Gilmore Retains ASP Women’s World No. 1 Spot With Roxy Pro Gold Coast Win

It’s about that time when we transition over from the cold snowboard season to the hot and sometimes unpredictable surf season.  So move over snowboarders who have been stealing all the limelight away from everyone for the three to four months.  It’s time to hang up your boots and give the rest of us the mediocre insider attention we are all used to.  Everyone is tired of see you all on shows like the Tonight Show and Oprah.  Well not me.  I love it. I think you guys are on the rise and will soon reach the likes of a Zac Hanson and Zac Efron.  That would be awesome.

So it is now time for everyone else in their own respective sports to continue their dominance.  Stephanie Gilmore understands what I am talking about (maybe). She has a vice like grip on the rest of her field winning the opening event of the ASP Women’s World Championship.   The reigning three-time ASP Women’s World Champion and defending event winner, has taken out the 2010 Roxy Pro Gold Coast in punchy two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks over fellow Finalist Melanie Bartels (HAW), 27.

The opening event of the 2010 ASP Women’s World Tour season, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast enjoyed an exciting final day of competition, culminating in Gilmore’s emphatic win in front of a raucous hometown crowd.

In a déja vu version of last year’s event, the Australian and Hawaiian squared off once again in the Final, with Gilmore taking the win and the dream start to her 2010 campaign for a fourth ASP Women’s World Title.

“It’s definitely a dream start,” Gilmore said. “I didn’t really expect to win here. The waves weren’t so great. I definitely didn’t put in as incredible performance as I would have wanted to, and I’m sure Mel (Bartels) has the same feeling, but at the end of the day, I’m happy to win – that’s awesome!”

Today’s win marks the 3rd win on the Gold Coast for the young Australian (2005, 2009, 2010), giving the natural-footer the record for most event wins at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

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Posted in Surf | Tags: ASP, Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stephanie Gilmore — | No Comments »

Story Of The Double Cork

What came first?  The chicken or the egg?  This one question symbolizes a quandary that has been boggling the greatest philosophical minds for thousands of years.  It’s also a question that evokes thoughts on how life and the universe began.  Most common answers can be refuted, thus creating a perpetual and endless debate. I believe the Greek philosopher said it best when he concluded both always existed.  “If there has been a first man he must been born without father or mother – which is repugnant to nature.  For there could not have been a first egg to give a beginning to birds, or there should have been a first bird which gave a beginning to eggs; for a bird comes from an egg..”

Did you find that confusing?  Well so did many people up until another great mind, Charles Darwin developed his theory on evolution rendering the chicken/egg debate pretty much useless.  Things evolve all the time.  We wouldn’t have today’s street wear without CROSS COLORS. There would be no CRISS ANGEL if not for SIGFRIED & ROY.  And without a doubt, there would be no WEBSTER if we were never introduced to ARNOLD JACKSON.  Evolution will continue to prosper.

The same can be said for extreme sport maneuvers.  As tricks evolve, us in the world of extreme enthusiasm must come up with new and clever names.  Good thing we have Paul Higgins from the Asian X Games to come up with brand new names on the spot.  And that includes tricks that already have names.

It would have been inconceivable decades ago that snowboarders would be doing what is known today as the Cork Halfpipe tick.  Now imagine how those of the past would react to seeing a Double Cork, which is twice as crazy.

Our friends at FRENDS Amp Energy have come together to put their thoughts on the evolution on this one trick.  It’s complicated, it’s spectacular, it’s SASSY!  Check out the video  below.

Check out more video over at the AMP ENERGY YouTube site.

Posted in Snowboard | Tags: Amp Energy Drink, Danny Davis, Double Cork, Frends, Kevin Pearce, Luke Mitrani, Scotty Lago — | No Comments »

Element And Plan B Are “Together As One”

These guys are excited to team up with Element

Conglomerates are the merging of two or more corporations to form a larger business entity.  To me, there is nothing better in business than the formation of a bigger and better product.  A few years ago, 3 companies came together to form one of the biggest multi company deals ever inked.  It turned out to be a huge success.  So huge that Lat34 was once part of this company until they decided that the conglomerate no longer worked and pulled huge sums of money from our budget. So I guess I just contradicted myself since this company, which LAT34 was once part of, no longer exists.  But honestly, conglomerates do work out a good percentage of the time.

