Economic correspondent Paul Solman reports on an American-born product hit hard by globalization: the surfboard. In Southern California, U.S.-based manufacturers fear they will soon be wiped out by competing, foreign companies due to discrepancies in labor costs and duty taxes.
Probably one of the best bits we’ve seen on explaining the ins and outs of free trade. For even more on the story including why it might be a bad idea to fight back, click here.
A skier found snowboarder David Sitek, 26, tangled in a tree Wednesday night (March 27, 2013) at 8 PM, according to a story in the Salt Lake City Tribune.
The skier called for help and the Ski Patrol responded, bringing Sitek down to the resort clinic. Paramedics were unable to revive him. . . The specifics of the accident remained under investigation, though Hoyal said Sitek was wearing a helmet at the time of his crash.
Power House Productions, the nonprofit organization behind Detroit, Michigan’s Ride It Sculpture Park, got a little help from the Tony Hawk Foundation in the form of a $30,000 donation (including $5,000 from THF board member Kevin Rose) to help continue construction on the “skatescape along East Davison Street.
“Being recognized by the Tony Hawk Foundation, a name synonymous with the highest level of the sport, is a point of pride for the neighborhood,” said Mitch Cope, Co-Director of Power House Productions. “These kids just can’t believe it. . . Ride It Sculpture Park has always been a very personal project for us, in part because it mixes aspects of our youth that were such big influences—skateboarding and art—and also because it has the greatest potential for impact in our neighborhood of any of the projects we’ve done. It’s a focal point for creative, social activity that is free and open to all.”
For the official word from the Tony Hawk Foundation, as well of a list of the rest of the Winter 2013 THF Skatepark Grants, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
A 38-year-old British snowboarder was found dead 16 feet down in a crevasse on a glacier at Grand Montet in Chamonix France on Wednesday, March 27, according to a story in the Daily Mail.
It is believed the man had snowboarded over a snow bridge on the Rognon glacier and it had collapsed under his weight. . . A helicopter immediately flew over the scene of the accident at Grand Montets and two rescuers were winched down into the crevasse. . . But the man was already dead.
The man was a local who lived in Passy. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Surf photographer Jack English has curated a collection of over 50,000 surf photos that has been licensed by magazines, ad agencies and Fortune 500 hundred companies for years. Now these same photos are available for the rest of us to purchase as murals, prints, and/or posters on SurfImages.com.
“By selling our surfing murals, prints and posters, we wanted to give our consumers the opportunity to own a unique, tangible piece of artwork,” said Surf Images owner Jack English. “We have big brands licensing our work every day, but now we are giving everyone the opportunity to own a beautiful piece of artwork that they can enjoy in their home or office.”
If you need some images to surf up your personal space click the link to check it out or follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
Bear Mountain, Neff, and Malakye are hooking up the entire shred industry with a free day of riding at Bear tomorrow (Friday, March 29, 2013) for Office Booyz Snow Industry Day. If you work for a snow industry company just bring your most recent pay stub and a valid ID and you can ride all day. There’s no pre-registration. Just show up and ride. Springbreak! Springbreak! Follow the jump for all the details. [click to continue…]
Curated by Russ Pope, the show includes small and medium scale works serving to mark this place in time for the five artists as individuals and friends. Some people might call it coincidence – some call it destiny – but there is no denying that microscopic hinges link us all together, binding our past, present and future. Like a chapter book flipped to the middle, these five have a unique bonded history – with more to come – but April 4th they show us what progressive art in Orange County looks like today.
“Very few people in the world ride big mountain lines the way Ralph does,” says Jones Snowboard founder, Jeremy Jones. “It’s no surprise he took the Freeride World Tour crown this year. It’s an epic accomplishment and we can’t wait to celebrate back home with him.”
Dude is gnarly. Seriously. For the rest of the results, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
It has to be one of the downsides of having a popular brand, but two men wanted in sexual assault cases (one in LA, the other in Hawaii) were both described as “wearing a black RVCA baseball cap.” In LA:
Jason Maynard Kies, 37, is being held in lieu of $4 million bail in the Van Nuys jail after detectives arrested him while he allegedly stalked his next potential victim. . . He was described as wearing sunglasses, a black RVCA baseball cap, black shoes, gray shorts and a gray shirt during the attacks.
Meanwhile in Hawaii:
Authorities say that on Jan. 28 at around 3:25 p.m., an unidentified man touched a female minor while engaging in an indecent act on a Hele-On bus in Waimea. . .The suspect was reportedly wearing a RVCA hat and white Beats headphones with a red cord at the time.
So, the next time you see someone in a black RVCA hat, you know, keep an eye on the guy. Especially if you’re on the Big Island, because they’re still looking for that guy.
Kering (formerly known as PPR pending approval), the parent company of Volcom, Gucci, and Puma has announced that they’ve just purchased France Croco “one of the leading independent tanneries. . . specializing in the sourcing, tanning and processing of crocodilian skins.”
Owned, developed and headed by the founder’s son Dan Lewkowicz, France Croco supplies high quality crocodilian skins for watchstraps, leather goods, ready-to-wear and shoes to most of the world’s best known Italian and French fashion and accessories houses, including houses belonging to Kering. France Croco’s sourcing activities also set high standards for sustainability and conservation of wildlife species.
We’re looking forward to some France Croco + VeeCo collar trunks with crocodile pockets, or even better yet, some crocodile Volcom boots, maybe? Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
