by The Editors on May 6, 2008
John Ricciardi an unemployed former gardener from Ocean City, New Jersey is hoping to change the world of action sports by creating the Action Sports Association. You know, like Little League for skateboarders. Some may remember him from a message he posted to Malakye.com two years ago. Apparently, Ricciardi is still at it.
Seeking to promote the building of new facilities, Ricciardi teamed up with the Rutgers business school and has embarked on a bid to organize the sport and become the latest entrepreneur to carve out a niche in a $5 billion industry. . . . Ricciardi envisions a federation of school and community X-treme sports programs under the umbrella of the Action Sports Association, a nonprofit organization he has created to generate support for nontraditional athletic activities, such as skateboarding, BMX biking, roller blading and rock climbing.
And we envision another sad man who will spend thousands of hours (and dollars) figuring out that skateboarders do not want to be organized. But of course, Ricciardi is driven. So he won’t listen to anyone. And, maybe he’ll get some free gear out of all of this.
[Link: NJ.com]
by The Editors on May 5, 2008
We’re not so down with big money leaches rolling in to skateboarding simply because it “looks like easy pickin’s,” so it’s interesting reading Carleton Curtis’ interview with Maloof Big Money Cup‘s Joe Maloof.
The Maloof family—the ridiculously wealthy owners of the Sacramento Kings and the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, with no connections to skateboarding—announced almost two years ago that they’d be financing the richest skate contest in our history. It’s safe to say our B.S. meter rocketed off the charts. But two years’ worth of careful planning and expert advice later, The Maloof Money Cupis poised to be one of the most watchable events in recent memory.
We’re not saying we agree, but the interview is well-worth reading.
[Link: Skateboarding.com]
by The Editors on May 5, 2008
According to a post on Hypebeast, this new skateboarding documentary will be something everyone will want to see: especially skaters from the NYC.
Deathbowl to Downtown, a movie made by NCP Film, is a documentary about the history of skateboarding in New York City. With promises to be an unprecedented film, the documentary not only explore the culture of street skating, but also provides an anthropological overview of skating’s shift from the 70’s to modern day. It also digs into broader issues such as how urban planning changes the environment of skaters and how skateboarders went from being ignored to being loved. With never-before-seen footage and interviews ranging from old school skaters to current innovators, Deathbowl to Downtown is definitely a film worth watching.
[Link: Hypebeast]
by The Editors on May 5, 2008
Chuck Menzel, the founder of Wetsand.com has sold the wave forecasting portion of his business to the Wasserman Media Group for an undisclosed sum, according to a Josh Hunter story on TransworldBusiness.com. He has, however, retained ownership of the Wetsand store front and commerce site.
It’s the creative side of it that we really wanted to maintain, and I’m still creatively in control of the site, as far as keeping it on track with content and credibility,” he says.
Menzel has been looking for buyers for his popular site for more than a year, and we’re guessing being a part of Sportnet (which also includes action sports sites: surfspot.com, motocross.com, 411vm.com, newschollers.com, skateboard.com and sk8site.com) is going to be a great fit. Especially, as surfspot.com continues to grow its traffic.
[Link: Transworld Business]
by The Editors on May 5, 2008
The body of John M. Wagner, 43, was found in the water about 20 miles south of Ventura yesterday.
Federal park rangers found the body of a missing surfer from San Diego on Friday, several hours after he had disappeared while surfing near Santa Cruz Island. . . A spokesman for the Coast Guard said friends of Wagner reported they had been surfing with him near Santa Cruz Island about 5 p.m., when he went underwater for unknown reasons.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on May 5, 2008
According to Radar Online the Bam sex tape that was reported by The New York Post’s Page Six does not exist and we are relieved.
In what’s likely more indicative of a legal threat and a slow news day than a dedication to accuracy, Page Six admits today that an alleged sex tape featuring the fiancée of Gregg “Opie” Hughes (of radio’s Opie and Anthony) and MTV’s Bam Margera does not, in fact, exist. Steppin’ Out magazine’s Chaunce Hayden is assigned the blame for providing the Post with bogus info.
Phew!
[Link: Radar Online]
by The Editors on May 5, 2008
Andy Tompkins, the former show director of the Action Sports Retailer has moved over to a new job as show director at Interbike.
Lance Camisasca of Lifeboat Solutions (Interbike’s industry consultantancy), will continue to manage Interbike’s bicycle advocacy efforts and provide input and guidance to Tompkins and Joe Flynn on the strategic development of Interbike shows.
Since both shows are owned by Nielsen Business Media, it’s kind of like getting a new office.
[Link: Bike Biz]
by The Editors on May 2, 2008
According to Investerms :
Volcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: VLCM) shares are soaring more than 25% midday Thursday on practically five times trading volume after first quarter results and an analyst price target upgrade.
The California-based clothing and accessory maker that sells products under the brand Volcom has added more than $100 million in market capitalization after reporting a 70.4% increase in first quarter net income. Net income rose to $9.3 million, or 38 cents per share, from $5.5 million, or 22 cents per share, on a 58.5% increase in revenues. Even with this drastic sales growth, Volcom managed to increase gross profit slightly to 52.4% from 52%.
Sometimes we’re glad we don’t own Volcom stock, and other times (like today) we’re bummed.
[Link: Investerms]
by The Editors on May 2, 2008
Crimson Skateboards, Inc and Kris Markovich have decided to part ways under amicable terms. Sam Uisprapassorn, part owner of Crimson Skateboards stated that the parties agreed to go their separate ways after disagreements developed over the operations and direction of the company.
“I wish Kris and his team all the best in the future, but it was time for us to go our separate ways.” Crimson Skateboards will continue to be distributed by Arthouse Skateboard Distribution, Inc. stated Uisprapassorn.
Please direct all inquires to Sam Uisprapassorn via email: sam@arthousedist.com or 949-650-5228.
by The Editors on May 1, 2008
According to a Marcus Sanders story on Surfline:
San Francisco surfer Adrian Ruiz, 26, was attacked and killed by a shark while surfing at Troncones in Mainland Mexico on Monday afternoon. . . According to local paper Despertar de la Costa, the shark bit him on the right thigh, left a 15-inch wound, and he died from blood loss. He was about 300 yards offshore when attacked, and the situation was aggravated by a lack of emergency services at the beach.
[Link: Surfline.com]
