by The Editors on September 24, 2012
When Mick Fanning mentioned (on Twitter) that he thought a new cruise ship terminal on the Goldie would cause “mass impact to the marine life, waves and lifestyle on the Gold Coast” mayor Tom Tate said he would “listen to the people that matter,” according to a story on Goldcoast.com.au.
But obviously, Mayor Tom didn’t know he was messing with the whole tribe.
Gold Coast surfing champions Mark Richardson and Andrew McKinnon have lashed out. . . Mr Richardson, a former Australian champion, scoffed at Cr Tate’s claims that he would find other high-profile surfers to back plans for a Gold Coast terminal. . . “I don’t think you’ll find any surfers that will be on Tom Tate’s side about that,” he said. . . “Every surfer will be standing behind Mick Fanning, you can pretty much guarantee that. I can’t believe those comments. It’s absolutely ludicrous.” . . . Mr Richardson said his brother-in-law and fellow champion surfer Joel Parkinson would back Fanning. . . “We think it’s a joke. Mr Tate is underestimating surfers’ value.”
Looks like this discussion is going to be rolling on for a while.
[Link: Goldcoast.com.au]
by The Editors on September 24, 2012
For the 3rd year in a row Lincoln City, Oregon prepares for its entry in the Big Wave World Tour surfing event with the 8th Annual Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic.
The premier big wave contest in the Pacific Northwest begins its waiting period October 1st and will be called with 72 hours notice when a minimum 30′ swell with favorable conditions is forecasted. Surfline is the official forecaster for the NRBWC and will be supplying detailed swell data and forecasting tools for Event Director, John Forse. . . Entering its third year as stop #3 on the Big Wave World Tour, the best big wave surfers from around the world will make their way to Lincoln City, Oregon when the green light is given. The 2010 Nelscott Reef contest was held in pristine 40+foot surf in what some call the biggest waves ever paddled into during a contest. Kohl Christensen, a last minute dark horse from Hawaii, came away with the win after a tightly contested final.
For the official word, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 20, 2012
In a showdown at the Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles, Kelly Slater took advantage of Joel Parkinson missing a wave to grab his 50th ASP WCT Tour event 16.5 to 14 and moves into more serious contention for his 12th WCT World Title.
Slater was extremely happy about his win especially after what he felt was a pretty rough week at Trestles.
“I felt like I’ve had so many good years at Lowers I feel like the pressure is really on to at least make the final,” Slater said. “It’s cool the 50th one here. I won my first event as a pro here and it feels like a nice wrap up for me here.”
Follow the jump for the complete finals waves scores and official word from the ASP. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 19, 2012
Andrew Warren, a post-doctoral researcher in economic geography at the University of Wollongong and Chris Gibson, a professor of Human Geography at the UofW are apparently writing a book on the surf industry. When the news came out Ripcurl is hoping to join the sell-out crew, the to academics decided it was the perfect time to promote their new book, Surfing Places, Surfboard Makers: Craft, Creativity and Cultural Heritage in Hawai’i, California and Australia (University of Hawai’i Press), with a web post titled, All washed up: have surf megabrands forgotten their roots? on The Conversation blog.
In the book, Warren and Gibson postulate that there is much more to this than a fashion disaster.
In our new book on the surf industry, to be published next year by University of Hawaii Press, we make the point that, like music, it is a subcultural industry defined by a tension between “major” corporate labels and smaller “independents”. Independent labels have more credibility because they are considered closer to the grassroots of surfing culture. They are often based in specific surf cities and regions – southern California, the Gold Coast, north shore O’ahu – where surf subcultures are strong. . . When brands grow and expand, they take on the character of corporate enterprises.
Nothing we haven’t heard before, but it’s always interesting to read an intelligent discussion of the coming end of surf fashion. Click the link for the rest.
[Link: The Conversation]
by The Editors on September 17, 2012
Well, there goes the surf clothing industry. Rip Curl Group Pty. is now reportedly looking for someone who will trade them A$500 million for the brand, according to a story on Bloomberg Businessweek.
The closely held Australian company has hired Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch unit and is seeking about 10 times its projected A$48 million 2013 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, the person said, asking not to be identified before a public announcement by Rip Curl. Merrill Lynch is assessing “unsolicited approaches” for the company, Rip Curl said in a statement today.
