The developers of NLand Surf Park in Austin, Texas aren’t going to let the financial deaths of roller skating rinks, pay-to-skate skateboard parks, nor indoor ski domes slow down their plans to get the hordes on board with the grand opening of what they are calling the “America’s first surf park,” on October 7, 2016.
“This is an historic moment for surfers around the globe as our second Wavegarden facility is launched. Together, we have scaled this project to a level never before seen,” Wavegarden CEO Josema Odriozola said. “The NLand Training Center is a state-of-the-art surf school with a talented staff of surf coaches from around the world who offer accelerated training for surfers of all levels.”
For now they’ve gotten around a series of ordinances regarding water quality and filtering (according to a story in the Houston Chronicle) and all they have to do is get people to come surf. That may be the tough part because like it or not surfing is hard. Luckily, the park was built by Coors brewing heir Doug Coors.
Current rates to surf the “reef” waves are one hour for $90. Pretty cheap when compared to a trip to Tavarua. Mabye Mr. Coors has something here. Wonder what the “birthday party” package costs? It’s gotta be better than a trampline park, right? For the official word from Nland Surf, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
A 29-year-old surfer was hit by a shark while surfing Indian Beach at Ecola State Park on the Oregon coast on Monday, October 10, 2016, according to story on Fox News.
The animal bit 29-year-old Joseph Tanner on his upper and lower thigh, investigators said. Tanner had been surfing along Indian Beach at Ecola State Park at around 4 p.m. when the attack unfolded. . . He told emergency personnel that the shark was “medium-big” and thought it could’ve been a great white shark but said he wasn’t sure, according to KGW-TV. The shark pulled him off of his surfboard and he swam to shore, police said.
Tanner, who works as a trauma nurse, was able to direct his own first aid with the help of others on the scene. He was stabilized and then flown to a Portland hospital with what were described as serious injuries.
Ok, let’s see if we can get all this Pro France surfing event news right. Here goes: Hawaii’s Keanu Asing won his first championship tour event, by defeating Gabriel Medina in the men’s final. Carissa Moore defeated Tyler Wright on the women’s side, however, Wright’s second place finish means she her first world title clinched.
“A lot has gone into this, a lot of hours and a lot of moments,” said Wright. “There are a lot of reasons why I set out the win this World Title this year and a lot of reasons that I did not mention to the public. Last year was such a hectic year — I lost an uncle and this was the last event that he ever saw me compete in. A lot of emotional moments, but pretty much from that moment I promised him that I would win a World Title and I did.
Oh, and 2 John Florence is still in the lead on the men’s world tour. For the rest of the details, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Jamie Foy, Zion Wright, Robbie Brockel, Tyson Bowerbank, Jack Olson and Corey Millett on the road from Denver to Salt Lake City. There’s a lot between those two towns and Thunder Trucks is gonna show us.
Santa Cruz, California based surfboard shaper Nick Palandrani won the Boardroom Icons of Foam Tribute to the Masters Shape-off presented by US Blanks in Santa Cruz on October 9, 2016. Six shapers competed to create the best John Mel Freeline Design keel fish model surfboard.
“I’m super stoked,” said Palandrani. “The other shapers crafted gorgeous fishes and it was very inspiring to watch their techniques and approaches. I want to thank John Mel for his decades of service to the surf industry here in Santa Cruz and for his early years in San Diego and Hawaii. This board was a challenge, and with everybody watching you. Wow, it makes the process tough but very enjoyable.”
Palandrani walked with a $1,000 prize and his named added to the Mike marshall Perpetual Trophy. For the official word from The Boardroom International Surfboard Show, please follow the jump.
Yes, the Brian Anderson is gay story that started out on Vice, then lit up the New York Times is now on Playboy thanks to an interview with BA by Rob Brink. And don’t worry — Playboy don’t do nudes no more.
Holden is proud to announce the addition of Frederik Kalbermatten to the Holden Explorers team. Known for his clean style and all-mountain riding skills, Fredi is a living snowboard legend and a resident local at the SAAS Fe resort in the Swiss Alps.
“There are just a few snowboarders that combine amazing style, power and finesse in the history of snowboarding, and Fredi is one of them.” said Holden co-founder Mikey LeBlanc. “I have been watching Fredi ride for years, and he’s always been on my short list of all-time favorite riders.”
For even more of the official word from Holden, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
In an announcement today (October 4, 2016) Newell Brands stated that as part of their plans to reportedly “sharpen strategic focus for accelerated growth” they are putting their winter sports businesses up for sale. What are these winter sports businesses? Well, K2 Sports is one of them. You know, K2 Snowboards, Ride Snowboards, Morrow Snowboards, and 5150.
The businesses held for sale represent about 10 percent of the portfolio and include the vast majority of the Tools Segment, the Winter Sports businesses within the Outdoor Solutions Segment, the Heaters, Humidifiers, and Fans businesses within the Consumer Solutions Segment, and the Consumer Storage Container business within the Home Solutions Segment.
Newell hopes to have them all sold by early 2017. Anyone? Maybe they’d make a deal for someone who wants to grab humidifiers, fans, and a few snowboard brands? For the complete press release, please follow the jump.
Few things make you feel older than watching a Preparation H commercial inspired by an early 2000s Jackass skit euphemizing all the things that can be found in a town named like a butt. Watch the new version (above) in Kiester, Minnesota and one of several original versions done by the Jackass crew in Mianus, Connecticut (below).
Reminds us of an old advertising agency slogan: why create when you can regurgitate.
Morro Bay Skateboard Museum owner Jack Smith, 59, has called off his “ride an electric skateboard across America” fundraising effort after rolling through only two states in seven days, according to a story the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Jack Smith had planned to become the first person to ride an electric skateboard across the country, when he left on his trip two weeks ago from Florence, Oregon. . . After traveling for seven days, however, he ended his journey on Sept. 21 in Mountain Home, Idaho, about 45 miles from Boise, out of fear he might be hit by a passing vehicle.
Don’t think it would have taken us seven days on the road to figure that out, but then we haven’t skateboarded across the country four times like Smith has.
Santa Cruz, California based surfboard shaper Nick Palandrani won the Boardroom Icons of Foam Tribute to the Masters Shape-off presented by US Blanks in Santa Cruz on October 9, 2016. Six shapers competed to create the best John Mel Freeline Design keel fish model surfboard.
In an 
Morro Bay Skateboard Museum
