by The Editors on December 8, 2013
The Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons kicked off today (December 8, 2013) in firing six to eight foot surf that faded over the course of the day, but never stopped delivering barrels. Brazilian Gabriel Medina put down the highest score of the day (18.67) and landed one of the biggest airs ever done at Pipeline on his way to blazing Bruce Irons.
“I got a little bit lucky,” Medina said. “I got three really good barrels and did the air at the end. I was watching the guys always getting big scores at backdoor and had them in my mind. Somehow, I found those lefts and that was such a fun heat. I’ve always watched Bruce (Irons) and I really respect him. To be surfing with him is a dream come true.”
The top seeds jump into the action tomorrow in round three. For the official word from the ASP including complete results, follow the jump.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 8, 2013
by The Editors on December 6, 2013
You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, but Riley Hawk (yes, that one) has officially gone pro on his birthday no less, with everyone at his house to surprise him. And yes, he looked completely surprised an overwhelmed. “Happy Birthday,it’s your pro model”, Riley. Oh, and it’s a little bit late, but here’s your “Year’s Best Am” award from The Skateboard Mag. Welcome to the world of pro skater real life.
by The Editors on December 6, 2013
The most glamorous night of action sports award showing goes down tonight live from the North Shore of Oahu as Surfer Magazine presents the 2013 Surfer Poll Awards. Here’s what Surfer has to say for themselves:
The night of the 6th, we’ll honor the Top Ten men and Top Five women as voted by the readers of SURFER Magazine, and we’ll be presenting awards for Best Barrel, Worst Wipeout, Heavy Water (our award for excellence/craziness in big-wave charging), Best Performance, Best Cinematography, Best Short (for films under 20 minutes), and the big one, Movie of the Year.
The live show rolls out on Surferpoll.com (and via Oceanic Time Warner Cable in Hawaii) at 7 pm HST, 9 pm PST and midnight on the East Coast. For more info, click the link.
[Link: Surfer Poll]
by The Editors on December 5, 2013
While filming for snowboard movies things don’t always go right. Here are a couple wrong moments from the Pirate TV Crew. Pow, pow, pow. . .
by The Editors on December 4, 2013
The US Snowboarding Team will be representing the United States of America in Sochi, Russia this year dressed like stylish Appalachian hobos (a.k.a. “heirloom hippy”) thanks to Burton Snowboard’s new Team Uniforms designs. How to make an American quilt?
The uniforms are a fitting tribute to hard times in the old USA, and to heritage and the resilience of the family, and of America itself. Here, we’ll let Danny Davis explain it. Or, you can follow the jump for the official word from Burton. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 3, 2013
When the Boston Globe wants to do a story on snowboarding it apparently heads directly to the local ski shop and talks to some skiers to get the latest news. They spoke to Adam Sanchez and his boss Mike Murphy (pictured right) at Sportworks in Duxbury about just what happened to that old white-hot sport of snowboarding.
“I snowboarded for four seasons,” said Sanchez. “The skis then were pretty traditional, and the technology was not advancing. But the past couple of years, the new designs have made skiing much easier, especially in powder and the woods. So I went back into skiing.”
Even the researchers are telling tales of woe. RRC Associates director of operations Nate Fristoe, who presented some numbers to the National Ski Area Association reportedly says snowboarding has been falling off for years even though some used to claim “snowboarding saved the ski industry” (we wrote that line).
“Snowboarding lost some of its mojo around 2005 and 2006, and we’ve been running on fumes since then. It’s like any kind of trend — full of all sorts of energy until it isn’t.”
Well, now that all the snowboard tourists are finally packing it up it looks like there will be more snow for us. We never really like them anyway. Yay skiing!
[Link: Boston Globe via Bobstonite]
by The Editors on December 3, 2013
Remember all those companies Quiksilver started and/or bought or licensed over the years because it was reportedly good for the stability of their business? Brands like Mervin Manufacturing, Hawk, Moskova, and Maui & Sons. Well, it now seems like the secret to Quik’s “profit improvement plan” is to sell them all. Mervin is already gone and most of the money they got for it is already spent.
“These transactions represent additional milestones in executing our multi-year profit improvement plan,” said Andy Mooney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quiksilver, Inc. “We used a portion of the Mervin proceeds to invest in our high-growth subsidiaries in Mexico and Brazil, and we now own 100 percent of our operations in both countries. The remaining proceeds from the Mervin sale, combined with the new European credit facility, enhance our financial flexibility and add greater stability to our liquidity. . . Divesting Mervin and the other non-core businesses will allow management to focus on expanding our three core brands – Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC Shoes – along with driving additional operational efficiencies.”
Hey, whatever makes the market think “Hey, they’re making the right moves” is apparently the right move. Follow the jump for the full press release.
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by The Editors on December 3, 2013
Elena Hight is hoping to attend the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and she wants to take us all along for the ride. Turns out there’s more to getting onto the Olympic team that just showing up and doing a couple pipe runs. But, here, we’ll let Elena tell you all about it in this, the first episode of her six-webisode series Hight Hopes.
by The Editors on December 3, 2013
San Diego, California based eyewear company 9Five has announced that they’re getting into the time telling game with the launch of their new IXV Watch line.
The Executive (pictured above) boasts a full 316L/304 stainless steel case and band with classic styling, while the Roosevelt features a 316L/304 stainless steel case and sleek genuine black leather croc band. Inheriting 9FIVE’s dramatic design touches, each watch comes with options of rose gold, platinum and the signature black and teal color-way. Each dial face highlights the “9” and “5” numerals, offering a subtle nod to 9FIVE, along with intricate laser etched detailing.
For more info click the link.
[Link: IXV Watches]
