by The Editors on June 5, 2014
And just like that the ASP World Championship Tour’s Fiji Pro is down to four guys after yesterday’s (June 4, 2014) rounds of surfing: Nat Young vs. Michel Bourez, and Gabriel Medina (above) vs. Kolohe Andino. We don’t want to say anything too derogatory about the waves, but the semi-finalists themselves are a pretty good indicator of how it went for most of the contest. The semi-finalists didn’t seem to let that get them down.
“Today was for sure the best I’ve ever surfed since I’ve been on Tour,” said Kolohe Andino. “I felt really calm which is good for me and I’m stoked. I’m still improving and my board change has really helped. I’m just taking it heat by heat and really enjoying myself out there so we’ll see what happens. I’m stoked that Nat (Young) is still in the draw because he’s my best friend on Tour.”
The contest just might conclude today with what we’re guessing will be a Bourez, Medina final with Medina taking the win. Then again, we could be wrong. For the official word from the ASP including complete results, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 4, 2014
Our favorite Wall Street Journal reporter, skater Conor Dougherty, is about to become our favorite San Francisco, California based New York Times reporter (congrats, Conor). But before he switched gigs, he wanted to do one more story for his former employer. Did he investigate the fading housing crisis? Or, sneak onto a Google Bus? No, he tested a slew of electric skateboards and even found one he liked. Sadly, although he has a solid kickflip, he was unable to do that on any of the electric skateboards, and that may be the problem.
[Link: The Wall Street Journal]
by The Editors on June 3, 2014
We’ve seen the Christian Hosoi Hammerhead surfboards from UNIV, now Penny Skateboards has updated their Christian Hosoi Signature Series with the Penny Nickel 27 inch Hammerhead.
In speaking about his partnership with Penny and the “Hammerhead” graphic, Hosoi says that it came about when he was a young kid with big dreams wanting to do something outside of the box. “I was wanting to be an individual, creative, artistic entity. Skateboarding is art, mixed with what we love to do….and that’s where determination…(and) motivation comes from, it comes from a place where you do it because you love it. Not because you’re going to get something from it, but because you’re going to give back to it.”
For more details, click the link.
[Link: Penny Skateboards]
by The Editors on June 3, 2014
Spy Optic is celebrating 20 years of sunglass making with the Happy 20 Collection. The retro forward sunglasses come in three limited edition styles: the Fore, the Union, and the Heir.
“SPY has now been on the vanguard of eyewear evolution for twenty years,” says Michael Marckx, SPY president and CEO. “The Happy 20 Collection combines our distinct design heritage with our current technologies to make something for people who have been with SPY all along and for those who are just hopping on the train. Plus, we give a nod to where we are all headed. In any form, we promise you’re in for a fun ride.”
The glasses are built with recycled metals, plus Spy’s 100 percent biodegradable Plantate frame material. And, they feature Happy Lenses as well. Thought they wouldn’t? The retail from between $130 to $170. For the official word from Spy, follow the jump.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 3, 2014
Surfer Tai Blanco, 17, is vegan. And she’s helping PETA2 spread the word for the ethical treatment of animals with a new ad. In this edit she explains what it’s all about. Oh, and those blurry logos on her board and wetsuit? She surfs for Reef now, not that other company. For the official word, follow the jump.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 2, 2014
The men are taking their turn at Tavarua for the ASP World Championship Tour’s Fiji Pro. Taj Burrow heads out in heat 4 against Ace Buchan and Mitch Coleborn, and current ASP world title points leader, Kelly Slater heads out against Jeremy Flores, and local Isei Tokovou in Heat 6. For the official word, including Round 1 match-ups, follow the jump.
sp [click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 2, 2014
Quiksilver’s big plans to turn the company around with the help of former Disney Consumer Products chairman Andy Mooney don’t seem to be working out so well if financials for the quarter ending April 30, 2014 are any indicator. Analysts expected Quiksilver’s loss for the most recent quarter to be in the in two cents a share range, but the loss last quarter was 15 cents a share. A year ago it was only a 12 cents a share loss, according to a story on MarketWatch.
How are Mooney’s plans working? Take a look at this:
During the latest quarter, sales at its namesake brand declined 7% to $167 million excluding currency impacts. At its Roxy brand, sales dropped 6% to $121 million, and DC brand sales fell 19% to $103 million, also excluding currency fluctuations.
In addition to losing Kelly Slater (who now looks like he got out just in time) Quiksilver lost $53.1 million in the last quarter, up from $32 million during the same period a year ago. And it appears the worst is not over.
The company expects that the general sales trends of recent quarters will continue into the second half of the fiscal year, with continued net revenue declines in the North America and Europe wholesale channels being partially offset by net revenue growth in emerging markets and e-commerce.
Where do they go from here? Seriously? Quiksilver Princess Division?
[Link: MarketWatch]
by The Editors on May 30, 2014
Asher Bradshaw, the 9-year-old skateboarding wunderkinder has kind of blown the whole 900 thing up by landing it at his age. Say what you will about underground baby racing, but this is truly impressive.
Follow the jump for the official Camp Woodward version of this record breaking spin. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 30, 2014
Well, it’s no surprise, but according to a story on GigaOm, Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, Byers partner and long-time internet analyst Mary Meeker says it’s very likely that you’re way over-spending on print advertising and not investing enough in mobile, based on how much time people sent with each media in 2013.
Last year, print got just 5 percent of the overall time spent on media, but it pulled in almost 20 percent of the overall advertising revenue.
In other words, Mobile and Internet should get the bulk of your spend. In fact, this chart offers a pretty easy breakdown of where all your dollars should go in general. You can view Meeker’s entire 2014 Internet Trends deck here.
[Link: GigaOm]
by The Editors on May 30, 2014
Want to hang out with Hollywood celebrities, rock stars, and legends of skateboarding at a Beverly Hills mansion while at the same time helping to raise money for the Tony Hawk Foundation’s legendary work to build skateboard parks? Then the 11th Annual Standup For Skateparks event is the perfect place for you. Planned for September 21, 2014, this “action-sports carnival” promises to be a good time for a great cause. If you’d like to reserve tickets just click here to email Lily Schwimmer, but be careful. They are spend spend.
[Link: Stand Up For Skateparks]
