphic, print and color direction inspired by the …Lost Surfboard Factory, these one of a kind, hand-laminated resin designs transform into individual looks for spring 2013. Spanning all categories, including knits, board shorts, wovens and T-shirts, the collection retails for $22 – $49.50 and is available at a retailers near you.
British surfer Steve King, 48, has apparently set a new world record for “riding a continuous wave for 12.8 miles,” according to a post on SWNS.com.
He set the new record on the remote Kampar River in Sumatra, Indonesia, where a natural tidal phenomenon known as the ‘Bono’ pushes a 10ft wave upstream. . . The renowned bore rider smashed his own previous record for the longest single wave surf of 7.6 miles, which he set in front of 6,000 spectators on the River Severn in 2006. . . And despite the deadly animals and tiring work, he still had the energy and composure to perform a headstand during the record-breaking performance.
It should be noted that the Kampar River is also what is described as a “crocodile-infested,” which may be what kept King on the wave for so long.
Makua Rothman got to drag Rihanna around on the back of his Kawasaki watercraft recently. Apparently, Rihanna likes “jet skis” according to the Daily Mail.
The Diamonds In The Sky star showed off her bikini body as she indulged in her favourite pastime, jet-skiing, with pro surfer Makua Rothman. . .The pop star was seen holding onto the back of a jet-ski as Rothman sped around the Hawaiian waters. . . Wearing a rash vest, orange and pink bikini bottoms, and a life vest, Rihanna beamed as she went on the wild ride.
Not bad work if you can get it. For the reverse angle, follow the jump.
The contest window for The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau officially closes for the 2013 season on Thursday, February 28, 2013 and (barring a really big meteor hit in the Pacific) it would appear that there are no swells on the horizon and the contest will likely not happen. But that’s okay, according to Quiksilver. According to Contest Director George Downing:
“Even though waves may get bigger in other parts of the world, the fact that Waimea is such an incredible venue for both the surfer and the spectator make it an impossible place to replicate,” said Downing, who has witnessed every major day of surfing at Waimea. . . “It’s the natural home of big wave surfing. It’s the original big wave event that paved the way for all others. It’s the place that Eddie loved and where he worked and played. Even though big waves may be found elsewhere, they can never be Waimea. This is an event about integrity and honor.”
Australian surfer Owen Wright (as if you didn’t know) now has his own pair of signature sunnies from Dragon: the Owen Wright Remix. Here’s what Dragon says about it:
Capturing the luminous colors of a desert sunrise, these shades tell a much-loved story of Owen’s camping jaunts with his mates – driving 12 hours to the middle of nowhere in the search of that perfect left hander. The intricate arm detailing unique to Dragon brings to life Owen’s desert-dwelling alter ego, seldom seen outside of the deep Australian wilderness.
And they probably dull the suns bright glare a little, too.
In the first episode of the second season of the Alana BlanchardAssSurfer Girl show, Amen Teter (Alana’s agent, Hannah’s brother) calls to let Alana know she’s been invited to do a photo shoot in Las Vegas for the “the most viewed magazine on this planet.” Watch the video for the rest.
Those who thought the US Open of Surfing would simply drift on into oblivion following Nike Inc.’s withdrawal from Huntington Beach, California are sorely mistaken. Vans announced today (February 7, 2013) that it has signed a three-year partnership with IMC to be the title sponsor of the world’s largest surfing event.
“Vans and IMG have been partners for the better part of two decades. Being able to continue this relationship via such an iconic platform, in our own backyard, is simply a perfect fit,” says Doug Palladini, Vans’ Vice President of Marketing. “We are really looking forward to bringing the entire surf and skate industry back to the US Open, leading by working with all of our peers, and inspiring a whole new generation of action sports fans. As we continue to grow our role in surfing, the US Open and the City of Huntington Beach afford us one of youth culture’s most powerful events to share our spirit of Off the Wall with millions of people. ”
Looks like the US Open of Surfing is in good hands. The event runs July 20 – 28, 2013 in Huntington Beach, California. For the official word from Vans, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Brazilian wonder surfer Gabriel Medina will now be representing Oakley.
“We’re very excited to add Gabriel Medina to our elite Global surf team. We’re big fans of his surfing and what Gabriel has accomplished in the sport. Between his aggressive approach to aerial innovation and his passion for competition, we believe that he is a perfect fit for the Oakley family,” said Patrick McIlvain, Oakley VP Global Sports Marketing. “Adding Gabriel’s name to a team that already includes the likes of Julian Wilson, Bruce Irons, Jordy Smith, Kolohe Andino, Seabass and more, we believe we’ve got one of the most dynamic teams in the industry. We can’t wait to see what will come from these guys in 2013 and beyond.”
And it figures. What else were they going to do with all that money they had left over after cutting Lance Armstrong. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
He was in a car when a man swerved to purposely hit a roadside worker, then he saved a woman’s life by using his hatchet to hack the same man, but the best part of all of this is the Kai is “straight out of Dogtown.” And he describes being involved in the whole encounter as like “surfing the biggest wave of my life.” Just watch it (if you haven’t already seen it a million times) and turn up the volume.
In the race for corporate “efficiencies” Quiksilver is making some pretty big changes.
