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DECEMBER 2007 NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – O’NEILL COLD WATER CLASSIC PRESENTED BY JEEP FEATURED IN DEC. 16TH EPISODE OF NBC JEEP WORLD OF ADVENTURE SPORTS – The 2007 O’Neill Cold Water Classic presented by Jeep, the final stop of the Macy’s California Trifecta Surf Series, will be featured in an episode of NBC Jeep World of Adventure Sports (JWOAS) on Sunday, Dec. 16. The episode will air at 1:30 p.m. EST and feature a behind-the scenes look at the notorious event including contest highlights and interviews with Pat O’Neill and event standout Nat Young. All O’Neill Cold Water Classic presented by Jeep and Oakley Pro Junior results and highlights are available at www.coldwaterclassic.net.

GOOD WORKS – Kat Von D And Wes ‘Bulldog’ Humpston Skateboard Auction Raises $3,300 For Public Skateparks… Bidding frenzy for one-of-a-kind deck benefits Tony Hawk Foundation. A hand-drawn skateboard created by Kat Von D of the hit show L.A. Ink and Dogtown’s Wes ‘Bulldog’ Humpston was auctioned for the Tony Hawk Foundation, raising $3,300 help build free, public skateparks in low-income communities. The board is a one-of-a-kind old-school deck that each artist took turns drawing on. The collaboration and process was featured on L.A. Ink (The Learning Channel) in October, and the board was then auctioned on eBay. The auction closed Friday, November 16 at 6 PM (PST). Tattoo artist Kat Von D is the host of L.A. Ink, which premiered this year on The Learning Channel. She came to prominence as a featured artist on the first two seasons of Miami Ink before returning to her Hollywood roots to open her own tattoo shop and create the West Coast sister program. L.A. Ink follows the personalities that make up the tattoo shop’s staff and patrons – many of them celebrities, all of them compelling individuals who share the unique stories behind their tattoos. Von D is the show’s central character and certainly its most compelling personality. Wes ‘Bulldog’ Humpston grew up skateboarding in the Dogtown area of Santa Monica, California in the 1970s, and became famous for the stark, expressive artwork he would draw on skateboards for himself and friends – legendary skaters like Jay Adams and Tony Alva. He later became the founding artist for Dogtown Skateboards, and established the hardcore graphic language that would define skateboarding culture. Humpston continues his graphic work with Bulldog Skateboards, and also creates hand-drawn originals, similar to the collaboration he did with Kat Von D for this auction. A charitable, non-profit organization, the Tony Hawk Foundation was established in 2002 by its namesake, professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, to promote and provide funds for high-quality public skateparks throughout the United States-with an emphasis on the word ‘quality.’ Since then, the Foundation has awarded over $1.7-million to 336 communities. The Foundation focuses on working with local officials and grassroots, community-based organizations that plan to hire designers and contractors with strong experience designing and building skateparks. Proceeds from this auction will help the Tony Hawk Foundation continue its work promoting the development of quality skateparks where youth can skate safely, be active, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Tony Hawk Foundation was established by a gift from Tony Hawk. Its directors raise additional funds through events, industry donations, and continuing contributions from Tony and other entities. In addition to skateparks, the Foundation also makes donations to other children-related charities, as chosen by its Board Of Directors. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.tonyhawkfoundation.org.

CRIMSON HOLIDAY DEMO in San Diego on Dec. 15th for 4th annual holiday food and card drive. THE DOOGOOD CONSERVATORY – An international skateboarding charity with 35 programs in 11 states, Egypt, Jamaica, Mexico and Brazil is having a skate for hunger – food drive for the Salvation Army and a holiday card drive for the Alpha Project winter homeless shelter. This is our 4th annual event to serve the under-privileged kids of San Diego. WWW.DOOGOOD.ORG

CHANNEL STREET UPDATE – ‘Brian ‘BD’ Dunlap and Matix TM Tony E were looking for a place to do the next Matix photo shoot and Tone threw out Channel Street. Channel Street in San Pedro is a DIY park built by the skaters and community of San Pedro. BD went down to check the location and noticed they were in the process of getting ready for another concrete pour. BD made a few calls to some of his friends in the concrete biz, and what do you know? DVS and Matix will be donating the remaining concrete needed to finish out the back bowls. The pours will hopefully be ready to shred by X-Mas. DVS and Matix making it a Merry Christmas in San Pedro!’ – PODIUM

