Patagonia is making us feel bad about our old wetsuits and we don’t even know why exactly. Apparently, their new Yulex wetsuits are the first suits ever to be made from natural rubber and that is reportedly better for the environment and just as good as neoprene. Here’s why:
. . . because the main polymer is produced in trees instead of factories, using natural rubber reduces the CO2 emitted in wetsuit manufacturing by up to ~80 percent. The FSC certified rubber is blended with a small amount of chlorine-free synthetic rubber for increased ozone and UV resistance, and to meet Patagonia’s rigorous demands for durability and strength. The Yulex process also removes over 99% of impurities, resulting in a nonsensitizing material.
If you’d like to help reduce your own carbon footprint (while rocking a cool new wetsuit) you might be interested in one of Patagonia’s 21 new offerings. For the official word and all the details, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Venture Snowboards, the handcrafted snowboard company based in Silverton, Colorado, is back in action after taking last season (2015-16) off.
“Seventeen years and counting, we are back and more dedicated than ever to the pursuit of the ultimate ride,” said founder and owner “Seventeen years and counting, we are back and more dedicated than ever to the pursuit of the ultimate ride,” said founder and owner Klemens Branner..
Ah, technically, it’s only 16 years, but who’s counting. We’re all just glad you’re back. For the official word from Venture, please follow the jump.
Group Y will be celebrating 10 years in action sports and youth culture with a special gathering Wednesday, August 10, 2016 in Huntington Beach, California. The event kicks off at 6:30 PM at SeaLegs At the Beach with food, drinks and a speaking appearance by Ryan Kingman, President of the newly launched Villager Goods coconut water.
“It’s incredible to see how Group Y has grown over the past decade with the support of the sports and entertainment industry, world renowned athletes and creatives, our dedicated marketing partners and the media.” says Mark Sperling, Group Y co-founder. “When we started back in 2006 there was a huge need to create a forum that would allow this community to come together to share ideas and experience that would grow the industry and address the uniqueness of youth culture programs and products. This night will be about sharing stories, creating new ideas and saying thank you.”
We know it seems like the Vans US Open of Surfing just ended yesterday, but it’s time to get back out in the mix. You’ve had enough time to recover, but then who are we to talk. For the official word from Group Y including all the details, please follow the jump.
The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan will be the first Olympic games to feature skateboarding (street and park) and surfing according to an announcement today (August 3, 2016) from the International Olympic Committee.
Professional skateboarder and ISF athlete representative, Neal Hendrix, said: “I’m excited to be the athlete representative on the Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission. It is really important to me that skateboarding culture is fairly represented and protected on this global stage, and I hope skateboarders worldwide will be proud of the show that the best male and female skateboarders in the world are going to put on in Tokyo in 2020.”
International Surfing Association President Fernando Aguerre, who once said he would fight for surfing’s inclusion in the Olympics even if it meant waiting until every current IOC official had died of old age, was understanably ecstatic:
“After decades of hard work and dedication we are absolutely thrilled that Surfing will officially join the Olympic Sports Program at Tokyo 2020. Our Olympic dream has now become a reality and on behalf of the entire Surfing family I would like to express our sincere thanks to the IOC and Tokyo 2020 for their pioneering vision in making this historic decision possible.
Other sports added in the announcement include baseball/softball, and sport climbing. For the official words from both the ISF and the ISA please follow the jump. More details as the arrive.
The Vans US Open of Surfing, the world’s largest action sports festival, wrapped up on July 31, 2016 in Huntington Beach, California with Tatiana Weston-Webb and Filipe Toledo winning the women’s and men’s event in three to five foot surf at the Huntington Beach Pier.
Weston-Webb claimed her first elite Championship Tour victory today by taking out Malia Manuel (HAW) in a tough Final at Huntington Beach. The win sees earned her 10,000 points and advanced her two places to 4th on the Jeep Leaderboard. . . “To be honest, I had a tough week last week because I lost out in the first round of the Supergirl Pro QS event,” said Weston-Webb. “I just wanted to get my confidence back up. I knew I had a tough draw here in Huntington, especially going against Courtney (Conlogue). She is at her home court and she is so amazing out here. After beating Courtney I got a lot of confidence. I had to surf the Final against my fellow Kauian Malia (Manuel) and she has been ripping all event.”
Toledo was equally happy about his QS win.
“I had an amazing week and this win is for all my family, friends, and fans that support me so much,” Toledo added after his celebration. “Competing against Ethan (Ewing) in that final was so crazy, he absolutely rips and know he’s poised with for a big year with his Ballito result and this runner-up. This wave is one that I’m super comfortable in, growing up on beach breaks like this my whole life and now living down the road it just feels like home to me.”
For the official word from the content company that produced this surfing event please follow the jump.
Spitfire presents 4.5 minutes of Peter Hewitt. But they’d like you to know that between the “Peter” and the “Hewitt” there lies a four letter word used to describe procreation. You know the word. . . and you know why it is this man’s middle name, because, damn!
Oakley, the company that basically created action eyewear, continues to see its staff size shrink as parent company Luxottica marches on wto maximize efficiencies at Oakley’s Orange County, California headquarters. According to a story in the Orange County Regitster about 20 percent of their workers will be cut leaving the company with around 2,000 employees.
“Last year, we announced the further integration of Oakley into Luxottica, allowing the brand to better leverage Luxottica’s resources, distribution channels, and manufacturing and market power,” a Luxottica spokesperson said in a statement. “This final stage of the integration will line Oakley up with the rest of Luxottica in terms of channels, functions and geographies, simplifying everything from decision-making to execution.”
Downsizing always seems so logical and wise, doesn’t it? Especially after one company is consumed by another.
The International Surfing Association will host 2016 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship in La Jolla, California, for the second consecutive year, December 8-11, 2016. The confirmation of the second edition of the event highlights the ISA’s commitment to the development of Adaptive Surfing worldwide.
For the official word from the ISA, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Byrd, makers of quality hair products for board sporting heads, has just launched a new shampoo and conditioner set that promises to keep your hair looking healthy and sleek in and out of the water.
Chances are your hair is weather-beaten and dull after a summer of surf, sand and salt. Don’t worry, BYRD had you in mind when they developed their new purifying shampoo (MSRP $22) and lightweight conditioner (MSRP $24). The shampoo gently cleanses while the conditioner adds strength, shine and beachy volume. The pair features a blend of sea kelp, green tea and aloe vera extracts to regulate moisture and protect against UV/environmental damage. Daily use keeps your hair healthy, hydrated and tangle-free. Made in California with BYRD’s vacation-inspired salty coconut scent. 16 oz. 100% recyclable aluminum bottle. Sulfate-free, Paraben-free.
Pretend you care about your hair and do this up proper. For more info and to buy some, click the link.
Peter Ramondetta, Jake Donnelly, Chima Ferguson, and Zion Wright at the 3rd Roll For Rob event in Providence, RI. help support Rob and his family through his treatment for ALS, available now in select shops and ActionsREALized.com
The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan will be the first Olympic games to feature skateboarding (street and park) and surfing according to an announcement today (August 3, 2016) from the International Olympic Committee.
Oakley, the company that basically created action eyewear, continues to see its staff size shrink as parent company Luxottica marches on wto maximize efficiencies at Oakley’s Orange County, California headquarters. According to a story in the