Going back a few years ago, RAVE DANCES were part of the underground party scene.  I often talk about SHINY SHIRT parties on this site but raves had nothing to do with those clubs.  They were cooler, happier and much more on the “real” side.  Back in 1999, two rave promotion companies decided to make a monumental decision.  They thought that instead of competing against one another on new year’s eve, why not create a super rave dance for where everyone can come together.  They called that event TOGETHER AS ONE.  It was the merging of Go Ventures and Insomniac; two of the greatest rave dance promotion companies to ever live.  Eleven years later, they are still around stronger than ever, charging 5 X as much, and filling bigger venues.  These parties once took place in small abandoned buildings and now take up the entire LA Sports Arena.  So to you all I grant you a P.L.U.R.  For those of you who don’t know what that stands for, I suggest you look it up and LIVE by it!

Another huge conglomerate has now come along, except this one isn’t so much in the happy business, but the EXTREME business.  I hope that their success is as long lived as Together As One’s success.  Billabong International Limited today announced it has entered an exclusive 10-year agreement to license the California-based skateboard brand Plan B. Plan B will operate out of the Element headquarters in Irvine, CA

Element’s Founder and President Johnny Schillereff said “The Billabong group’s unwavering support has helped Element blaze the trails we’ve always dreamed of. Plan B is iconic and deep within the fabric of skateboarding and we couldn’t be happier to unite with them.

Professional skateboarders and team riders Danny Way and Colin McKay will continue to ride for and own Plan B Skateboards. Vice President Tom Jones will continue to oversee the brand and team which includes Paul Rodriguez, Ryan Sheckler, PJ Ladd and Pat Duffy.

We are very excited to bring the Plan B family to The Billabong group and form this new skate distribution group with Element,” says Colin McKay. “Billabong and Element clearly understand brand building. Danny, the team and I couldn’t be happier with the opportunity to leverage their strengths and help Plan B reach its full potential.”

Posted in Skate | Tags: Element, Paul Rodriguez, PJ Ladd Pat Duffy, Plan B, Rave, Ryan Sheckler, Together As One — | No Comments »

Rob Dyrdek Creating Skateboard League

Us in the STREET SKATEBOARDING world have been feeling a little left out lately.  As we are either tuning in, logging on, or flipping through, we are standing by watching our SNOWBOARD colleagues receive all these accolades month after month.  Sure we have the spring to summer to show the world what we’ve got with multiple events of our own, but nothing to the level these snowboarders are getting.  Well as far as I see it, second place is the first loser and I don’t want to be the loser of anything.  Unless I was on the hit reality series THE BIGGEST LOSER, that would be an honor.  We need to come together to reclaim our spot on top of the HILL OF EXTREMENESS.

Just like the rest of you though, I’m way to lazy to do anything about it.  Good thing we have great role models like Rob Dyrdek to make the changes we need to the SPORT of skateboarding.  Beginning this month, street skating enthusiasts should soon notice a significant change and addition to Professional Street skating competitions in 2010. Conceived within the televised walls of Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, his very own Street League™ is becoming a reality where 24 hand-picked pro street skaters will enter into exclusive contracts and compete in a 3-stop tour of street contests later this year. With customized concrete street plazas, a real-time scoring system, a hefty prize purse, televised shows of the tour, and much more, Dyrdek’s Street League™ could very well become the “next level” that competitive skateboarding and fans are looking for.

The possibilities for this idea are endless.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, Rob will be able to come out with hot new street skating ATTIRE, which can represent the uniforms each team will sport.  Each team can have a corporate sponsor, just how NASCAR has huge corporate logos all over their cars.  I will definitely be a fan of whichever team is sponsored by VIAGRA.  And best of all, these events will be formatted in a team fashion.  I have always wanted to be part of a team.  I obviously can’t partake in this now since I’m too out of shape, but at least I can cheer on my favorite team and hopefully there will be CHEERLEADERS on the sidelines as well.

Stay tuned as the official website and details roll out soon.

Posted in Skate | Tags: Rob Dyrdek, Skate Plaza, Skateboard League — | 1 Comment »

Kevin Pearce Update: 3.5.10

DENVER, CO (March 3, 2010)- Kevin Pearce, Snowboarder and Norwich, VT native continues to improve and impress his Craig Hospital therapy team and his family.

Alan H. Weintraub, MD, Kevin’s rehabilitation physician at Craig Hospital, http://www.craighospital.org, and the Medical Director of Craig’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program and the TBI Rocky Mt. Regional System of Care said, “We could not be more delighted and inspired by Kevin’s progress.

Kevin’s treatment team has completed our comprehensive neuro-rehabilitation evaluation, and Kevin is actively engaged in a TBI treatment program, specially tailored to his needs. Kevin is in many therapeutic activities, including occupational therapy, speech/language, physical therapy, counseling, and aquatics therapy. Due to his consistent hard work, his walking, short-term memory, and stamina are all improving.  Kevin’s progress is very encouraging.”

