by The Editors on January 28, 2008
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune Dane Williams, 23, a Hurley International marketing department worker has gone missing.
Dane Chandler Williams was last seen at Sixth and K streets leaving the Hard Rock Hotel around 2 a.m. Saturday, according to San Diego police Sgt. Garry Collins. . . . Williams is from the Los Angeles area and in town for the Action Sports Retailers trade show. He did not return to his hotel room after leaving the restaurant, nor did he show up for work at the convention the next day, Collins said.
While police do not suspect foul play, Dane’s friends say it is very unlike him to miss work or be out of contact. Anyone who has seen him should call the San Diego police at (619) 531-2000.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune and Surfline.com]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
Ryan Zepaltas is a 30-year-old skateboarder who is making tasty Pinots in Sonoma, according to a story in the Contra Costa Times.
He bought his first fruit in 2004. It was Syrah, from Gary Franscioni and his famed Rosella’s Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Zepaltas says he was scared to ask him. Franscioni was wondering why he hadn’t asked sooner. With the prized grapes, Zepaltas made 40 cases of viscous and velvety chocolate-covered Syrah. He didn’t intend to release it. It just sort of happened.
After all, wine is just art that gets you buzzed, right? Check it out for yourself at Zepaltaswinse.com.
[Link: Contra Costa Times]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
The Voice of San Diego interviews Dorian Paskowitz about his life, health and Surfing For Peace:
Sit back and hold on tight. Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz is telling stories. The 86-year-old is weaving tales of Israeli belly dancers, broken hearts and bomb blasts over the Red Sea. But first, a bit about the doctor. He was born in Galveston, Texas, grew up at Mission Beach, lives in Dana Point and started the area’s first surf camp at San Onofre. He’s made several trips to promote surfing between Israelis and Palestinians, hoping to plant the seeds for a less violent Middle East. The movement he’s founded, called Surfing for Peace, has attracted the support of eight-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater, who has Syrian ancestry. He takes surfboards and Slater provides lessons, with one aim: Finding a way to bridge the gap between two warring peoples.
[Link: Voice of San Diego]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
With the cornball headline “Feats on Snowboard Keep Skateboard Star Warm” the Washington Post does it’s duty to cover the X Games.
“There’s always something to look forward to,” said White, who will compete in X Games 12 today in the snowboarder X, snowboard slopestyle and snowboard big air, along with the snowboard superpipe tomorrow.
“Those summer months are reeeal good,” he continued. “But then you hear about all your friends being up in the mountain, it’s a nice change. But definitely by the end of the winter, I’m over it and want to get on that skateboard and be in the sun.”
Asked which sport he enjoyed more, White leaned more toward skateboarding. But he would focus only on skateboarding if it becomes an Olympic sport. If that happened, White said he would take a year off to focus on it entirely.
[Link: Washington Post]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
He has a new album coming out on February 5, 2008 so that means Jack Johnson is on the media tour, including an interview with Newsweek where he said the following regarding his EniroRider:
The rider covers not just what’s in your dressing room, which is what most people know about the rider. It has more to do with stage specifications. It could cover anything from low-energy lighting to requesting biodiesel in any generators that have to be used. I think this time around we’re going to try to see what can be requirements for the venues. There are certain venues that contacted us after the last tour and said they’d made a lot of changes. It’s nice to hear that the tour does have an effect on people and trying to better their venues.
Green it up, little darling, green it up. . .
[Link: Newsweek]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
It’s always fun to read America’s Favorite City’s media coverage of their own twice-annual action sports spectacle, so here it is: they say we’ve all grown up.
Surf and skate fashions aren’t just for kids anymore. . . . Big-name brands looking to tap into an older, more affluent market are offering clothing lines with more muted tones and more sophisticated fits – a big contrast from the bright colors and ’80s silhouettes that are in vogue for the younger action sports set.
We think they may have missed the VeeCo booth.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
From Boardsport Source:
After six incredible years of hard work and effort put into the successful creation of the TTR, on Thursday the 24th of January 2008, Drew Stevenson tendered his resignation from his position as CEO of the Swatch TTR World Snowboard Tour.
[Link: Boardsport Source]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
Shaun White has signed a new 10-year deal with Burton Snowboards.
Shaun White had this to say about the deal, “I started riding for Burton when I was seven years old and Jake’s support has always been there. We have some big plans for The White Collection and I can’t think of a better home for me for the future. Thanks again, Jake!”
Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton Snowboards, had this to say, “Where do I even begin to comment on Shaun? Of course, I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him for another decade. I’ve watched Shaun grow up from a little grom who wasn’t afraid to push himself in the halfpipe to one of the most recognized athletes in all of action sports. I mean, to be such a talented rider and skateboarder and to contend in every competition you enter is pretty insane. But, if you think Shaun’s riding is impressive, you should check out his design skills. His products are fresh, functional and loaded with style, just like his riding.”
But the big question: was this a $20 million dollar deal? Or was it for more? We’ll have to wait and see. It is interesting to note that this contract will take Shaun through the next three winter and summer Olympics. Follow the jump for the entire press release.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
In the world of action sports Bnqt.com has been a bit of an outsider. Founded by a former AOL Sports-man, the site featured viral video of action sports along with a user-generated content community. Though the site never gained any traction, recognition, or significant traffic, it was still acquired by USA Today for an undisclosed amount of money.
“USA TODAY’s acquisition of Banquet is another example of the innovative ways we are trying to diversify our audience,” said Craig Moon, president and publisher of USA TODAY. “We believe that action sports are a dynamic and exciting category and that we have found an excellent stand alone brand which truly resonates with the youth audience.”
This purchase shows how desperate old media is to get involved with “the kids.” And to think, Time Warner sold their “action sports” sites a little less than a year ago. Then again, this certainly gives us hope. . .
[Link: CNNMoney.com]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
California’s Central Coast now has it’s own surf movie about it’s own surfers with music from its own bands, thanks to filmaker Trevor Povah’s Lost in the Middle.
There’s kind of like this gap between Southern California and Northern California,” he said. “You have your Southern California industry with everything south of Santa Barbara and Ventura —San Clemente, San Diego and that whole surf scene. And then you kind of have the same thing going on in the Santa Cruz area, with a bunch of pros coming out of there and a bunch of film that has been produced.”
Povah’s idea: make a quality film featuring not only local surfers, but also local waves and music.
[Link: San Luis Obispo.com]
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune Dane Williams, 23, a Hurley International marketing department worker has gone missing.
