by The Editors on January 17, 2012
In 1997 Burton Snowboards was at the nexus of a storm of rumors. The rumors were so pervasive that some clever instigator at the company created an extremely limited edition T-shirt for the 1997 SIA Trade Show in Las Vegas. The shirt jokingly outlined all the outlandish, outrageous things people were saying about the company that season.
Now, 15 years later, we thought it might be interesting to revisit the T-shirt that set out to sarcastically dispel the rumors and see how many of them eventually came true. Follow the jump for the complete rumor breakdown.
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by The Editors on December 7, 2011
Spy Optic president Michael Marckx continues on his march to reposition the company in a more forward facing directly. Yesterday afternoon he announced the hiring of from Patagonia Surf Shop instigator Devon Howard as marketing director for the company.
“Devon has deep California lifestyle roots, operational know-how, marketing savvy and meaningful relationships in our industry, which he has nurtured over his career,” says Marckx. “He is also really well liked and connected on so many levels, and not just in the surf world, but across the subcultures that make up our west coast lifestyle. I’ve seen Devon do great work on every level, smartly, with other good people. His unique blend of talents will unquestionably enhance our brand in myriad ways and help give shape to the new version of SPY he will help create with us.
For a little outside view on how this new version of Spy is being funded check out Jeff Harbaugh’s recent Market Watch column on Orange 21’s quarterly results. And to get more on Mr. Howard, follow the jump for the official word from Spy. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 14, 2011
Sometimes the whole “action sports timepiece” thing can get a little trite. Brightly colored plastic, tide charts, shrill digital alarms, you know the drill. That’s probably why this new exclusive collection of limited edition Nixon watches from Barneys New York are so damn refreshing. Just look at them. Handsome, refined, classic, and yes, expensivo. The Automatic Chronograph on the left half of the photo retails for a cool $4,750.00. Luxury, indeed. The one on the right is only $550, but then it’s the cheap one, isn’t it?
Follow the jump for more infos. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 15, 2011
Taxas Department of Public Safety Trooper Justin Stohler reportedly hit and killed a 14-year-old boy with his patrol car early Wednesday morning (September 14, 2011), according to a story on Chron.com.
Investigators say a Central Texas boy who died after being struck by a Texas trooper’s vehicle had been on a skateboard. . . College Station police say 14-year-old Mark Harding Jr. died following the accident around 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Our thoughts are with Harding’s family and friends.
[Link: Chron.com]
by The Editors on June 15, 2011
Pat Doyle, 53, an allegedly drunk PR representative for the city of Brick Township, New Jersey (and former hockey coach), is now being charged with “with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, making an unsafe lane change and driving an unregistered vehicle” after mowing down and killing 19-year-old skateboarder Anthony Briffa (pictured right) on May 10, 2011 in a head-on collision, according to a story in Asbury Park Press.
Doyle was headed southbound on Jordan Road and attempting to pass another vehicle and entered the northbound lane, where authorities believe the teen was in the lane of travel, near the shoulder, when he was struck, investigators said at the time of the incident.
What, no vehicular manslaughter? Our thoughts are with Briffa’s family and friends. And we hope Doyle gets a proper punishment if he indeed is guilty.
[Link: Asbury Park Press]
by The Editors on May 19, 2011
Aside from waves at were all over the place at the 2011 Billabong Pro Rio today, Round 3 was what message boards were built for. From the first heat when Taj Burrow turned past a barrel hogging Cory Lopez, to Bobby Martinez backside airing past Kelly Slater’s barrel, and Josh Kerr boosting past Jordy Smith it was the day of fallen favorites and derogatory discussions about the venue, the scoring, and the waves.
Comments on the event website’s heats on demand were especially telling. Of the Burrow vs. Lopez heat one commenter said:
“Bullshit! Lopez’s tube rides are worth more than Burrows turns…”
One industry head we spoke to today didn’t like the results of the Matinez vs. Slater heat much, either:
I can’t believe Bobby’s no turn, one air scored better than Kelly’s long barrel,” he said. “Bobby was clearly over-scored and Kelly underscored.”
