Quick Hits Archive: March 30 - April 5, 2007

Apr 19 2007 / Los Angeles, CA

April 5, 2007


tony_hawk_04-2007_160x130Hawk v. Ali: Skateboarding Great Teams Up With Boxing Great
Published: 1:42 a.m. PT by Me

The philanthropic Tony Hawk continues his charitable ways, this time helping out Mohammed Ali in his fight against Parkinson's.

The Birdman never ceases to amaze, on and off the skateboard.

Check it out....

Australian to Live Underwater for Two Weeks
Published: 1:25 a.m. PT by Me

You have to hand it to those Aussies. An Australian marine biologist plans on living underwater for two weeks. He plans on surving by growing algae to produce oxygen and to eat, and by riding a stationary bike to generate electricity.

How many surfers you think will try and follow this plan if it's executed? I'm guessing all of them, providing it works.

Read more.

California Surfers Beware: Giant Squid Are Lurking
Published: 1:17 a.m. PT by Me

And in case you're wondering, they do attacks humans.

"They've been known to attack people, in Mexico and down in Central America," said Karl Menard, Aquatic Resources Manager for UC Davis' Bodega Marine Laboratory. "But we have had no attacks here."

You get the feeling the word "yet" was missing from the end of that quote?

Read the full story.

74-Year-Old Surfer Loves Bells
Published: 12:48 a.m. PT by Me

So how did Bells Beach become one of the top locations for surfing in the world and the home of the 35-year-old Rip Curl Pro... Apparently, it's because Joe Sweeney had it bulldozed in 1961 to create a more marketable location.

Cool.

More about this...

The Amazingly Sad Story of Mike Peterson
Published: 12:27 a.m. PT by Me

When one looks at the list of previous winners of the Rip Curl Pro (formerly known as the Bells Beach Classic), one name sticks out -- Mike Peterson. Peterson won the first three contests, from 1973-75. But today, Peterson is anything but a familiar presence at the contest he helped put on the map. He barely is seen in public at all.

Why is that? Well, not only did he apparently suffer from a condition that would later be diagnosed as schizophrenia, but he also had a significant and growing drug habit.

While we all celebrate the great surfing event that is the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, it's sometimes good to look back...

Read this great story...

April 4, 2007


The Rick Moliterno Story
Published: 2:01 a.m. PT by Me

Sometimes the term "legend" is thrown around in action sports. In BMX, you see someone like Dave Mirra and the label makes sense. Another legend is Rick Moliterno, who at 42-years-old, is considered one of the original masters of the sport.

For a great recap of his career and accomplishments, check out this story.... It's worth a read.

pierre_luc_gagnon_xgames06_160x130PLG Talks Music and Skating
Published: 1:32 a.m. PT by Me

This Canadian music site named Chart Attack has an interesting article about music and skateboarding -- while the initial premise ("Skate Culture Isn't Just About Punk Rock Anymore") is kind of silly (many other types of music have become popular in recent years), but in reality it's also a good story about Pierre Luc Gagnon, the best skateboarder to ever come from north of the border...

"In the last year as part of my contest run, I was skating to sick hip-hop tracks like Nas' 'Made You Look' and Eric B & Rakim's 'Follow The Leader'," Gagnon says in the story. "It's a bit more open these days in terms of the music you hear at contests and what the guys listen to. There's isn't one style that wins out."

Another Skateboarder Tasered
Published: 12:17 a.m. PT by Me

Okay, it's happened again -- another skater has been tasered. This one just as idiotic as other ones...

A teenager in Valparaiso, Indiana, was apparently skateboarding where he shouldn't be -- in a hospital parking lot. After being chased for 20 minutes by a security guard, the guard called police and they came, tasers ready.

Once the cops came in, the skateboarder ran like hell but they "boxed" him and tasered. Game over, man.

Well, at least he wasn't shoved.

Read the story.

Headlines: Guitar Hero II, Tony Hawk, Nebraska and more
Published: 12:04 a.m. PT by Me

Is it already Wednesday? Sure sounds like it.

April 3, 2007


Two Shark Attacks in One Hour Off the Florida Coast
Published: 2:29 a.m. PT by Me

One shark attack is crazy (and scary) enough. But two? That's apparently the case at Hutchinson Island, off Florida's east coast. The two victims, a 30 year-old surfer and a nine year-old boy, both came out relatively unscathed. Whew!

Get more info here....

willy_wonka_160wTony Hawk and Willy Wonka Team Up to...Wait, What?
Published: 1:05 a.m. PT by Me

Willy Wonka? Isn't he a fictional character? Apparently not. Willy's selling some Wonk'd furniture to help raise money for charity. And apparently Tony Hawk's helping out.

Willy Wonka. I just don't get this. More...

How Does a MILLION Gallons of Raw Sewage Spill Into the Ocean
Published: 12:19 a.m. PT by Me

That's the one question the reporter of this story fails to ask. To make matters worse, it remains unknown if this disgusting occurrence at Oceanside, California has been fixed

Surf's up?

Surfing Holds the Power of Healing
Published: 12:09 a.m. PT by Me

Former pro surfer Israel Paskowitz and his wife Danielle, who have an autistic child of their own, have decided to take autistic children out for a day of surf after seeing the amazing healing powers a day of catching waves had on their son, Isaiah.

Read the full story.

Headlines: Float, Olympics, Zoo York and Snowboarding
Published: 12:01 a.m. PT by Me

Happy Tuesday.

