by The Editors on November 18, 2010
A shockingly well-done version of the cover of Sports Illustrated has been making the rounds today. It features Kelly Slater winning his Perfect 10 in Puerto Rico with the words “The World’s Most Dominant Surfer and The Amazing Story of Why it Took So Long To Feature Him On Our Cover.”
And there is more: the issue also reportedly features a story on Andy Irons titled “Farewell To A Legend,” a piece on the History of Surfing “from Duke to Kalohe,” and a story on the women of surfing and “why they rock.”
At first glance, through surf jaded eyes, it almost looks real—especially for those who still read print. But with a closer look it becomes obvious that even Sports Illustrated would never run an “Ultimate Surfing Issue” because the truth is, the jocks just don’t care.
by The Editors on November 18, 2010
According to our logs several Boardistan.com visitors each day use Apple’s magical and revolutionary iPad device. And to reward them we have created the “Our iBallz Your iPad” contest. iBallz are an ingeniously simple way to protect an iPad (or other tablet device) from damage due to drops, spills, and/or the hazards of daily digital life. They also work great as a stand to prop an iPad up at the perfect angle for doing work.
While we may have been the first action sports company to announce content compatibility with the new device, we still don’t have iPads incorporated into our current Boardistan workflow. That’s why we created a contest especially for those techno trailblazers who do. The rules are simple. Send us a photo of an iPad with the Boardistan.com site up and on screen and if we choose it as the winner we’ll send you a set of iBallz.
The photos can be compelling, ridiculous, outrageous, shocking, silly, or stupid, the only requirements are that the photo features an iPad with Boardistan.com up on the screen. The rest is up to you. Simply click here to email the photo.
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by The Editors on November 17, 2010
ESPN just listed the athletes who have been “invited” to their made-for-TV snow sports entertainment festival Winter X Games 15 scheduled for January 27 – 30, 2011 in Aspen, Colorado and Shaun White’s name is not on the list.
We’re not up on the latest TV industry gossip, so we really have no reason to comment other than to say that it seems rude not to invite a gold medalist back. Maybe Shaun’s representatives and ESPN have yet to come to terms on how much he should be paid for appearing on this winter’s episode of the action sports TV series.
A source familiar with the situation said, “It’s not that he wasn’t invited, it’s just that he’s not yet confirmed.”
Luckily, Scotty Lago, Tim Humphreys, and Sebastien Toutant are apparently confirmed. Not to suggest that it will increase the chances of our watching any of the events.
[Editors’ Note: The page headline has been updated to read “WX15 confirmed athletes,” however, Shaun White’s name is still obviously missing from the list.]
[Link: ESPN.com/Action]
by The Editors on November 17, 2010
by The Editors on November 17, 2010
A recently released report by the US Forest Service titled The Effects of Climate Change on Lake Tahoe in the 21st Century: Meteorology, Hydrology, Loading and Lake Response suggests that the shred industry in the Lake Tahoe area could be up for extremely hard times in the future, according to a story in the New York Times.
Iconic Lake Tahoe could see its regional snowpack decline by as much as 60 percent over the next century, with increased floods more likely around 2050 and prolonged droughts closer to 2100, according to a new report from scientists who have studied the lake for decades. . . Such predictions could mean bankruptcy for ski destinations that surround the lake, including the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley USA. Squaw Valley and other resorts are an accessible stop for skiers throughout the West and the heavily populated California coast.
Guess that means we all better hit up Tahoe a little more this season.
[Link: New York Times]
by The Editors on November 17, 2010
Consolidated Skateboard’s Steve “Birdo” Guisinger (pictured right with Leticia Ruano) gets the local hero profile treatment on Santacruz.com and uses it to kick off their Don’t Do It Foundation. The non-profit organization is dedicated to supporting local core shops.