But the comment that most perfectly reflected what many have been thinking all week was posted by Andy Bragwin:
Barrels vs turns aside, why are the world’s best surfers competing for half a million dollars in prizes and the WCT trophy in three-foot, onshore slop? Why are we debating scores on two turn waves? Brazil is not a world class surf destination. South America has many world class waves, just not in Brazil. Sure the big crowds enable the big money, but it’s making the sport look pretty boring.
And, it’s hard to argue with that. For the official word, and results, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on March 24, 2011
We don’t follow the Dew Tour in general so we’re not really sure what any of these announcements mean, other that to say that it would appear that the courses are getting better with concrete and that there will be a bowl, all to be allegedly built by California Skateparks. And we know they do good work.
Here are the dates:
Dew Tour at Ocean City July 21-24 Ocean City, Md. – Ocean City Pier
Dew Tour at Portland Aug. 11-14 Portland, Ore. – Rose Quarter
Toyota Challenge Sept. 8-11 Salt Lake City, Utah – EnergySolutions Arena
Dew Tour Championships Oct. 13-16 Las Vegas, Nev.
Wonder if it still tickles your innards? [click to continue…]
by The Editors on March 7, 2011
An 18-year-old skateboarder from West Travis County, Texas died Saturday afternoon (March 5, 2011) after he fell while skateboard towing, according to a story on KXAN.com.
A spokesman with the sheriff’s office says the incident happened shortly after 1:30 p.m. in the 4900 block of Cypress Ranch Boulevard. Investigators say the teen was holding onto the back of a truck while riding his skateboard uphill when he somehow lost control and fell.
The skateboarder was flown to University Medical Center Brackenridge where he was pronounced dead. Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends.
[Link: KXAN.com]
by The Editors on December 2, 2010
It is that time of year again. For those wondering why no on in the skateboard industry is returning their emails or getting that stuff that promised out, it’s because they’re all at the Skate Park of Tampa for what has become one of the most important contests in skateboarding—the 17th Annual Tampa Am (December 2-5, 2010).
We were planning on watching the event online live, but it would appear that we’re out of luck, according to post on the SPoT website but there will be “tape delay” coverage.
Fuel TV that usually does the live webcast had some budget cuts and can’t do it this year. Colin Clark, Joe Pelham, and I [Rob Meronek] are all going to not go straight to the bar right after the Contest each night and instead go straight to our offices to put together the video coverage and photos from the day to post right away on the site. Sounds like just the thing you’d want to do after already working a 12 hour day. I’ll take it, though. I appreciate every minute of this good time that counts as hard work. After that, we will go to the bar. Thanks for checking out the site and Tampa Am this week..
So tune in to the Skate Park of Tampa website each evening for the latest updates from the event and follow the jump for the full event schedule.
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by The Editors on October 18, 2010
A man wanted in the Edmonton, Alberta homicide of a 20-year-old man apparently ran right out of his DC Shoes and RDS hat as he fled the scene, according to a story on Canoe.com.
Investigators late Friday released photos of the distinctive DC shoes and RDS ballcap found near 15908 98 St., hoping someone who knows the killer will recognized the items and contact police. . . The victim — Scott Shane Brown, 20 — identified by police on Friday, was on the lam in 2008 for parole violations and has a rap sheet that includes Fort McMurray gun crimes as well as a home invasion.
Brown was Edmonton’s 21 homicide of the year. Red Dragons.
[Link: Canoe.com]
In 1997 Burton Snowboards was at the nexus of a storm of rumors. The rumors were so pervasive that some clever instigator at the company created an extremely limited edition T-shirt for the 1997 SIA Trade Show in Las Vegas. The shirt jokingly outlined all the outlandish, outrageous things people were saying about the company that season.