NEW BOWL IN HOLLYWOOD – Agenda has opened brand new corporate office and showroom on the corner of Melrose and Martel in Los Angeles. The new space features a brand new loft styled showroom, high ceilings and 4000 sq. ft. There’s also a brand new indoor skate bowl courtesy of our sponsors, KR3W Apparel, Supra Footwear and Brooklyn Projects. M-F, 10-6. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by. 645 N Martel Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036. www.agendashow.com.

AGENDA TRADE SHOW – The Agenda Trade Show is a forum for the most inspired in the streetwear and action sports industries. From the garage-run lines on the verge of explosion, to the well-established elite, Agenda caters to the needs of buyers and brands that exist on a higher level of design and aesthetic. With a strong emphasis in style, art, music and culture, the Agenda experience is as much a lesson as it is a tool. Agenda San Diego January 24th – 26th, 2008 will be held at the San Diego Concourse 202 C St. San Diego CA 92101 www.agendashow.com.

IVORY SERRA BOOK – THE SERRA EFFECT published by Drago was released in December. Ivory stopped in LA for a book signing at Booksoup on Sunset Blvd.

CONVERSE NEWS – Converse Inc. has reached an agreement to sell its One Star footwear and apparel collection exclusively to Target stores, beginning February 2008. The One Star collection will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign. Select sportswear and footwear styles will also be available at Target.com.

BINKY’S BEER BELLY BOWL JAM – Skatepark of Tampa is proud to announce the 3rd Annual Binky’s Beer Belly Bowl Jam and BBQ on Saturday, December 8, 2007. www.skateparkoftampa.com.

MIDWEST BOWLRIDERS CONTEST – Midwest Bowlriders contest Dec 8, 2007 at Modern Skate in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The contest location is a 12-14 foot tile coping tri pool without a single flaw. www.midwestbowlriders.com.

ROB and BIG TV- Upcoming DVD release of MTV’s hit show ‘Rob and Big.’ This ‘extreme’ reality series documents the day-to-day goings on of professional street skater Rob Dyrdek and his bodyguard/best friend Christopher ‘Big’ Boykin in their shared Hollywood Hills house. The first two seasons will be released together, uncensored, in a four-disc set on January 8, 2008. In addition to all 16 episodes, the DVD will include deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes and more.

WOMEN’S WORLD RECORD SK8FEST – Dec 15th – 11am-3pm. High Jump, Highest Air, Highest Ollie, Longest Ollie, Longest Manual, Longest Grind at The SpaUSA Ramp – 2210 Lincoln Blvd. Venice, CA. www.spausa.org

SKULL SKATES – Legendary Montreal Rippers Barry Walsh and Marc Tison join Skull Skates with two new deck models and to celebrate announce the official launch party
Friday December 7th, 2007 from 7:00 until 11:00 pm at Off The Hook located at 1021 Ste-Catherine Ouest in Montreal. Special guest the Nomad Bill Danforth will be in attendance For more information call 514.499.1021.

SPOT NEWS . Tampa Am – January 17th – 20th, 2008 – Team Managers contact Rob Meronek for Registration – rob@skateparkoftampa.com…. Tampa Pro – March 14th – 16th, 2008 – $100k Purse…. The Skatepark of Tampa site has been re-vamped…check it at skateparkoftampa.com.

6TH ANNUAL GHETTO CHRISTMAS PARTY – December 22, 2007 at the Crow Bar in Ybor City. Bands, DJ’s, costumes, and general Skatepark of Tampa mayhem with several hundred of your closest friends. www.skateparkoftampa.com.

