The winners will be announced at the invitation-only Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards party at the Grove Theater in Anaheim, California on May 4, 2012. The show will be webcast that night on YouTube’s Newtork A, and will be broadcast as a one-hour program on FUEL TV on Sunday, May 20 at 3 P.M. PT. This year’s event marks the 12th-annual edition of the Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards, an event open to every qualified surfer at every break on every day of the year, so long as the action is captured by a video or still camera and submitted for judging by the XXL’s voting academy of expert surfers and lensmen.
We’re looking forward to seeing Nathan Fletcher walk away with a couple big checks. Click the link for all the nominees. [click to continue…]
Travis Rice rolled up to Snow Summit Mountain in Big Bear, California on March 25, 2012 to ride with the kids at Stoked Mentoring’s final Snow Mentor Los Angeles session.
35 Stoked youth, 11 volunteers, two Stoked staff and a camera crew took a bus from Stoked Headquarters in downtown Los Angeles to Snow Summit Mountain in Big Bear, CA to snowboard for the day. Snow Mentors teach under-served youth life lessons through the process of learning to snowboard. The theme of the day for Snow Mentor was “reflection.” . . “We’re thrilled to have Travis Rice join the bus and snowboard with our kids.” says Steve Larosiliere, Stoked’s President. “Having the top snowboarder in the world share his passion for snowboarding and life lessons learned makes a tremendous impact for our kids.”
Australian surfing legend Michael Peterson died today (March 29, 2012) after a heart attack at his home in Coolangatta, Australia, according to a story in The Age. He was 59.
Peterson will be remembered for being virtually unbeatable in competition in the early 1970s and for providing the defining image of the iconic surfing movie, Morning of the Earth, in 1971. . . The greatest tribute to the reclusive rebel from Coolangatta was delivered to his face by the world’s greatest surfer, Kelly Slater, who once told him: “You are better than me, MP.”
His story is one is one of rockstar-like status and one that is sure to endure: A volatile parallel with drugs and a unique and beautiful approach to riding waves. He may be most famously remembered for a car chase that required 35 cop cars to stop him, but more likely that classic cutback shot – surfing’s most iconic ever.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends who stood by him through it all.
The islands are definitely making a strong spring call right now, with those humid trade winds and hot nights on the street. HUF has tapped right in with the Hawaiian Snapback Pack.
HUF Hawaiian Snapback Pack, consisting of the HUF Big H Hawaiian Starter Snapback and the HUF Classic Script Floral Starter Snapback. Both styles are offered in three color ways, and are set to Starter’s signature 6-panel snapback.
Montana’s Bridger Bowl Resort is only running two lifts today after patroller set avalanches yesterday caused some of the biggest wet slab slides seen in years, according to a story on KTVQ.com.
“Avalanche cycles like this one are rare. It was only the second time in my 22 years of avalanche work that I’ve seen wet slab activity on this scale. Yesterday, the ski patrol triggered avalanches with explosives that gouged out groomed runs and road cuts plus put debris up to 20 foot deep in the gullies. New snow yesterday morning, above freezing temperatures, and a moist snowpack sitting on facets had stability teetering. Avalanches broke on soggy depth hoar at the ground. By midday explosives weren’t needed and the patrol ski triggered wet loose slides that would step down to the facets,” Chabot says in the report.
Nice of them to get that all done before they open the lifts back up.
If it’s April it means that all the hardcores are returning to Alaska to get some spring turns, finish filming their big mountain parts, or just Tailgating Alaska April 1 – 12 with Flow Snowboards at Thompson Pass.
For its fifth year, Flow Tailgate Alaska will bring together over 500 tailgaters for a two-week celebration in the Alaskan Chugach Mountains with educational opportunities, parties, competitions and entertainment for all. While most of North America had a weak winter season, the Chugach Mountains have been on track for a record setting season. . .”This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride this much snow in Alaska,” said event creator Mark Sullivan.
In this Ride Channel In Focus, Thrasher Magazine’s Michael Burnett kicks down just about everything anyone needs to know to shoot great skateboarding photos. The obvious problem for most beginners is remembering all this before pressing the shutter release. Follow the jump for Part 2. [click to continue…]
Jeff Tremaine and Dickhouse productions is at it again, this time with Tyler the Creator and Odd Future. Their new show is on Adult Swim and it’s called Loiter Squad. Yes, it’s so funny you’ll spit soup through your nose.
World Industries parent company, i.e. distribution, has announced that former Converse Sales Director Scott Chantos has been named president of the company.
“Scott brings a wealth of leadership experience that will help bring vision and clarity to the brand direction for all the brands under the i.e. distribution umbrella. He has a strong background in building brands and creating growth. We are extremely confident that Scott will have a great impact in his role as we look to invigorate our domestic and global sales in footwear and hardwoods,” stated the Executive Board.
Chantos is filling a position left vacant when former President John Dickinson left the company to pursue other interests. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
