Those who thought the US Open of Surfing would simply drift on into oblivion following Nike Inc.’s withdrawal from Huntington Beach, California are sorely mistaken. Vans announced today (February 7, 2013) that it has signed a three-year partnership with IMC to be the title sponsor of the world’s largest surfing event.
“Vans and IMG have been partners for the better part of two decades. Being able to continue this relationship via such an iconic platform, in our own backyard, is simply a perfect fit,” says Doug Palladini, Vans’ Vice President of Marketing. “We are really looking forward to bringing the entire surf and skate industry back to the US Open, leading by working with all of our peers, and inspiring a whole new generation of action sports fans. As we continue to grow our role in surfing, the US Open and the City of Huntington Beach afford us one of youth culture’s most powerful events to share our spirit of Off the Wall with millions of people. ”
Looks like the US Open of Surfing is in good hands. The event runs July 20 – 28, 2013 in Huntington Beach, California. For the official word from Vans, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
The Google has reportedly added maps of 38 resorts to their Google Maps app, according to a post on ABC News.
Now you can find your way to never-ending mogul fun on the Mad Wolf run at Montana’s Big Sky Resort, or navigate to Vermont’s Stowe Mountain Resort’s freestyle terrain parks for shredding bliss. . . Other popular ski resorts on the app include Aspen and Vail in Colorado, Sun Valley in Idaho, Squaw Valley and Mammoth Mountain in California, and Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont.
At this rate soon we won’t even have to take our brains with us when we go outside. And that’s some good news.
Brazilian wonder surfer Gabriel Medina will now be representing Oakley.
“We’re very excited to add Gabriel Medina to our elite Global surf team. We’re big fans of his surfing and what Gabriel has accomplished in the sport. Between his aggressive approach to aerial innovation and his passion for competition, we believe that he is a perfect fit for the Oakley family,” said Patrick McIlvain, Oakley VP Global Sports Marketing. “Adding Gabriel’s name to a team that already includes the likes of Julian Wilson, Bruce Irons, Jordy Smith, Kolohe Andino, Seabass and more, we believe we’ve got one of the most dynamic teams in the industry. We can’t wait to see what will come from these guys in 2013 and beyond.”
And it figures. What else were they going to do with all that money they had left over after cutting Lance Armstrong. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
The Colored Cow never lets anything get in the way of some good hyperbole. This year the SuperNatural has been upgraded to the UltraNatural. Event creator Travis Rice believes the 2013 event will evoke a “paradigm shift” in snowboarding. And what did they do? They put more unnatural objects in to enhance the naturalness so that it becomes ultra natural. Get it? Oh, and that other voice you hear in the middle? That’s Jamie Lynn. Can’t argue with that guy about snowboarding.
He was in a car when a man swerved to purposely hit a roadside worker, then he saved a woman’s life by using his hatchet to hack the same man, but the best part of all of this is the Kai is “straight out of Dogtown.” And he describes being involved in the whole encounter as like “surfing the biggest wave of my life.” Just watch it (if you haven’t already seen it a million times) and turn up the volume.
The lifts aren’t running at June Mountain Resortthis winter, but that doesn’t mean snowboarders can’t ride the untracked terrain. The US Forest Service has just lifted access restrictions to the resort, according to a story in the Inyo Register.
Residents and visitors were given the greenlight this week to enjoy backcountry skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing in and around June Mountain Ski Area for the rest of the winter season. . . Restrictions prohibiting such winter activities on national forest lands within the ski area boundaries have been lifted, now that the Forest Service and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area finalized an operations plan for June Mountain. . . The Forest Service still urges extreme caution in some areas due to avalanche danger.
This is great news for split board crew who know where all the secret slots are. And we’re guessing that roof drop might be kind of fun (since no one is looking).
New York City art gallery The Hole is presenting a new show of works by Herbie Fletcher titled Wrecktangles. Here’s how The Hole describes the paintings:
These artworks are massive and vital, like the huge waves this artist was known for pioneering during his fifty-year plus career as a surfer. These pieces are made from the wave-munched fragments of broken boards actually used when surfing giant waves. The thunderous force of the ocean is apparent in these jagged and mishapen “wrecktangles”, but perhaps the most eye-catching component is the various decals, traction pads, fins or logos that show both the personalization of each board and the sponsorship and awards circuits of pro surfing.
Yes, these pieces (like Pipeline Wrecktangle XIV, 2011 above) are broken surfboards fastened together, and apparently they are very collectable. The Wrecktangles show opening party is Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 6 to 9 PM. The show runs through February 28, 2013. The Hole is located at 312 Bowery in New York City.
Arbor Snowboards‘ Robert Toste, Jake Schaible, Yosuke Hayashi, Yuma Abe and Ian Sams hit of Southern California’s finest parks at Bear Mountain and Mountain High. As a reminder to the rest of the world, yes, LA has surf, beaches, skateparks, starlets, palm trees, and good snow less than an hour away.
Luke Mitrani (pictured right) is apparently the US National Halfpipe Champion if the USSA has anything to say about it. By placing third in the Park City Grand Prix over the weekend secured the title.
The Vermont bred champion, was thrilled to take this weekend’s overall win in Utah. “I’m happy to have landed the run that I’ve been working so hard on,” said Mitrani. “Today’s finish feels good, I am definitely stoked. But there’s still a lot of winter left this year to get on snow, have fun and keep dialing in my riding.”
Jeremy Jones, Jones Snowboards, and Alaska’s Ultima Thule Lodge and helping to raise funds for Protect Our Winters with a raffle for three days of riding with Mr. Jones. Each time you donate $5 you are entered. The more you donate, the higher your chances of winning are. Help out POW and get a chance at riding some untracked by making a donation now.
Those who thought the US Open of Surfing would simply drift on into oblivion following Nike Inc.’s withdrawal from Huntington Beach, California are sorely mistaken. Vans announced today (February 7, 2013) that it has signed a three-year partnership with IMC to be the title sponsor of the world’s largest surfing event.
