by The Editors on August 23, 2011
Tim van Heerden, a 49-year-old surfer from Plettenberg Bay, South Africa died from injuries after he was attacked by what may have been a great white shark, according to a story on Bloomberg.
Van Heerden was surfing off Lookout Beach near the Keurbooms river mouth and was with a large group of surfers, Craig Lambinon, a spokesman for the National Sea Rescue Institute, said in an interview on his mobile phone. Van Heerden appears to have been bitten in the groin area and the femoral artery may have been severed, Lambinon said, adding that an autopsy will be performed.
According to a story in the Sun UK, Heerden saw the shark coming in and was able to shout a warning to other surfers in the area. “But he couldn’t save himself as the beast attacked, first biting him at the top of the leg, then pulling him underwater before biting him again.”
Our thoughts are with Heerden’s family and friends.
[Link: Bloomberg and Sun UK]
by The Editors on August 22, 2011
by The Editors on August 22, 2011
by The Editors on August 22, 2011
Russell Surfboard’s founder Robert “Russell” Brown has died at Hoag Hospital, according to a story in the Orange County Register. He was 63.
Brown has been shaping boards since 1967, and still to this day his shop near the Newport Pier is reminiscent of an old-school surf shop – not taken over by the latest surf clothing brands or accessories – but simply surfboards, lining every inch of the walls.
According to photographer Tom Cozad, Russell was found dead on Saturday, August 20, 2011:
“No other surfboard manufacturer has had a grip on the Newport surf culture as long, or as strong, as Bobby “Russell” Brown and his Russell Surfboards has. The older Blackies crew can be found cruising on his boards. The younger Upper Jetties crew can be found flying around on them. And the Underground Point and School Yards crews can be found pulling into pits throughout the world on them. No one person has transcended the vast array of Newport surf crews over the years like Russell has.
Our thoughts are with Brown’s family and friends.
[Link: OC Register]
by The Editors on August 22, 2011
by The Editors on August 22, 2011
Weezy appears to be on the skateboard tip pretty hard these days. We saw him at Skatepark of Tampa earlier this month, and now according to a story on TMZ Lil Wayne has nine stitches in his head.
Weezy was treated at a local hospital — and one witness told a local TV station the rapper was accompanied by several members of his entourage. According to the hospital, Wayne was treated and released.
Looks like he’s learning the truth: skateboarding hurts.
[Link: TMZ]
by The Editors on August 21, 2011
by The Editors on August 21, 2011
Stance has added another artist to their Fall 2011 Artist Series with a collection of socks in collaboration with Kid Creature.
Calvin Saxton, a.k.a. Kid Creature, is a 11 year old kid with a huge love for life. His early childhood was hampered by severe allergies and asthma. Calvin used to plead that his parent let him surf because he actually felt much better and healthier when he was in the water. He’s been in the water ever since, becoming an avid surfer, which helps tremendously in those bouts with asthma.
Cal donates 10 percent of the profits from Kid Creature to help fight cycstic fibrosis, so buying his Stance socks will send some money to a good cause. For all the details, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on August 21, 2011
The first round of the Billabong Pro Tahiti gave ASP surfers a little warning shot of how big Teahupoo could be during the finals at the end of the week. Most of the favorites made it through the first round, aside from ASP points leader Joel Parkinson who was sent to round two by CJ Hobgood in heat 8.
“The wind got good which allows you to push it a little further up the point and the waves turned on,” Hobgood said. “I’d like to take a little bit of credit, but the ocean did a lot of work out there. Joel (Parkinson) had a wave that could have been a 10 if he had come out so they’re definitely out there.”
Kelly Slater saved his win for the last two minutes of the heat when, as he has done so many times before, he took off, stall, got covered and got exactly what he needed to the lead in heat 6 from Dan Ross and local wildcard Heiari Williams.
“I wanted to get the deep south ones,” Slater said. “I’d seen enough of those ones in the earlier heats to think they were out there. I got a few small ones that didn’t work out. I was a bit greedy and trying to stay in the barrel a bit longer than I should have. Rossy (Dan Ross) got pushed up the point and I was fortunate to bag a wide one and that made the difference.”
For the rest of the official ASP details, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on August 20, 2011
Just as his video part in World Industries‘ It’s Your World was about to drop we get word that Jani Laitiala is no longer with the company.
“Working with Jani has been fun. He is a great skateboarder and I wish him and his family all the best.” said World Industries Team Manager Charlie Thomas. “I look forward to seeing him at upcoming events and hearing where he ends up.”
And no, if you’re wondering, Laitiala’s footage will not be included in the World video release, but they hope to see “Jani put out his footage through his own efforts in the near future.” Follow the jump for the official release. [click to continue…]