Kevin’s parents are also very pleased with Kevin’s progress and the treatment he is receiving at Craig. Kevin’s mother Pia states, “We are very grateful to have the opportunity to be at Craig Hospital. Kevin’s rehab is our family’s highest priority right now.  We are confident that he is in excellent hands here at Craig.  We appreciate being able to be so involved and are thrilled to experience Kevin’s remarkable progress.”

Kevin’s Facebook Fan page, Well Wishes to our Frend Kevin Pearce, is still the preferred site for people posting their get-well wishes and sharing their stories. All cards and letters for Kevin can now be sent to him at Craig Hospital:

Kevin Pearce
Craig Hospital
3425 S Clarkson St
Englewood, CO.  80113
For media inquires please contact Danielle Burch at 212.529.1598 and/or danielle@shpny.com.

Posted in Snowboard | Tags: Kevin Pearce Update — | No Comments »

NOS Energy Drink Commercial, Starring….

So it’s Sunday afternoon and if you are on the East Coast there is like 50′ of snow outside so you are sitting on the couch. Since it’s Sunday and your dad is home, your watching NASCAR; don’t fret, because it’s your time to shine, in the darkness of the circle track a light shines, that light is the Chuck Norris of Drifting: Chris Forsberg.

That’s right drifting is working it’s way into America’s conscience via a commercial that will be shown during  select NASCAR events this year. The commercial will be for NOS Energy Drink and will star Mr. Forsberg doing what he does best, not roundhousing through people’s foreheads, he’s drifiting.

Here is some info from the press release:

On February 19, NOS Energy Drink filmed a commercial featuring ’09 Formula Drift Champion Chris Forsberg at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, CA.  The commercial, slated to begin airing later this month on select NASCAR broadcasts, also highlights Forsberg’s crew and Jarod DeAnda, the voice of Formula DRIFT.  2010 will be the second season of the Forsberg-NOS partnership.  For more information including air-times and schedule please visit www.drinknos.com.

For the gallery of pics from the shoot, keep reading after the jump:

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Posted in Other Sports | Tags: Chris Forsberg, Formula D, Nos Energy Drink — | 2 Comments »

Shaun White Continues To Make The Rounds To Leno & Rollingstone

There are three people in the world right now that I would like to have a beer with.  One is ex-Vice President DICK CHENEY so that I can drop and ECSTASY pill into his drink so that he can lighten up and stop being so evil minded.  Second would be JUSTIN BIEBER because I don’t know how, but whenever his growing fan base continues to input his name in the search engines, they are lead to my crappy little WEBSITE, thus resulting in thousands of hits and exposure.  Although I don’t think Justin can have a beer yet so I’ll have to serve him a glass of YOOHOO.  And the last is obvious.  Shaun White is on top of the world right now and since I like to ride people’s coattails, I really wish he and I could be best friends right now.  Plus he seems like a really nice guy.

His character is really shining lately after taking gold at the Winter Olympics a couple of weeks ago.  I don’t think anybody really doubted his ability to repeat, but I’m not sure anyone expected that his achievement would catapult him into SUPERSTAR status.  I always imagined the shining star coming out of Vancouver would have been my other hero Apolo Anton Ohno ( if that is his real name).  I mean, who can beat that HEADBAND, those great skating skills, and that awesome SOUL PATCH.  I guess if anyone could do it, Shaun White would be the one to take that spot.

Below is a clip of Shaun on the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien Jay Leno.  It looks like despite all the countless interviews, television show appearances, and posing SMILES, Shaun is still a burst of energy.  One thing in particular that I liked about this interview is the question Jay posed to Shaun about skateboarding in the Summer Olympics.  Shaun explains that there are some weird technicalities.  For me personally, I would love for skateboarding to be in the Olympics.  For one, the USA team OUTFITS would be amazing.  Secondly, skateboarding has loads of great AMBASSADORS for the sport.

Check out the great sit down interview below.

In addition, check out Shaun on “Shaun White Project X” on Fuel TV later today.  Read the press release below for more info.
On FUEL TV Thursday, March 4, 2010

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Posted in Snowboard | Tags: Apolo Ohno, Fuel, Jay Leno, Olympics, Rollingstone, Shaun White — | No Comments »

6th Annual Roxy Chicken Jam Coming To Mammoth Mountain

Wow are we in it’s 6th year already?  I remember when this event first came out, I thought it wouldn’t last very long.  I mean who wants to see an event full of CHICKENS going down a mountain?  I did.  Then I realized ROXY was throwing the event and it wasn’t an event for chickens.  It was females.  So I was pretty bummed and didn’t think this would last very long at all.  Well here we are for the The Sixth Annual Roxy Chicken Jam as it returns to a different type of animal, Mammoth Mountain. As the final major stop of the Women’s TTR World Tour, the Roxy Chicken Jam will determine the 2009/2010 Women’s TTR World Champion. The weekend-long event will feature the all-women’s professional snowboard Slopestyle and Superpipe competitions, as well as a free festival area with games and goodies.

