by The Editors on December 14, 2013
It took the mind and body of a warrior and several last minute heat-saving waves, but Mick Fanning marched on through to claim his third ASP World Title on Saturday December 14, 2013 by making it to the semi-finals over Yadin Nicol in the quarter finals of the Billabong Pipe Masters In Memory of Andy Irons.
“The world title is something that takes a whole year, but sometimes it can feel like it boils down to the final day and the final heats,” Fanning said. “I’m sure I gave my wife Karissa and my mum enough stress today to last a lifetime. I was never worried myself now that I think of it. I knew what I needed to do and if the opportunity came, I knew I could do it. That opportunity came in both heats today. It’s an incredible feeling. I’ve been having fun all year and to clinch on a day like this at Pipeline makes it that much more special.”
When asked how he felt about winning his third world title and the hunt for Kelly Slater’s 11 title record, Fanning shrugged, laughed and said, “I don’t know. I was happy with one.” For the official word from the ASP follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 13, 2013
We’re going to watch Dave Bachinsky then go out at skate. Because we find him that inspiring. Is it the trucks?
[Link: Venture]
by The Editors on December 13, 2013
A Sierra resort with deep, deep roots in snowboarding gets the chance to grow more today as California’s June Mountain officially reopens for the 2013-14 season after being shuttered since 2012. Today (Friday, December 13, 2013) the resort that hosted the original OP Pro of Snowboarding is back in the game.
“June has a special place in the hearts of so many skiers and snowboarders, and I know they’re just as excited as we are that June Mountain is reopening on Friday,” said general manager, Carl Williams. “We’ve made some improvements that I think visitors are really going to appreciate. June has always been a really comfortable place to learn to ski or snowboard, and with the new programming and ticket prices I think that’s even more true today.”
It’s like Mammoth’s less crowded, cheaper, more fun little sister. . . ah, or something like that. Tickets are $72 a day and the season passes cost only $175 for college students, and $399 for adults. Hello bargains! For the official word from June Mountain, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 13, 2013
This little Eric Leon edit from Arbor Snowboards will get your heart racing for a little heavy metal shred action. If it doesn’t, might as well just give it up.
[Link: Arbor Snowboards]
by The Editors on December 13, 2013
The Agenda Show is keeping their hat game on the up with a newly signed three-year deal with custom hat manufacturers Flexfit. Through the partnership Agenda and Flexfit will create limited edition hats created with different brands and artists.
“We have built AGENDA from the ground up, making sure that we keep surprising and inspiring our brands and retailers,” says Aaron Levant, founder of AGENDA. “Our relationship with FLEXFIT and being able to tap into each others resources will support our vision and keep the show fresh. This is only the beginning for AGENDA and FLEXFIT, and we’re excited to see the amazing collaborations to come.”
For the official word from Agenda, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 11, 2013
Here’s the current 2013 ASP World Title situation: After losing to John John Florence and Nat Young (thanks to a last second interference against Florence) Mick Fanning was bumped into round 5 where he will face barrel riding magician CJ Hobgood. If Mick loses to CJ AND Kelly Slater wins the 2013 Billabong Pipe Masters, then Mr. Slater will win his 12th ASP world title. If Kelly wins and Mick gets third place or second, then Mick wins his third world title. If Kelly doesn’t win the Pipe Masters, Mick wins. See how crazy all this stuff is getting?
While the deck appears to be stacked against Slater he stayed right on message all day, both in his round 3 heat against Mitch Crews and his round 4 heat against 2012 Vans Triple Crown winner Sebastian Zietz and Miguel Pupo.
“I was worried this-morning about the conditions,” Slater said. “John John (Florence) and I were out trying to catch a couple of waves and I kind of thought ‘maybe we shouldn’t run, maybe we should wait and hour or two until it gets better.’ It seemed like it turned on during my heat and some kind of energy came through for me. I knew I had to make that heat, you can’t let those things escape your mind, that was the reality of the situation, but it’s not going to change how you go out there and perform. I had to go out there focused.”
Surfline is calling for a rising swell on Friday, December 13, 2013, and a pretty large swell on Saturday. It would appear that round 5 through the finals will go down on Saturday, December 14, 2013. And you just might want to tune in as it just may be the heaviest day in pro surfing history. Follow the jump for the official word from the ASP. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 11, 2013
Apparently Spy President and CEO Michael Marckx didn’t have enough titles after his name so the Spy board of directed added him to the board. Yep, now he’s President, CEO, and Member of the Board of Directors.
“Michael has been instrumental, and inspirational, in ensuring that SPY’s truly innovative products and its unique message are resonating throughout the marketplace,” said Seth Hamot, Spy Inc. chairman of the board. “We happily welcome him to the Board!”
For the official world from Spy, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 9, 2013
It didn’t take long after Burton Snowboards announced their designs for the 2014 Olympic snowboard uniforms for the company to be forced into responding to stories about how the uniforms were “not made in the United States of America,” according to a story on Fox News. The jackets are apparently made in Japan and here’s the rest:
“The fabric of the competition fleece was woven in Italy, and the technical and waterproof corduroy pant fabric was developed in Taiwan and sewn in Vietnam,” the [Burton] statement continued. “Next, we turned to our longstanding, trusted vendors in China to produce several of the accessories.”
Burton was quick to point out that most of the snowboards ridden by the Burton athletes in the 2013 Sochi Olympics will be handmade in Burlington, Vermont. So if you think you’re going to be riding the same board Shaun White rides in the Olympics, think again. The one you ride will likely be made by one of Burton’s “longstanding, trusted vendors” offshore. Not that this should surprise anyone. . . at all.
[Link: Fox News]
by The Editors on December 9, 2013
The finished films always seem to make snowboarding look smoother and easier than it really is. Here are a few reminders from Kalle Ohlson, Sami Luhtanen and the Pirate TV crew. Just watching it hurts.
by The Editors on December 9, 2013
Harper wrote lyrics to “Pleasure And Pain” on Christian Hosoi’s board, and Hawk had members of The Clash write lyrics from “London Calling” on his. Photo by Jody Morris.
On December 5, 2013 Ben Harper and Tony Hawk kicked off the second annual Boards + Bands auction to benefit at-risk youth from the Clive Davis Theater at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, California.
The Boards + Bands initiative brings together the worlds of skateboarding and music to benefit the work of the Tony Hawk Foundation, which helps bring high quality public skateparks to underprivileged children in low-income communities. The chosen recording artists have hand-written the lyrics on one-of-a-kind skateboards from each skater. . . . “The second annual boards and bands has arrived!” said Harper. “I couldn’t be more proud of the work we’ve done at the Tony Hawk Foundation—it is an honor to serve as a member of the Board. Skatepark building is community building, so please help us spread the word about this year’s auction. Thank you!”
Musician and skater match-ups include some interesting combinations like Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin “Candle In The Wind” on a Chris Cole deck; Daft Punk “Technologic” on Aaron ”Jaws” Homoki’s board; and Panda Bear “You Can Count On Me” with Andrew Reynolds. Last year the boards got pretty expensive but just click on www.BoardsAndBands.org and throw in your bid, or follow the jump for the official word from The Tony Hawk Foundation. [click to continue…]