April 2, 2007


andy_irons_0906_120x120Billabong Releases New Series of Boardshorts from Andy Irons, Red Hot Chili Peppers, More
Published: 2:10 p.m. PT by Me

Surf fans - Billabong has just released a number of new boardshort designs from Andy Irons, the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The shorts have gotten some play in limited release and the RHCP short has even been worn by Junior World Champion Jordy Smith. Now the rest of the world can get them.
Read more here..

Surfing in New Hampshire Sucks
Published: 1:44 p.m. PT by Me

So if you live in this area called York in new Hampshire, surfing kind of sucks. not because the waves are scarece (they probably are) but becayse they only allow surfing during daylight hours in the summer months only in a 120-yard swath of beach.

Unfortunately, some "rogue" surfers have been brought in for straying outside the area (holy crap!). So now they are seeing about expanding that 120 yards to an incredible 240 yards (gasp!). They also are considering allowing surfing along the length of the beach on stormy days when waves are big and swimmers are scarce.

All I have to say is lame.

Check it out...

Surfers Get Political With Wave Project in UK
Published: 1:28 a.m. PT by Me

UK surfers are up in arms over a new wave power project being developed off the UK coast named the Wave Hub.

The installation will be set-up 10 miles off the coast of St. Ives, a popular holiday destination. Surfers say the waves could be drained of their energy and crop their height.

More than half a million surfers ride the waves, according to around 35K in 1990, according to the British Surfing Association (BSA).

Get the story here...

April 1, 2007


Charleston Police Officer Suspended
Published: 2:25 a.m. PT by Me

That cop who shoved s skateboarder into some bushes has gotten a ten-day suspension. But the thing that surprised me is that cop is a woman, not a dude! What is some woman cop doing shoving a skateboarder?

I actually saw the video -- a few times -- and I couldn't tell it was a women. Ah well, that's probably not the point of this entry, is it..

You can get a little more info here...

mark_occhilupo_199_160x130Paddleboarding is Cool?
Published: 1:44 a.m. PT by Me

Okay, based on the name itself, it seems as though paddleboarding would suck. But as soon as you hear a legend like Mark Occhilupo is trying it, you gotta pay a little attention.

Turns out this traditional Hawaiian technique is taking off a bit in Australia, and is especially effective on days with low surf.

Okay, whatever you say...

Surf Museum Moving to Strip Club
Published: 1:21 a.m. PT by Me

Is this apropos, given the reputation of pro surfers as heavy partiers and ladies men? The California Surf Museum could soon be moving to a closed-down strip club joint in downtown Oceanside.

Will they accept one dollar bills only for ticket sales?

Read more...

Hot Tuna Posts Losses and Gains
Published: 1:19 a.m. PT by Me

New surf apparell company Hot Tuna, partly-owned by former supermodel Elle Macpherson, posted overall losses on infrastructure losses, but showed gains in sales. The company, which debuted six months ago, features team rider (and Hollywood party man) Bron Heussenstamm, who will be featured on Lat34 next week.

Get more HOT TUNA here...

That Beach House You Covet Might Be Underwater Soon
Published: 12:23 a.m. PT by Me

A new study shows that one in ten people are at danger to rising sea levels and heavy storms due to global warming. No one knows how surf will be affected, but that sweet beach house you've been trying to buy might be a sea house before the paint dries.

Hmm. You think Al Gore may be right?

Read the full story.

Headlines: Surf, Motocross and Freeskiing
Published: 12:02 a.m. PT by Me

It's April Fool's Day. Any typos you find in my blog today are a complete joke.

March 31, 2007


Snowboarders + iPods = Rude
Published: 3:21 a.m. PT by Me

So I guess this reporter has had a few too many snowboarders cross her path wearing earbuds..

What I actually like most about this article (reg. req.) is how she finishes it off with Shaun White's playlist. Nice - because nothing will be complete about a snowboardng story until you mention the flying animal.

Human Giant Interview
Published: 3:01 a.m. PT by Me

You have to check out this new interview with the guys from Human Giant -- they have a show coming to MTV and that should give you an idea of the type of humor to expect. Two words: Awe-some.

March 30, 2007


Two Florida Teens Arrested for Financing Surfing With Theft
Published: 2:21 a.m. PT by Me

So I know surfing can be fun and maybe a little expensive if you aren't able to afford living in Hawaii or Australia where the waves really kick ass, but that doesn't excuse this...

Two Jacksonville, FL teens were arressted after stealing as much as $30K worth of booze, guns and electronics from boats in the area, then selling the stuff on EBay to finance a surfing trip.
 
Unfortunately for the dumb kids, they didn't get to do the trip before they were caught. What kind of surfing trip costs 30 Grand?

If chraged as adults they face a life sentence because of the involvement of guns in the robberies.

daniel_dhers_or06_160x130Dhers Headed to Singapore for the Metro BMX Jam
Published: 2:14 a.m. PT by Me

Dew Tour BMX Park champ Daniel Dhers is headed to Singapore to take part in the upcoming Metro BMX Jam.

Should be a great contest with the names lined up. Dhers predicts either Dave Mirra or Morgan Wade will walk away with the top prize, but he's not too shabby himself. It all goes down April 7-8.

If you like gear, check out the specs on his bike.

ryan_sheckler_asa06_160x130A Quick "Kid's Choice" History
Published: 1:35 a.m. PT by Me

Okay, you may not care about the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards (airing Saturday) but if you have kids you would. Besides, it does usually draw some top talent, including Ryan Sheckler as a presenter this year.. (BTW, check out an exclusive Lat34 interview with Sheckler on Saturday).

This USA Today article goes over the show's history, including slimy appearances by Tony Hawk and Dave Mirra.

Headlines: Scotland, New Zealand and Oregon
Published: 1:02 a.m. PT by Me

Friday -- going to be a good weekend. Here are some early headlines.

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