KING OF THE GROMS – 3rd Lair is Proud to Announce The 6th Annual King of the Groms – 12 and Under Only Skateboard Contest has turned into a National 3 Event Series! Qualifiers will be held at the Skatelab West in Simi Valley, Ca. and another at the Skatelab East in Atlantic Beach, Fl. The Final Stop which is the Qualifier/ Championship will be held at the 3rd Lair SkatePark in Minneapolis, Mn. First qualifer is at Skatelab West – Simi Valley, Ca. December 14th – 16th, 2007. The second qualifier is at Skatelab East – Atlantic Beach, Fl. January 4th – 6th, 2008. The Championship will be held at 3rd Lair SkatePark – Mpls., Mn. February 22nd – 24th, 2008. www.3rdlair.com.

‘KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN‘ – New book by GLEN E. FRIEDMAN. Released twenty years to the day of the very first Fugazi show. www.southern.com/BURNINGFLAGS

FLOGGING MOLLY AND BOUNCING SOULS SET TO HEADLINE CHARITY EVENT IN HOLLYWOOD DEC.11, 2007 – The second annual ROCK TO ROLL charity event spearheaded by SideOneDummy Co-Founder Joe Sib is happening this year at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood, CA on December 11th. The event will directly benefit the non-profit organization WHEELS FOR HUMANITY. Headlining the event this year is FLOGGING MOLLY just back from recording their new album in Ireland. Also on the bill will be BOUNCING SOULS and DEAD TO ME. The night will kick off with a set from PUNK ROCK KARAOKE (featuring members of NOFX, Bad Religion, Adolescents and Social Distortion). TICKETS go on sale Friday Nov.9th. www.sideonedummy.com.

SKULL SKATES ELECTRIC GUITAR – In an exclusive partnership with Sparrow Guitars of Vancouver, Canada -Skull Skates is proud to announce the officially licensed Skull Skates guitar, which is hand-made by Sparrow and styled after the classic Les Paul design. Available Now. www.skullskates.com

SXSW 2008 – March 12 – 16, 2008 in Austin, Texas. A keynote address anchors four days of panels, interviews, workshops, peer meetings and the trade show exhibition at the Austin Convention Center. Daytime events flow into the world-renowned music festival, which showcases over 1,000 acts on stages throughout downtown Austin. Go to http://sxsw.com to learn more and to register to attend.

‘HELP US HELP CLETUS’ ART SHOW – Dec 8th at Yer Cheat’N Heart Tattoo at 15400 S. Vermont Ave. Gardena, CA. Art up for auction from Dalek, Tyson, Mcadoo, Roman Dirge, Jim Miner, Jeff Rassier, Justin Shaw, Chopper Dave, Sawdust, Yer Cheat’N Heart Tattoo Shop Gang and many more. Music by Carter Falco. 8pm.

IMPERFECT UNION – Presented by Merry Karnowsky Gallery – Imperfect Union, the largest Los Angeles solo exhibit of new works by Shepard Fairey. This show displays a provocative collection of politically charged paintings, screen prints, stencils, album covers and mixed media pieces rich with metaphor, humor and seductive decorative elements. Imperfect Union is derived from the first line of the U.S. Constitution ‘We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union’. For Shepard Fairey, critiquing the imperfect union, far from disparaging the United States, is a patriotic step toward shaping a more perfect union. Exhibition Dates: December 1, 2007 – January 14, 2008 at Merry Karnowsky Gallery at 170 South La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, California 90036. Ph. 323.933.4408. www.obeygiant.com.

‘THE GRIND’ SKATE ART SHOW and AUCTION – Todd McFarlane, Shepard Fairey, Jason Adams, Chris Pastras, Ben Horton, Mike Giant, Don Pendleton, Johnny Mojo, David Carson, Alex Pardee have contributed a custom painted skateboard deck as part of ‘The Grind’ – an upcoming exhibit and auction to benefit the Swift-Cantrell Skate Park near Atlanta. The boards will be auctioned, with all funds going directly to help fund the skate park. You can preview the skateboard decks and participate in the online auction at www.foundationonegallery.com/show12/art/web/index.html. The online auction begins Saturday, November 24 and will end on December 8, 2007. To read more about Swift-Cantrell Park, you can visit www.swiftcantrellskatepark.com.

PEGGY OKI ART – ‘Homage to Megaptera’ Recent Works by Peggy Oki at The Sojourner Cafe Nov. 3- Dec. 14, 2007. Sojourner Cafe 134 E. Canon Perdido, Santa Barbara, CA. www.sojournercafe.com and www.peggy-oki.com.

