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.
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…]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Virginia Beach, Virginia’s Trevor Colden (middle) edged Luke Hampton (left) and Evan Smith (right) to take the 2011 Tampa Am at the Skate Park of Tampa today (December 4, 2011). The rest of the results looked like this:
1. Trevor Colden
2, Luke Hampton
3. Evan Smith
4. Louie Lopez
5. Shawn Hale
6. Kevin Romar
7. Jeffrey Marshall
8. Ishod Wair
9. Chase Webb
10. Brodie Penrod
11. Tyson Bowerbank
12. Tommy Fynn
Follow the jump for the Best Trick results rest of the Awards: [click to continue…]
In front of 13,000 spectators who would probably do almost anything to get out of another afternoon at the factory, Norway’s Ulrik Badertscher whipped out a bs Indy grabbed 1260 Rodeo to take home an unknown about of US cash and 1,000 in Ticket To Ride points at the Oakley Shaun White Air & Style Beijing on December 3, 2011. Torstein Horgmo and Staale Sandbech finished second and third for a Norway podium clean up.
Air & Style’s Andrew Hourmont was over the moon:
“What a night: Spectacular sports, a crowd full of enthusiasm and great entertainment. That was a true Air & Style performance tonight at one of the world´s most beautiful stadiums. We are proud to have once again proven to be the world´s premier snowboarding stadium event. The emotion and interest we have encountered here from the media and the people shows that snowboarding is on the right track to become one of the major sports adored and followed by the passionate Chinese youth.”
Follow the jump for the official word and full results.
John John Florence, 19, grabbed the Vans World Cup at Sunset against Michel Bourez, Adam Melling, and Hank Gaskell and took the lead in the 2011 Vans Triple Crown on Friday, December 2, 2011.
“This is my first 6 star Prime win, it’s at home, it’s one of my home breaks and all my family and friends are here, so it’s one of the best moments of my life, for sure. It means everything. I’ve watched these guys since I was so little growing up here and coming to events when I was six years old, getting their autographs.”
For the official word and complete results follow the jump. [click to continue…]
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.
