by The Editors on December 21, 2011
When we think of hard-charging snowboard boarder cross racers bumping and hopping down an icy race course, we don’t exactly think L.L. Bean. But it appears the Maine based maker of all things classically backwoodsy is trying to change that by signing up two-time Olympic Gold medalist Seth Wescott as a “brand ambassador.” Apparently:
“Seth and L.L.Bean share many of the same values – a love and respect of the outdoors and a passion to educate and inspire youth to enjoy the outdoors,” said Steve Fuller, L.L.Bean Chief Marketing Officer. “He will be a great brand ambassador both here in Maine and around the world.”
The deal is for three years. It would be kind of epic to see Seth flying down a world cup BX course in this. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 21, 2011
Winter hasn’t even really gotten started, but ERGO is already looking forward to summer. Can’t say we blame them at this point.
[Link: ERGO]
by The Editors on December 20, 2011
We doubt there is anyone who types words about surfing who hasn’t made some kind of comment or 10 about Dane Reynolds and what he should or should not be doing with all that raw talent. We’re guilty. Sometimes we start thinking like old high school principals. We see Dane’s crazy, insane surfing skills, his dashing personality, and star power and we believe he has a responsibility to perform on the ASP world tour. Anything less is complete and utter waste of all that potential. Or something like that.
Thankfully, Dane has decided that rather than let all of us “twitter impostors, eggy surf bloggers, overzealous surf photographers” continue to speculate, he’ll just lay it all out in one blog post. It begins like this and includes no capital letters (shift key must be broken):
i’ve been getting some pressure from various people and/or websites to write something, sorta like an official statement concerning my exit from the world tour. my dismount. my pirouette. ‘an opportunity level with your fans.’ that’s what they tell me. people wanna know whats goin on. be up to date. i can understand that. i like knowing whats going on. i like being up to date. . . .one thing to remember is that i have a heart and i have bones and muscle and skin and eyes and teeth. i have emotions. sometimes i act according to emotions. sometimes i think and make a conscious decision. i usually do that. in fact i usually think too much. sorta neurotic. i make mistakes, and i deal with them. i have fears and i have anxiety and i have insecurities and i have vices which i often give in to. social situations enhance all of these qualities. i could probably use some discipline, and lots of things bum me out, but generally i’m happy, and i enjoy making other people happy. sometimes all it takes is a smile. sometimes it takes a lot more than that. i try to be honest. especially with myself. i know that i’m fortunate. i’m sitting here and i have a pulse and i can breath and i hear birds outside and the buzz of the freeway and the suns about to set and it’s a friday. that’s fortune. i also know that i’m fortunate in many other ways. three brands support me and enable me to surf every day and travel and eat and have a house to live in. in return i represent their company in a positive way. i feel like i do a decent job. but that’s obviously up for debate. surfing is my passion in life. i always think about how lucky we are that there’s even an ocean, and its not too hot or too turbulent and it’s not made of acid that burns our skin off. and how lucky is it that the land tapers into the ocean in just the right way so that when lumps of energy approach from a thousand miles away they gently rise up and crash at just the perfect speed so that we can wave our little arms and match their speed and hang at the crest weightless for just a second before sliding down the face. free to ride it in any way you please. and there’s not just one of them. there’s tons of them. they keep coming. all different sizes shapes and speeds. everyday they’re different. endless joy.
As usual, it’s very difficult to argue with Dane because he’s always so honest and witty and, well, right. Click the link to read the rest. We don’t want to put any more words in his mouth.
[Link: Marine Layer Productions via Stab Mag]
by The Editors on December 20, 2011
Stainless steel water bottle maker Mizu has announced today (December 20, 2011) that Ride Snowboards co-founder Tim Pogue is their new CEO, according to Mizu’s Jussi Oksanen.
“We’ve built the Mizu brand on a strong foundation in action sports with several industry partnerships and new pro bottles,” said Mizu founder, Jussi Oksanen. “Tim’s extensive experience with brands like Mizu will help us take the company to the next level in 2012.”