Sound great. It’s such a sellers market in the surf fashion industry right now.
[Link: Bloomberg Businessweek]
by The Editors on September 16, 2012
The 2012 Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles kicked off today (September 16, 2012) with a pretty strong onshore breeze and two- to four-foot waves. By the afternoon, the wind dropped off, the sun blazed, and Yadin Nicol took down the high score of the day with a 17.57 including the day’s highest single wave score of 9.3.
“It’s the first time I’ve won a Round 1 heat this year so it feels good,” Nicol said. “The waves are really fun and I’m just stoked to finally get on an open face. I started off pretty shaky, I slipped on that very first wave. I had a section on that next wave and thought I’d do a little air and Owen (Wright) can get 8s and 9s in his sleep so on that last wave and I was just lucky to get it. This year hasn’t really been too kind to me and it was fun out there.”
To watch any and/or all of the heats from today’s action click here for the Hurley Pro DVR. The surf is supposed to back off tomorrow, but no decision will be announced until tomorrow morning at 9 AM. Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP and complete results from Round 1. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 14, 2012
We’ve all experienced surf, skate, or snowboard films that seem to be in perpetual completion, however, no one has Andy Warhol beat. Forty-four years ago, Warhol filmed San Diego Surf with collaborator Paul Morrissey, in La Jolla, California. This was “just months before” he was shot, according to a story on Artinfo.com. And now, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City is finally premiering the film as part of their 10th Annual film preservation festival.
The Warhol-directed feature, whose loose narrative centers on an acrimonious married couple played by Superstars Taylor Mead and Viva who rent their beach-side home to a group of surfers, was only partially edited at the time. Morrissey was then commissioned by the Andy Warhol Foundation in 1995-96 to finish editing the film, with the help of Foundation curator Dara Meyers-Kingsley.“Even twenty five years after his death Warhol continues to surprise contemporary audiences,” Warhol Museum director Eric Shiner said in the premiere announcement yesterday. “This never-before-seen film expands Warhol’s filmic legacy and demonstrates Warhol’s read on the west coast and its surfing culture.”
We’re guessing it’s going to be an amazing time capsule of a crazy New York artist’s version of the San Diego surf scene. But hey, Tom Wolfe did it, why not Andy? San Diego Surf will be shown for the first time at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on October 16, 2012. MoMA is located at 11 West 53rd Street, New York City.
[Link: Art Info Now]
by The Editors on September 12, 2012
Raen Optics has announced that surfer, explorer, and artist Thom Pringle as joined the company as it’s newest ambassador.
At 20, his creative thrust is perfectly aligned with the RAEN family according to Creative Director and Founder Justin Heit: “Thom’s love of fashion and his authentic perspective fuel a soft-spoken passion for surfing and the creative aesthetic we identify with personally. He’s a perfect fit.”
For the official word from Raen, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 12, 2012
Hey, just noticed there may have been something we missed at Surf Expo (shocking, right?). It was the Stokes Me Surf Contest at Typhoon Lagoon (not featured in the video above). Apparently, the contest raised $13,000 for the Stokes Me Challenge effort to raise money for 10 different SIMA Humanitarian Funds. And that’s good.
“While the Stokes Me Surf Contest proved to be a huge success, the main event is online at stokesME.org and will run next month, October 1-30,” explained SIMA Humanitarian Fund President and Surfline Vice President, Ross Garrett. “Thanks to Surf Expo and Sanuk, who carved out time during their event for our fundraiser, we had some fun, and started to raise some money for our 10 worthy humanitarian beneficiaries.”
Always nice to see the surf industry doing good things for people and partying at the same time. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 10, 2012
In April of 2012 Andy Irons‘ Hanalei Bay beachfront home was reportedly sold for $4.3 million to Larry Wilson II of La Jolla, California, according to a story on Bizjournals.com.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom fee-simple 2,610-square-foot home on 16,408 square feet of land was built in 2003. It originally listed for $4.8 million and was on the market since September 2010 before selling in April.
We’re guessing Mr. Wilson will take good care of the place.
[Link: Bizjournals]
When Mick Fanning mentioned (on Twitter) that he thought a new cruise ship terminal on the Goldie would cause “mass impact to the marine life, waves and lifestyle on the Gold Coast” mayor Tom Tate said he would “listen to the people that matter,” according to a story on Goldcoast.com.au.
