by The Editors on December 7, 2011
Poor Pacific Sunwear. It appears they didn’t find anyone to help them pay the rent and are now going to be forced to close up to 200 stores in the coming 14 months, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.
In a deal announced with PacSun’s earnings Wednesday, Golden Gate Capital will receive the option to buy up to 19.9% of PacSun’s shares at a price of $1.75 in exchange for a five-year $60 million secured-term loan expected to help PacSun buy out leases and shutter struggling stores. Golden Gate will also receive two seats on PacSun’s board.
Sadly, this is the best news the street has heard from the company all year and it sent the company stock price rocketing up 37 percent in after hours trading to a whopping $1.85 a share, according to the story. Just think if they closed 400 stores.
[Link: Wall Street Journal]
by The Editors on December 7, 2011
DC Shoes announced today that they have brokered a deal with Mammoth Mountain that will allow the Huntington Beach, California footwear company to put logos all over the mountain’s Unbound terrain parks.
“The choice to work with DC is a no-brainer for Mammoth Unbound. We both share a commitment to the core athlete without sacrificing access to snow sports for new entrants. We couldn’t be more excited about what this partnership will bring to our terrain parks in both features and events,” said Mammoth Mountain Public Relations Specialist, Eric Meyers.
Mammoth’s snowboard parks are valuable real estate and apparently, DC is ready to pay up as well as outfit the park staff with shoes and snowboard boots. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 7, 2011
Truthfully, we’re still to busy rolling through all the Instagram photos from last night’s 2011 Surfer Poll Awards to really know anything other than that this years crop of attendees were hot, hotter, hottest. But we thought it would be good to at least mention who won: Kelly Slater took his 17th title and Carissa Moore took her first.
“The first one I won was in 1992,” says Kelly Slater. “I remember the cover shot was me, and it said Curren, Carroll, Potts’ names too. That was pretty mind-blowing at the time to win against those guys. Now I’m still inspired by the crew of guys coming up right now—Dane, Julian, Medina, John John.”
Current ASP women’s champ Carissa Moore seemed the most surprised:
“I’m still grasping the situation,” said a visibly shocked Carissa Moore, “but it’s amazing to win this award. It’s a great night in surfing and I’m so thankful for all my fans for voting for me.”
For all the other award winners and video awards (click here) or follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 7, 2011
Spy Optic president Michael Marckx continues on his march to reposition the company in a more forward facing directly. Yesterday afternoon he announced the hiring of from Patagonia Surf Shop instigator Devon Howard as marketing director for the company.
“Devon has deep California lifestyle roots, operational know-how, marketing savvy and meaningful relationships in our industry, which he has nurtured over his career,” says Marckx. “He is also really well liked and connected on so many levels, and not just in the surf world, but across the subcultures that make up our west coast lifestyle. I’ve seen Devon do great work on every level, smartly, with other good people. His unique blend of talents will unquestionably enhance our brand in myriad ways and help give shape to the new version of SPY he will help create with us.
For a little outside view on how this new version of Spy is being funded check out Jeff Harbaugh’s recent Market Watch column on Orange 21’s quarterly results. And to get more on Mr. Howard, follow the jump for the official word from Spy. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 7, 2011
Four years ago when we first saw the Kahuna Big Stick skateboard paddle we headlined out post: “Crutch For Old Skaters?” But then we realized that the skate paddle allowed for a stand-up-paddle style workout without having to drag one of those stand-up paddle barges to the nearest body of water.
Now, Kahuna is launching the Kahuna Snow Stick that allows snowboarders to get their “stand-up paddle on while on a snowboard.”
We are stoked to see this new sport come to life. There is something amazing about taking the thrill of stand-up paddling (pictured right) to the snow. Kahuna Creations is taking the sport from the water to the snow, and it is shocking how fun it is.
Or to put it our way: we’d be shocked if this was fun. Follow the jump for all the official details. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 5, 2011
Nothing makes holiday revelers feel older than knowing they’re going to a party that’s been going on longer than most snowboarders have been alive. On the other hand, the 19th Annual Black & White Holiday Gig shows just how deeply 686’s snow roots go.
A crowd of nicely dressed invited guests cued up in front of Hermosa Beach, California’s Club 705 at 8:30 PM Friday, December 2, 2011 waiting to be let in to the 19th Annual 686 Black & White Holiday Gig. On the curb, and drawing a crowd from randoms was the new 686 x Scion Ultimate snow car.
Once inside it was classic 686 black and white: photo booths, caricature artists, a taco guy, Peligroso shots, a DJ, and an open bar. 686’s Mike West ran the party all night long making sure everyone had exactly what they needed (and then some). Happy Holidays.
Follow the jump for more photos from the night. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 5, 2011
Peter Starrs, 24, a Seattle, Washington skateboarder who reportedly moved to San Francisco a year ago has died after crashing his motorcycle in the early hours of Saturday, December 3, 2011, according to a story on the SF Appeal.
Starrs lost control of the motorcycle and crashed at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday on the ramp connecting westbound Highway 80 to southbound Highway 101, according to the California Highway Patrol. . . He was ejected from the bike, and was thrown off the highway onto surface streets below, CHP Officer Tony Tam said.
Our thoughts are with Starrs’ family and friends.
[Link: SF Appeal]
by The Editors on December 5, 2011
Snowboarder Austin Smith is a man after our own hearts. After seeing the deluge of carbonated, caffeinated, high fructose corn sweetener pushers seemingly taking over the snowboarding sponsorship scene he did something about it. He and Bryan Fox began printing hoodies, t-shirts and stickers with a simple message: Drink Water.
Yobeat.com interviewed Smith to get the background on the entire effort.
Right now energy drinks are taking over the world and especially taking over the pastime of snowboarding. More than anything else, I don’t like what’s they’re selling. We’re reminding people of their alternative. . . Once I realized I was never going to snowboard for any energy drink company, no matter how much money they offered me, I wanted to respond in a positive way. Instead of doing nothing, I wanted to turn it around. It needed to be done.
And Smith and Fox are not alone. They already have Louif Paradis, Keegah Valaika, Scotty Wittlake, Curtis Ciszek, Jake OE, Scott Blum, Jake Kuzyk, and Josh Dirksen on the program. Click the link for the rest of the interview then visit the WeDrinkWater.com site to support the cause.
[Link: Yobeat.com]
by The Editors on December 5, 2011
For those still locked in the 90s and paying for cable TV, The 41st Annual Surfer Poll Awards show will air live on Time Warner Cable in Southern California and Hawaii on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.
The 2011 awards show, which will honor the world’s favorite 10 men and 5 women surfers, will take place at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii during the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Awards will also be presented for top video parts, movie of the year, and many other special awards for those who have made an impact in the world of professional surfing this year and years past.
Follow the jump for the official schedule and channel listings. The rest of us will do it the old fashion way and watch it online by clicking here. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on December 5, 2011
TMZ is reporting that someone is shopping around nude (naked) photos of Shaun White reportedly taken at a hotel party in 2009.
Now, at least two of the pics have surfaced … one featuring Shaun making out with a hot blonde chick in front of other people … with their clothes on. . . The other pic shows Shaun with the same woman — sans clothes — in the middle of a missionary-style embrace on a bed … with Shaun grinning at the direction of the camera.
So far it appears no one has paid for them. Oddly, we’re not really looking forward to these photos again. Are you?
[Link: TMZ]
Poor Pacific Sunwear. It appears they didn’t find anyone to help them pay the rent and are now going to be forced to close up to 200 stores in the coming 14 months, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.
