Former Australian Junior Surfing Champion Peter Drouyn (who we mentioned in September 2008) never felt like a “real boy or man” according to a Samantha Turnbull story on Goldcoast.com.au. Now, as Westerly Windina, the creator of the Stubbies Classic at Burleigh Head and the inventor of the “man-on-man” surf contest format talks about how becoming a woman has finally put her at peace.
Mr Drouyn no longer exists. In his place is Tweed Heads transsexual lawyer Westerly Windina who says Mr Drouyn was never a real boy or man. . . “I’d always had a deep suspicion something wasn’t right,” said Ms Windina. . . “I was always an emotional butterfly, very sensitive. My mum put high heels on me and painted my nails as a child and I was in awe of her beauty and glamour, I wanted to be like her.
While Volcom may have beaten analysts estimates in Q2 the company’s Q3 outlook is what has pulled the stock down nearly 9% this morning. And thanks to Volcom’s forecasted 65% drop in PacSun business Wedbush Morgan has downgraded the stock from Neutral to Underperform, according to a story on StreetInsider.com.
Wedbush Morgan cut 2009 EPS estimates to $0.60 from $0.81, 2010 to $0.59 to $0.93 and lowered its price target to $8 from $12. The firm said the significant decline in PacSun biz due to fundamental changes will not likely reverse when the consumer improves.
Yesterday, Skatedaily.net pointed out a blog post on FreakBeatFuzz regarding Philadelphia-based R.E.Load bag company apparently ripping off skate art from Jim Phillips/Santa Cruz, Hosoi, VCJ/Powell Peralta, and Alien Workshop and selling it on their $200 bike messenger bags.
Thanks to the efforts of the skate community, R.E.Load has pulled the bags and written this letter of apology posted on Skatedaily.net.
Blackcomb Mountain was evacuated yesterday at 3 PM after a lightening strike started a forest fire that has grown to 75 hectares in size, according to a story in The Province.
The fire was sparked by lightning yesterday night at Crystal Ridge near Crystal Hut and the Crystal chairlift, said Ellie Dupont, coastal fire information officer. . . “Anytime there is a slope or a wind, it grows faster,” she explained. She was unsure of how the winds are moving on the mountain. . . . “At this point, forest service helicopters are dropping buckets of water and water bombs are en route,” said Alex Halbert, spokesperson for Whistler Blackcomb.
Blackcomb Mountain is completely closed today (July 31, 2009).
Yesterday we linked to a completely erroneous story on a European website involving Salomon and Bonfire’s parent company Amer Sports. Maarit Mikkonen, Communications Manager, for Amer Sports was kind enough to set us straight.
Amer Sports Corporate headquarters is not moving from Finland to Germany. Amer Sports operations in Germany are moving under one roof.
We apologize for unknowingly promoting incorrect information on the site.
Volcom reportedly their Q2 2009 financial results today and things weren’t that great, according to the press release on Fox Business.
For the 2009 second quarter, total consolidated revenues were $54.2 million compared with $72.5 million in the second quarter of 2008. . . Total revenues in the company’s U.S. segment, which includes revenues from the U.S., Canada, Japan and most other international territories outside of Europe, as well as the company’s branded retail stores, were $43.6 million compared with $60.2 million in the prior-year period.
Wooly did what he could with the spin.
“Despite the continued macro economic challenges in the second quarter, our focus and drive to maintain the strength of the Volcom brand is resolute and propelled by our high quality and innovative products,” said Richard Woolcott, Volcom’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Our global presence is stronger than ever, and that, coupled with the sound management of our balance sheet, uniquely provides us with the solid foundation to position our company as a leader in the action sports industry.”
Still, the company has no “significant debt” and around $96.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. And the really great news: analysts were expecting a $.02 per share loss and the company came in at a $0.04 cents per share profits, according to Reuters. So they have that going for them.
In Portland, skateboarding has been woven into parks and streets in the same manner as cycling or soccer. Skateboarding is illegal in downtowns across the country. Portland’s downtown is marked with “skate routes” featuring signs with a skateboarding stick figure. In most cities, skaters consider it a big victory when a skatepark is built. Portland is building a network of 19 skateparks scattered throughout the city. Skaters even have one of their own in City Hall: Tom Miller, chief of staff to Portland Mayor Sam Adams, rode into politics through skateboard advocacy and has continued pushing for skateparks from the inside.
It’s a nice reminder that with the right kind of involvement from skateboarders some cities can do the right thing. Now, if only the same thing could happen everywhere else in the world.
If you see one documentary film this year, maybe it should be The Cove.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, The Cove follows a high-tech dive team on a mission to discover the truth about the international dolphin capture trade as practiced in Taiji, Japan. Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide.
The Australian press is really biting into the Kelly Slater vs. The ASP Tour story. Today, The Australian surf writer Fred Pawle digs in a little deeper into the breakaway group involving the nine-time world champion, his manager Terry Hardy, Quiksilver’s Bob McKnight, and former American boxing promoter Matt Tinley, as well as their “in-principle” agreement with ESPN.
ASP chief executive Brodie Carr waited three weeks before he could get a meeting with Hardy, which happened this week in Los Angeles. Carr is not saying what was discussed but one rumour in the surfing world suggests Hardy was bullish about his ability to steal the sport away from the ASP. Other sources say the rebels have employed a team of lawyers to head off any legal challenge from the ASP. . . Neither Hardy nor Quiksilver International in the US are prepared to comment on the new tour or on rumours that McKnight and Slater have invested heavily in the breakaway group, saying a press release will be issued soon.
Read the rest of the story. It has the potential to keep all of us entertained for quite some time.
Regis Roland, visionary founder of the original Apocalypse Snow films and brand, put his French snowboard/freeski company Apo Snow “into administration protection” on July 6, 2009, according to an interview on Board Sports Source. Here’s some of what he had to say about it.
I think everybody has noticed that the financial crisis has hit companies badly and it has unfortunately hit my company at the wrong time. Indeed, in the past 5 years, we have been investing in costly innovative projects such as our patented bindings, (Our Dual Entry System) and more recently our new ski range. . .The returns have been decent, but as an independent brand, we do not have the financial clout to support such a large investment without the backing of a strong financial group or the support of our banks.
Roland says the company is “not dead,” production of the 2009/10 has been launched, and he is currently looking for a private investor to make the company stronger.
Former Australian Junior Surfing Champion Peter Drouyn (who we mentioned in September 2008) never felt like a “real boy or man” according to a Samantha Turnbull story on Goldcoast.com.au. Now, as Westerly Windina, the creator of the Stubbies Classic at Burleigh Head and the inventor of the “man-on-man” surf contest format talks about how becoming a woman has finally put her at peace.
