by The Editors on March 18, 2008
We were just looking over the list of photographers who made the finals at this year’s Telus Pro Photo Shootout and realized that we only know one of them: Frode Sandbech (probably because the rest of them shooting skiing).
Without seeing any photos from the others we’re going to call it right now: Frode will win the contest because he is a photographic monster truck and his competitors are stacks of junked cars. Remind us if we’re wrong.
[Link: Skipressworld.com]
by The Editors on March 16, 2008
Featured as the “athlete of the week” on Gay.com a guy known only as “Romeo0011” is encouraging all his homosexual friends to jump on board:
My suggestion to my fellow gay athletes is to turn in your softball gloves, volleyballs and rugby balls and try the extreme sport of snowboarding. There is nothing like the rush of coming down the mountain full force with snow falling from the sky and the feeling of being free and alive.”
Ah, yeah. . . but don’t try surfing because it has some kind of anti-gay force field.
[Link: Gay.com]
by The Editors on March 13, 2008
Amplid, the Euro snowboard and freeski company (God we hate it when companies try to do both) co-founded by former snowboard racer Peter Bauer is opening a “North American headquarter” in Mt. Hood, Oregon.
Amplid co-founder and former snowboard world champion Peter Bauer stated. “At the same time being also based in North America will have a huge impact on the brand building for Amplid as a global brand.” Brian Sites will be responsible for all sales- and operations-related tasks. Brandon Pastucka will take over marketing and team management. Tom Wallisch, Alex Martini, Steve Stepp and Seth Hill joined the global team. “The dynamic and creative environment here at Mt. Hood is a perfect seedbed for innovations both on the marketing side as well as on the technological one”, said Brian Sites who is looking forward to establish Amplid in his home market.
It just a shame about the skis.
[Link: Boardsport Source]
by The Editors on March 12, 2008
Bob “Bubba” Haught made waves in the Colorado’s Summit County back in the late 70s because he was Snurfing all over the place. This caused him to be featured in The Rocky Mountain News on March 9, 1978 in a story titled “Snow surfer a curiosity in mountain community.”
“Apparently they didn’t think it was a real sport so they were all excited when they found me,” Haught said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if I was the first person to get interviewed about snowboarding west of the Mississippi.”
We guess that all depends on what constitutes an interview. Winterstick founder Dimitrije Milovich was featured in a story in the March 1975 issue of Newsweek and that probably has a larger circulation than the Rocky Mountain News. But, hey, Bubba who’s really keeping track of this stuff. Happy 30th story day.
[Link: Vail Daily]
by The Editors on March 11, 2008
According to the SnowSports Industries of America the SnowSports Industry is booming. Well of course it is. . . it snowed. As an old industry head once said: “We’re just snow farmers. When it snows we’re all geniuses and when it doesn’t snow, we blame the weather.”
For all the details from their recent press release, follow the jump.
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by The Editors on March 7, 2008
Quiksilver has not been having a great first quarter. Though their total revenue is up 14% over first quarter 2007, they are down nearly $20 million in profits compared to last year:
Consolidated income from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was a loss of $14.7 million, or $0.12 per share, compared to income of $6.8 million, or $0.05 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2007. . . . Robert B. McKnight, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Quiksilver, Inc., commented, “Although we are not satisfied with our financial results in general, we are pleased that our core apparel and footwear operations enabled us to partially offset the more difficult than expected results from our wintersports equipment business. As we go forward, we are energized to regain focus on our core opportunities. We are executing a variety of strategies to improve our gross margin, reduce our expense levels and generate cash flow to repay our indebtedness. We are resolved to continue to pursue strategic transactions to reduce or eliminate our exposure to our wintersports equipment business.”
[Link: MarketWatch.com]
by The Editors on March 6, 2008
Shred or Die is a blown out user generated content site anchored by “celebrity” skateboarder Tony Hawk and funded by Will Ferrel and his Funny or Die friends. Enough said. Full press release after the jump.
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by The Editors on March 6, 2008
by The Editors on March 6, 2008
For a guy who has been way too-nice for his own good, we’re happy Chuck Barfoot is celebrating 30 year of Barfoot Snowboards. Ethan Stewart spins up an extremely cools story for the Santa Barbara Independent.
In a turn of synchronicity lost on all but the most well-versed snowboarding historians, this snowy start to 2008 was a downright poetic omen for those who know and love Chuck Barfoot. Often overlooked by the history books, repeatedly finding himself on the wrong end of busted-up business deals, and a lifelong devotee of the ride — be it by land, sea, or snow — this snow-blessed 2008 (a recent excursion found a nearly 10-foot base up Mt. Pinos way) also marks the 30th anniversary for the Santa Barbara-born Barfoot Snowboard Company — the unsung, callused hero of a snow-sliding revolution.
We haven’t forgotten you Chuck, Happy 30th. You know this just means your baby is just moving into her prime. . . right? How about an update of that old Jon Boyer Pro Model?
[Link: The Santa Barbara Independent]
by The Editors on March 6, 2008
After announcing that it’s same-store sales in February fell 2.6 percent (which doesn’t sound like a whole lot to us) Zumiez stock took a 14% plunge this morning.
The Everett company (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) said total sales increased last month to $23.1 million from $20.7 million. . . . Analysts were expecting February same-store sales to grow by 1.4 percent to 2 percent so the decline caught some by surprise. Sara Hasan at McAdams Wright Ragen in Seattle lowered her 2008 fiscal year earnings estimate from 97 cents to 92 cents, but she kept a “buy” rating on the stock.
This on the same day that Pacific Sunwear announced that it’s total sales for February increased seven percent and same-store sales for the month increased six percent. Hmmm. . .
[Link: Puget Sound Business Journal]
We were just looking over the list of photographers who made the finals at this year’s Telus Pro Photo Shootout and realized that we only know one of them: Frode Sandbech (probably because the rest of them shooting skiing). 