Sounds like exactly what the company needed. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 20, 2011
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Grant Taylor sums up what it’s like to win a Thrasher Magazine Skater Of The Year award pretty well.
[Link: Thrasher Magazine]
by The Editors on December 20, 2011
For the past year photographer Julian Bleecker has been documenting women skateboarding with the hope collecting the photo in a book titled, Hello, Skater Girl. Like many independent artists, he has turned to crowd source funding site Kickstarter to raise money for the project.
I’ve been working on this project since November of 2010 and plan on finishing by the end of 2011. I’ve already made two “prototype” books as a way to experiment with design, layout and to communicate my intent for the project and to test the way that the photography works within the context of a book.
With 11 days left in his Kickstarter project Bleecker is only $1,800.00 short of his $13,000 goal. If you’d like to support the book and the girls in it, click here. For a pledge of $60 you’ll get a 16 x 20 archival quality print plus a limited edition Kickstarter art edition book.
[Link: Hello, Skater Girl]
by The Editors on December 20, 2011
Artist Michael Sieben (of Internet Shack fame) believes Shaun White and Target have appropriated his original designs and used them without payment or attribution on Shaun White’s kids clothing line. Yesterday he used his Vice.com column Kill the Engine to outline the similarities between Target’s clothing and his art in a piece titled Who Shaun White Is. Here’s Sieben’s take away:
As a freelance graphic illustrator, it has always been my dream to land a large commercial account that would catapult my career into the mainstream collective conscious. And I think that these t-shirts might have just done that. . . BUT… I totally didn’t have to deal with filling out a bunch of contracts, or worry about invoices, and I for damn sure didn’t have to think about collecting royalties. And what would I have done with all of that money? Seems like a huge headache to me. So I got all of the benefit of having my imagery available at one of the largest retail outlets in the United States without having to deal with any of the financial benefits. Total win for me.
Yeah. Total win.
[Link: Vice.com]
by The Editors on December 20, 2011
An Sunday, December 18, 2011, while filming at Maverick’s for a movie on the life of big wave surfer Jay Moriarity, actor Gerard Butler (who plays Rick “Frosty” Hesson in the film) got tumbled through a two-wave hold down and took “five more on the head before being washed through the rocks on the inside,” according to a Frank Quirarte story on ESPN/Action.
Talking to Wormhoudt on the dock, he said they were all sitting on the inside when a large outside set came through, swung way to the south, caught them off-guard and mowed them all down.
Butler was taken to Stanford Medical Center for observation, but was on his feet on the dock before getting into the ambulance. Assuming he’s fine, it was probably great research for his role.
[Link: ESPN/Action and Surfline]
by The Editors on December 19, 2011
Good news for fan of the Vans waffle sole iPhone 4 case that’s been showing up all over the web lately. According to inside sources it’s the real deal. It’s ready for an official launch in mid-2012. Our source went on to say that a few select Vans stores will have them during the Holidays and they may be available in the Vans.com store. If you want one stay on it, they’re already showing up on ebay.
And yes, we’ll let you know if one magically shows up here. Don’t think we didn’t ask.
[Link: Vans]
by The Editors on December 19, 2011
Thierry Guetta a.k.a. Mr. Brainwash, the star of Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop, is back in Los Angeles with a new 80,000 square foot art exhibit titled Art Show 2011.
There will be a preview of the show on December 22nd beginning at 3pm. The first 300 people through the doors on the 22nd will receive a special edition print that will be numbered, hand-finished, thumb printed and signed by the artist. The show will officially open on December 25th and run through the 29th.* As usual, there will be free posters and postcards for everyone.
The show is located at 960 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038 and will likely be a spectacle, at best. For more info click the link.
[Link: Mr. Brainwash]
When we think of hard-charging snowboard boarder cross racers bumping and hopping down an icy race course, we don’t exactly think L.L. Bean. But it appears the Maine based maker of all things classically backwoodsy is trying to change that by signing up two-time Olympic Gold medalist Seth Wescott as a “brand ambassador.” Apparently: 