“It’s message,” Guisinger says. “’Keep the surf skate and snowboard industry in the hands of those that are passionate about it.’” . . . “If all you have is a mall or sporting goods chain in your town, we ask that you don’t support them, and instead order from a skater owned, online store,” it says. . . Guisinger sees it as a simple choice. “The only way for local stores to survive is to drive mall chains out of business,” he explains. “So we want people at whatever cost to not support the mall chain. You vote with your money. If you go to the mall chains, you’re only empowering them. Go to your local skate shop. If you don’t have a local skate shop, buy online from a local company.”
It appears a lot can be done by not doing something.
[Link: Santacruz.com]
by The Editors on November 17, 2010
Laguna Beach, California’s 210 AR4T Space will host an opening reception for Jamie Lynn and Friends’ ABC’s and 123 show on November 20, 2010 at 6 PM. The new show features works created specifically for children by Jamie Lynn, Bryan Iguchi, Ben Brough, and Brennan Coyle.
For our first Christmas in Laguna Beach, 210 AR4T Space and The JLA Project have commandeered the help of artist and legendary snowboarder Jamie Lynn to transform the gallery into a wonderland of art created especially for children. . . 210 AR4T Space will be home to a living children’s book full of letters, numbers, characters, color, and poetry.
The show runs November 20 through December 24, 2010. 210 AR4T Space is located at 210 North Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, California. Remember to bring the kids. . .
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by The Editors on November 17, 2010
Billabong’s Canadian core mall retailer West 49 is wrapping up its 8th Annual Coats For Kids program on November 28, 2010. Anyone who donates a used coat or jacket can get $25 off a new coat or snowboard jacket in the store, according to a story on Baytoday.com. And so far the program has given away a lot of jackets to the needy.
For seven years West 49 customers have consistently delivered strong community support by donating coats for kids who don’t have adequate winter clothing. To date more than 60,000 kids have received winter coats as a result of this initiative. . . “Our customers are aware of the important role they play in helping us meet our target for coats. In partnering with local charitable organizations we have an excellent opportunity to be proactive in helping less fortunate families,” said Cindy Mielke, Director of Marketing for West 49. “We surpassed our goal last year by almost 5,000 coats, we are sure we can collect and distribute even more coats to help kids stay warm this winter and are challenging our customers with a goal of 15,000 coats nationally for 2010.”
Yes. Action mall retailers can make a difference.
[Link: Baytoday]
by The Editors on November 17, 2010
In spite of Tony Hawk’s recent media blitz (including the high-profile Stand Up For Skateparks events and book launch) his new Tony Hawk Shred video game had a pretty dismal first week on sale, according to a story on GamesIndustry.biz.
The most recent multiformat Tony Hawk title from Activision has had a disastrous launch in the US, selling only 3000 units in its first week in October.
GameFocus.ca is already calling it a “commercial failure.” But we wouldn’t know because we (like most in the media) have not even played the new game.
[Link: GamesIndustry.biz and GameFocus.ca]
by The Editors on November 17, 2010
According to a recent study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research and reported in Time Magazine college students who drink more than 52 energy drinks “like Red Bull and Monster” each year are more likely to have problems with alcohol than students who don’t drink any of the caffeinated sugar water drinks:
These high-frequency energy drink consumers were also more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol dependence, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Compared with students who abstained from using energy drinks, the high-frequency users were 2.4 times more likely to be considered alcohol dependent; compared with the low-frequency group, they were 86% more likely.
Researchers weren’t sure if the data went the other way, however, as students may use the energy drinks to “overcome the affects of hangovers.” Either way, it reminds us of something a skate team manager said when we accidentally kicked over a can of Monster at a recent skate contest: “No worries,” he said. “You just saved some kid’s life.”
[Link: Time.com]
A shockingly well-done version of the cover of Sports Illustrated has been making the rounds today. It features Kelly Slater winning his Perfect 10 in Puerto Rico with the words “The World’s Most Dominant Surfer and The Amazing Story of Why it Took So Long To Feature Him On Our Cover.”