SCION PRESENTS: RUGS DURING WARTIME AND PEACETIME – Scion, in conjunction with Mark Mothersbaugh, one of the founding members of the band DEVO, presents RUGS DURING WARTIME AND PEACETIME. Mothersbaugh’s love of art started early in his childhood, just after it was discovered that he was extremely nearsighted and legally blind. After he received his first pair of correctional glasses Mothersbaugh had a new view of the world that inspired his obsession with imagery and illustrations. With DEVO, his most successful music project, Mothersbaugh was able to showcase his artistic abilities on a larger scale, and to millions of people. Through their films, videos, costumes, LP covers, stage shows, and printed materials, Mothersbaugh and DEVO forever altered commonly held preconceptions of how a rock band should function in popular culture. During his downtime on early worldwide tours with DEVO, he began illustrating on postcards to send to his friends, which he still creates, and has been creating every day for over 30 years. Scion Installation LA Gallery, 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232. For more information, visit www.scion.com/space.

SKATEBOARD ART SHOW – Saturday, Dec 1st, the Land Of Plenty Skateboard Foundation will host its 3rd annual boardshow at Brooklyn Projects Skateboard shop in Echo Park. Check out some of the latest boards painted by kids across the country from 7-10pm at Brooklyn Projects located at 2125 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026. www.thelandofplenty.org

BILLABONG XXL BIG WAVE AWARDS LAUNCHES FOR ’08 WINTER SEASON WITH NEW WEBSITE… The eighth-annual Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards presented by Monster Energy is underway, with a brand-new event website chock full of photographic evidence of what has already proven to be a remarkable year in the big wave realm. All the latest entries from around the world may be viewed at the new event website at www.BillabongXXL.com. The current event period continues through the Spring Equinox on March 19, 2008, with the annual gala awards ceremony scheduled to take place in Southern California on April 11, 2008. All event details can be seen at the event website at www.BillabongXXL.com.

ISA SUPPORTS BRITISH SURFING ASSOCIATION’S PETITION TO STOP BRITISH AIRWAYS SURFBOARD BAN – The International Surfing Association, ISA, is shocked to learn of the British Airways (BA) ban on the carriage of surfboards (effective from 6th November) and supports the British Surfing Association’s petition to lobby the airline to reverse their decision. Like the British Surfing Association, the ISA is also urging all surfers to utilise a new members group on the social networking site Facebook, complain directly to British Airways and spread the word amongst other surfers. The British Surfing Association online petition means that people all over the world can add their support to our campaign and can add their personal comments about the issue. Go onto www.britsurf.co.uk and click the ‘SIGN ONLINE PETITION OF PROTEST IN THE NEWS SECTION ON THE HOME PAGE’. Follow the easy steps to sign this online petition and add any comments.

SURFBOARDS LOAD FOR FREE ON VIRGIN ATLANTIC – Virgin Atlantic announced that its passengers are allowed to take an item of sports equipment on their flights free of charge. The news followed a recent ban by British Airways (BA) on surfboards and similar items. Copyright 2007 SportsOneSource, LLC

2007 ROXY JAM – World Champion surfer Jennifer Smith (Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA) won the 2007 Roxy Jam Cardiff in San Diego, CA. The current Women’s World Longboarding Champion earned the title of U.S. Regional Champion with the victory of this event. 21-year-old Smith is known for her good attitude and style, and will compete in Biarritz, France in 2008 in hopes to keep her World Champion title. The Roxy Jam Cardiff is a six star women’s longboarding event consisting of over 80 competitors, and featuring the world’s top seeded women longboarders. The winner of the event will be crowned the U.S. Regional Longboarding Champion and earn a coveted spot in the prestigious Roxy Jam Biarritz Women’s World Longboard Championships, in July 2008.