Roxy snow team-riders Torah Bright, Amber Stackhouse, Lisa Wiik and Kjersti Buaas, along with other top female snowboarders will compete for the title and the $50,000 prize purse.?The Roxy Chicken Jam includes an open-registration Qualifier round for amateur snowboarders to compete for one of five spots in the Roxy Chicken Jam Main Event alongside the top pros.

Registration begins February 19 at www.chickenjam.com.?For comedic effect, be sure and check out the hilarious Mascot Superpipe Competition, which I guess can make up for the real life chickens not taking part of the competition.  The event is still funny nonetheless. Or if you can brave the pipe, come dressed in your favorite mascot attire and battle the infamous Roxy “Chicken” and defending 2009 Champion, “Hot Dog” for the title and the cash prize. Register at www.chickenjam.com.?Later on, chill out with a FREE outdoor concert in the village at Mammoth Mountain on Saturday, March 27th at 7:00 p.m. with The Bravery and N.A.S.A.?The Roxy Chicken Jam is sure to be a great mix of snowboarding mayhem and music, so don’t miss out!

All-women’s professional snowboard competition; $50,000 prize purse?- Free live concert in the Village at Mammoth Mountain with The Bravery and N.A.S.A?- Festival area with free goodies and games?- Return of the Mascot Superpipe Competition; open-to-all mascots?- Open registration for Superpipe and Slopestyle Qualifiers beginning February 19, 2010 at www.chickenjam.com

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, March 25 – 28, 2010?9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Concert on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.)

WHERE: Mammoth Mountain, CA

Posted in Snowboard | Tags: Mammoth Mountain, Roxy Chicken Jam — | No Comments »

Tiago Pires Donates Prize Money To Assist Madeira Sufferers

Natural disasters have been common lately all over the world.  Some of us decide to turn the other way since it doesn’t affect us directly, while others find the innate urge within themselves to lend a helping hand to our fellow brothers and sisters.  But there are a special select few out there who go above and beyond the call of duty by overextending themselves to help in the maximum way possible.  Those are the types of people who make me continue to believe in humanity despite all the ugliness and horror going on in the world.  On February 20, 2010, tragedy struck the idyllic Portuguese island of Madeira when heavy rains caused flash flooding and landslides, resulting in dozens of deaths with several people still unaccounted for.

Twenty-nine year old and ASP World No 24 Tiago Pires from Portugal’s has pledged to donate his prize money from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast to help those in Madeira suffering from the tragedy. Tiago is the first-ever surfer from Portugal to compete at the elite level,

“I am donating my prize money to the Madeira island,” Pires said. “There was a natural tragedy over there a few weeks ago, and it is still really bad. Madeira is an island off of Portugal and I go there a lot and I feel like it is part of me. I feel like it is part of my obligation to help. It is really far from me right now and I could not go there so this is the way I am helping. I am donating my prize money.”

Anyone interested in aiding those affected by the Madeira tragedy, please check out the following information: Banif Bank Madeira Tragedy Donations: www.banif.pt

Posted in Surf | Tags: ASP World Tour, Madeira Island, Tiago Pires — | 2 Comments »

Ryan Sheckler Interview With CCS!

Dang man I think I was about to get some Ryan Sheckler withdrawal syndrome.  We haven’t heard anything from him for quite a while.  We even had to skimp on ARTICLES totally not related to Ryan just to get one of our favorite skaters some coverage.  Well leave it to the people at CCS for setting up this neat and cute little video with Ryan showing off some of his fresh gear.  I wish I had some fresh gear like that (*hint hint* <possibly signed>). Good for them since he won’t ever answer any of our calls and his dad literally wants to kill us for some reason.

Also in this video, you will see how Ryan used to rip up his skate park training facility since he’s injured right now.  At this year’s TCA, I am going to personally nominate Ryan as “Hottest Injury of the Year”.  But honestly, we all here hope that he gets back to skateboarding really soon and we wish him the best.  SKACE LIFE 4 Life!

Posted in Skate | Tags: CCS, Ryan Sheckler — | 2 Comments »