by The Editors on June 5, 2013
Patagonia today (June 5, 2013) announced another promotion from within as
Doug Freeman became COO. He is replacing former COO and CFO of Patagonia apparel
Rose Marcario who was moved to be the new president and CEO of Patagonia Works in
May of 2013.
Freeman brings 24 years of operational experience to this new role, having served as Patagonia, Inc.’s vice president of production for the last six years. Prior to that role, Freeman served as Patagonia’s sourcing manager for Asia, and has held director-level positions at Polo Ralph Lauren, The North Face, and Sport Obermeyer.
For the the official word from Patagonia follow the jump.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 5, 2013
Now that the complete take over of Billabong is off the table analysts are going over what they think the pieces of Billabong are worth.
Citi’s Craig Woolford, believes RVCA and Dakine could be sold for $110 million combined, according to a story in The Australian.
Billabong bought RVCA, which founder Pat Tenore established in 2001 in his garage, in 2010 for an undisclosed amount, saying it would contribute 2 per cent of the retailer’s total revenue. RVCA’s brand advocates include jiu-jitsu athletes like Rafa Mendes, musician Josh Harmony, surfer Christian Fletcher and skateboarder Mark Suciu. . . Billabong bought DaKine in 2008, 29 years after it was founded in Hawaii, for $US100m. It sponsors athletes in skiing, surfing, skating, windsurfing, kiteboarding and mountain biking.
It wouldn’t pay off Billabong’s $279 million debt, but it would be a step in the right direction. And when you think about it. Why buy all of Billabong’s debt when you can just scoop up a few of their better brands for next to nothing? Anyone have $110 million lying around? Hey, maybe Chip Wilson can help. . .
[Link: The Australian]
by The Editors on June 4, 2013
Westbeach (and more famously Lululemon) founder Chip Wilson has posted his latest creative endeavor online at his new site Whil.com. The site is Chip and his wife Shannon’s “global conversation about the power of accessible and everyday meditation.” Or as Chip explains it: “Meditation – specifically the 60-second meditation we prescribe with Whil – is about avoiding technological burnout by “getting present,” being mindful and living in the moment.”
Apparently, being worth $2.9 billion gives one the time (and reason) to reflect a little and, you know, get centered. It also likely gives one the narcissistic impetus to write an autobiography. And that is exactly what Chip has posted. It’s the story of Lululemon as told by Chip and it’s titled 40,000 Days And Then You’re Dead.
40,000 Days (or however many days you have left after signing in) is an intimate, personal look into the life and business of a passionate entrepreneur. It is well worth reading for anyone who has ever worn a Westbeach snow kit, or gazed spellbound at a tight, suburban, mom ass lightly poured into a pair of yoga pants. It’s also not a bad read for anyone whose ever wondered what it must be like to carry around a wallet the size of the Northwest Territories.
And remember, Chip Wilson is not only one bad-ass swing dancer, he is also action sport’s single biggest success story EVER. Now click the link, read the book, and get started on your first billion.
[Link: 40,000 Days]
by The Editors on June 4, 2013
Fred Patacchia (slotted above) sent Jordy Smith directly to Round 2 in their R1H1 matchup.
Some people were missing from day one of the Volcom Fiji Pro when it kicked of on Tuesday June 4, 2013 at Cloudbreak. ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson believed surfers were up for another lay day and so he went fishing (out of phone range), and 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater stayed in Florida for the birth of his nephew. What definitely wasn’t missing was waves. Cloudbreak delivered perfect four-to-six foot glassy barrels all day long for the Round 1 surfers who showed up.
Wildcard Mitch Coleborn ate it up grabbing the high score of the day with a 19.33.
“I’m feeling in good rhythm and trying to keep momentum going after my win last week in Brazil,” Coleborn said. “My first wave was a 10 and I don’t know what to say, I’m stoked. Hopefully I can keep it going in Round 3.” . . . Coleborn, who topped 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 41, in Round 1 at Cloudbreak last year, recreated the same magic today, besting ASP World No. 1 Adriano de Souza (BRA), 26, and Alejo Muniz (BRA), 23, to make his way to Round 3.