ROXY PRO Hawaii 2007, Watch LIVE Online at Roxy.com and See the Ladies Take on the Waves for the Prize Purse of $80,000. Sunset Beach, Hawaii – ‘ROXY Pro Hawaii’ 2007′ watch it live and experience it with the women real-time online at www.roxy.com, from November 25 through December 6th. Live from Sunset Beach, as the longest running professional women’s surfing event in Hawaii, the Roxy Pro Hawaii will again return to test the women’s big wave skills. With the prize purse raised to $80,000 this year and a Schick(TM) Quattro(TM) for Women(TM) Style Award of $3,000, a lot is on the line at Sunset Beach for these ladies. www.Roxy.com.

VANS TRIPLE CROWN – Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Reef Hawaiian Pro, November 12-24. Ali’i Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii…. Roy Powers (Kauai, Hawaii) (pictured) was carried up the beach as the 2007 Reef Hawaiian Pro Champion after he defeated Bede Durbidge (Aus), Joel Parkinson (Aus) and Sean Moody (Haw) in an exhilarating final at Haleiwa’s Ali’I Beach today. Powers was in blistering form, posting two near perfect rides a 9.17 and a 9.67 (both out of a possible ten) leaving his competitors trailing behind him for most of the 35-minute final. With five minutes left on the clock, all three remaining finalists returned to the beach knowing Powers had it won. The Reef Hawaiian Pro is a 6-Star ASP World Qualifying Series event for Men and Women and is the first jewel of the 2007 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The Reef Hawaiian Pro holds a total prize money purse of $125,000 and needs just four full days to be completed.
Photo Credit: ASP KIRSTIN © COVERED IMAGES
Photographer: KIRSTIN SCHOLTZ
www.triplecrownofsurfing.com
www.aspworldtour.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ‘BLOODY MONDAY’ – Less than 24 hours after professional surfer Dave Rastovich led an international group of over 30 surfers, celebrities, and musicians on a peaceful paddle-out ceremony to honor the more than 25,000 dolphins killed each year in Japan, fishermen in the tiny village of Taiji resumed the slaughter that had been delayed by the increased worldwide media attention. In response, the surfers decided to make a pre-dawn return to the killing cove to recreate the ceremony. Rastovich and the others paddled within a stone’s throw of a pod of captive pilot whales that had been herded into the cove for early morning slaughter. ‘The reason we surfers were there was to share the blood-stained waters at eye-level with our ocean kin awaiting their execution,’ said a dripping, visibly shaken Rastovich just after paddling in. ‘Despite the fishermen taking great pains to hide their acts of cruelty, we seized an opportunity to bring this travesty to the world’s attention.’ Rastovich and his core team of surfers trailed by camera crews arrived at Taiji cove to paddle out to the captured pilot whales. The six paddlers, including Rastovich, formed a traditional surfers’ memorial circle situated between the whales and the blood-ridden shallows. Local fishermen converged almost immediately, harassing the paddlers with yelled threats and advancing on them with whirling propeller blades. The irate fishermen then used a long wooden pole to attack the surfers. Even though the fishermen used force to try and break the circle, the surfers held their peaceful stance. Reflecting on the day’s experience, a somber Isabel Lucas expressed,’We couldn’t save these whales but hopefully shining the light on their deaths will save others.’ For more info: www.surfersforcetaceans.com and www.SaveJapanDolphins.org and www.savethewhalesagain.com.

ALLAN WEISBECKER NEWS – To put it in Hollywood shorthand, Allan Weisbecker’s life story is like The Endless Summer meets Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas meets Blow meets The Player. The best part about it is that he’s survived to tell the tale, and tell a tale he can. He’s the author of Cosmic Banditos, perhaps soon to be a major motion picture starring John Cusack; In Search of Captain Zero, perhaps soon to be a major motion picture starring Sean Penn; and Can’t You Get Along With Anyone: Writer’s Memoir and a Tale of a Lost Surfer’s Paradise. It took years of working in Hollywood and a critically acclaimed novel, before Weisbecker wised up and realized that, even without making anything up, he was his own best character. Ten years ago, he sold everything he owned to drive to Central America (surfing along the way, of course) in search of an old friend who’d disappeared years earlier, his last correspondence a cryptic postcard signed, ‘Captain Zero.’ What followed was a harrowing journey into the heart of darkness, a memoir full of swashbuckling tales of drug-running and thumbing his nose at polite society (and the consequences thereof) called In Search of Captain Zero.

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