by The Editors on January 24, 2009
As if all the rumors we’re enough, Quiksilver was just cited by the US Department of Labor (along with six other stores) for having teenagers “operating machines that could hurt them” in The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, according to a story in the Sun Sentinel.
In all, investigators found 50 teenagers whose jobs included working with trash compactors, paper balers and similar equipment — violations of the youth employment portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Department of Labor said. Paper balers help bundle used cardboard boxes for disposal or recycling. The machinery is considered hazardous; the law bars those under 18 from operating it. . . The seven stores cited face civil penalties with a combined total of $53,271.
Government regulations are going to kill us all, aren’t they John Galt?
[Link: Sun Sentinel]
by The Editors on January 24, 2009
by The Editors on January 24, 2009
by The Editors on January 23, 2009

When we’re gaming it’s always nice to see a friendly face. . . and a SkateDaily T-shirt. But where is the push cart full of cameras?
[Link: Bryce Kanights]
by The Editors on January 23, 2009
The San Diego Union-Tribune is holding no punches in its coverage of the January 2009 ASR Show.
In a story filled with words like “struggling” and “tough” and “worst” writer Jennifer Davies talked to many industry players and got nothing but bad news from nearly everyone.
“There is no immunity idol on this island,” said Doug Palladini, vice president of marketing at Vans, referring to the “Survivor” television show. “It can happen to anybody.”
Doug is always so poetic, isn’t he? ASR spokesperson Lora Bodmer on the other hand was alone with her glimmer of positivity. “We looked out over the show and said, ‘Hey, this isn’t so bad,’ ” she said.
And that’s kind of what we thought at first, but after walking the isles on day one and seeing that zombie “God, I hope I don’t get fired tomorrow” look in everyone’s eyes we’re not so sure anymore. While watching toilet seat tossing at the Vee-Haw Volcom booth we couldn’t help but think of them as a bunch of oblivious Hillbillies fiddling away on their out-of-tune banjos while flames licked at the cuffs of their overalls.
[Link: San Deigo Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on January 23, 2009
Stacy Peralta’s new documentary Crips And Bloods: Made In America is finally making it into theaters this weekend and we’re guessing it’s going to make us completely forget about the commercials he’s been doing lately. Here’s what the New York Times said:
Mr. Peralta, who was on far firmer ground in his documentary about the origins of the modern skateboard culture, “Dogtown and Z-Boys,” has approached his new subject with heart but not enough intellectual skepticism.
If the other reviews we’ve been reading hearing lately are correct, this film is going to blow minds.
[Link: The New York Times]
by The Editors on January 23, 2009
Billabong newest retail outpost is in the Singapore Changi Airport’s terminal three in partnership with Travel retailer Lagardère Services Asia Pacific, according to a story on DFNIonline.com. Jason Neely, Billabong’s retail ops manager had this to say:
Billabong is focused on building its presence in Asia and the opening in Singapore of the world’s first Billabong airport store illustrates the brand’s commitment to the region. This is a significant move for Billabong so it is comforting to be working with LSAP, one of the world’s leading airport retail operators. We feel the combination of a world leading retailer and a world leading brand will add an exciting new dimension to the Changi airport retail mix.”
People who can afford to fly must have money, right?
[Link: DFNIonline.com]
by The Editors on January 23, 2009

The Captain and Casey’s Chris Casey with the beautiful am babies award presenters. Diapers never looked so good.
We hung out for a little while after the show before “getting the hell out of there.” Photos from some after-show festivities including the Grind For Life High Ollie Contest and The Am Awards after the jump.
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by The Editors on January 23, 2009

The New York Times Hawai’i specialist Matt Higgins turns in another story on how a group of tough surfers control the waves on Hawai’i’s North Shore with Kala Alexander as the center piece. Surprise!
They are known as the Wolfpak or simply “the boys.” They use fear and their fists to command respect in the surf along the North Shore of Oahu, a seven-mile stretch of some of the world’s most renowned waves. At the celebrated Banzai Pipeline, they determine which waves go to whom, and punish those who breach their code of respect for local residents and the waves.
While there is nothing new in this story it may help build more subscribers to Kala’s E-Newsletter and possibly create more interest in the soon-to-be-launched Wolf Pak fan club.
[Link: The New York Times]
by The Editors on January 22, 2009

We’re not saying that this is all of the January ASR Show, but it certainly is most of it. The space felt really small, but the mood was actually up considering the economy. It may not look like it, but there were quite a few people in the isles.
Follow the jump to view more photos from the floor the morning of day one.
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