For the official word from the ASP including full heat results, follow the jump.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 3, 2013
Eagle, Idaho’s Proof Eyewear has dropped their 2013 Spring/Summer collection and some of the frames are fashioned from “repurposed skateboard decks” and the multicolored layers look smooth.
The Bud sunglass (shown above) is a modern classic shaped frame. The Bud is part of the Skateboard collection which is handcrafted and assembled from 5 ply canadian maple skateboard decks. This unique skateboard construction makes them very durable and one of a kind. Each frame is hand polished and coated with a water/sweat protective seal.
Wonder how easy these are to focus when you just can’t land? Either way, they look pretty good. Check ’em out on Proof’s website.
[Link: Proof Eyewear]
by The Editors on June 3, 2013
After announcing today (June 4, 2013) that takeover talks have officially ended, Billabong now must figure out what pieces of its rotting financial corpse can be sold for cash needed to pay off its hulking debts, according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Shares in the company plunged after they came out of a trading halt this morning, diving 56 per cent to 20 cents. . . Discussions were now being held with Sycamore and Altamont about potential refinancing and asset sales offered as an alternative to a takeover, it said. . . The proceeds of those possible deals would be used by Billabong to repay in full its existing debts, the company said. . . ‘‘The refinancing is intended to provide the company with a comprehensive solution and an appropriate capital structure, allowing it to continue its reform agenda,’’ chairman Ian Pollard said in a statement. ‘‘It’s our intention to conclude these discussions as soon as practically possible while aggressively reducing costs across all our global operations.’’
It appears the vultures have landed and will soon begin stripping the bones. Whoops. For the official word from Billabong, follow the jump.
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald via Rottmouth]
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 3, 2013
The ASP World Tour fires back up today with Round 1 of the 2013 Volcom Fiji Pro at Cloudbreak. Jordy Smith, Sebastian Zietz, and Freddie P will hit the water at 3:30 PM PST (Tuesday, June 4, 2013 10:30 AM Fiji time).
“Conditions have continued to improve this morning and we’ll be commencing Round 1 of competition at 10:30am,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge said. “We anticipate running all of Round 1 and will monitor conditions throughout the day, making adjustments accordingly. Good luck to all our competitors today.”
Surfer is building in the four to six-foot range so this should be good. Click here to watch it live and follow the jump for the complete Round 1 match-ups.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 3, 2013
We learned our lesson years ago about saying anything about the Battles at the Berrics until Steve and Eric say it’s okay. So, with that said, be sure to click the link for all the coverage from this weekend’s Battle 6. It will blow your mind three times. Yes, and the Wall Street Journal even blogged it again.
[Link: The Berrics]
by The Editors on June 3, 2013
Jewelry designer Tim Foster talked Tony Alva into creating a pendant inspired by an original 1977 Alva Skates skateboard as a way to raise money for the music industry support group MusiCares.
The pendant measures just under 1.5″ and comes with an adjustable black cotton cord. 25% of the proceeds from sales benefit MusiCares’ Map Fund providing financial and supportive assistance for music people in need of addiction recovery services.
The pendant sells for $60.00 and is available on the Penny Royal Studio website. Click here to buy one, or follow the jump for official details.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 3, 2013
Pascale Honore is a 50-year-old woman from Western Australia who was paralyzed in an auto accident 18 years ago. But she still likes to surf, so she has Tyron Swan, 23, duct tape her to his back and takes her out surfing, according to a story in the Herald Sun.
“We were just sitting around one night having a few beers when I thought, `yeah, I reckon I could surf with Pascale on my back’,” Ty says. . . Eventually that seed of an idea took root, and the pair began to seriously look at the logistics of surfing together.
In this case it appears Swan rather enjoys having a shoulder hopper. And it appears that Honore, enjoys the ride.
[Link: Herald Sun]
