Do you consider yourself a true turf fan? Guess what you love!
How good is it when Bloomberg gets its hands on the surfs? I think very good. The straight business reportage always reads amazingly surreal when rubbing up against our favorite lifestyle. One can guarantee metaphors like, “Riding a wave of…” “…salty…” and “…fiduciary wipeout.” But there is also great truth hidden in the financial folds.
Recently, the publication turned its eye toward SurfStitch. Of course you remember reading about it right here as a blood feud and what was not to love? A gorgeous blonde locked in vicious battle with a frumpy brunette!
Bloomberg, of course took a more prosaic, yet metaphorically gorgeous, take with Surf’s up, again, if this Aussie outfit has its way…but what’s with the vanishing CEO? Let’s read the start:
If the surfwear business were a streaming soap opera, it would go like this.
Shares of Billabong and Quiksilver, the industry’s biggest labels, surge to records in 2007, then crash. Gone are the days when high schools were flooded with bright graphic tees and baggy pants, and Matthew McConaughey could be seen catching a wave at Malibu Beach in knee-length board shorts. In 2011, Cali-cool surf seller PacSun begins closing down 200 stores. In 2015, Quiksilver slides into bankruptcy court.
Enter a young, ambitious player with hopes of reviving the salty dream. Australian retailer SurfStitch goes public in 2014 and quietly sets out on a rad acquisition spree, snapping up online retailers Swell and Surfdome, gear manufacturer Surf Hardware International, surf magazine Stab, forecasting service Magicseaweed, and sports video studio Garage Entertainment and Production. Suddenly, SurfStitch has global reach, revenue of A$145 million (US$109 million) in its latest fiscal half, and a grand vision — a $1 billion surf empire united next year as Swell.
Etc. You’ve read the “grand visions” before. The best part, though, is when Bloomberg goes on to describe the pieces of SurfStitch’s surf empire. There is magicseaweed.com which, “…is for surfers who need to check the webcams to see if their local beach is pumping.” And Stab which, “… is geared to true fans interested in reading about an Australian who caught 152 waves in one seven-hour session.”
Does it get better than the true fans interested in reading about an Australian who caught 152 waves in one seven-hour session?
I think no.
152 waves in 7 hrs? That’s one wave every three minutes or so. Wave hog as$hole.
this is what true surf fans want!!!!!
Sad but true, I had watched every surf movie in the ‘sports’ section at my local video store in the late 80’s. Including the killers Wave Warriors, Mad Wax and probably Endless Summer (I grew up in the western suburbs, I’m just glad they had something, anything, apart from making me sit through 4 hrs of Sports Sunday to see a clip of “cape st francis breaking like this all the time”). Anyway, one day I walked out of the store with this one, thinking it would be a great mix of T’n’A and surfing. Never saw it though, Dad and older brother told me it was stupid and not to watch it 🙁
Don’t let me forget “North Shore” , I watched that thing so many times. When JOB used Turtle in his movie I nearly died laughing, same with the learn to surf scene in Bali.
Oh, is that a book, 75c ?, must be a book. Only ever owned Mark Warrens Atlas of Australian Surfing as a kid.
it’s a book.
i love North Shore:
When the waves break here don’t be there, or you gonna get drilled
Scrub it Kook
I can tell your lame by the way you where your shorts
He’s so haole he doesn’t even know he’s haole.
Hey Alex come jump In with us
Wow the Brazilians are back more agro then ever
Look like flash dancers LA kine. They look all lepo man, they’re not even surfers
Go ahead, go shred
“I can tell your lame by the way you wear your shorts” – holy moly, I had completely forgotten where I picked up this phrase. For years(decades) I’ve said it, and then wonder to myself, “wtf, where did that come from ….” while the poor other person is left wondering ‘what’s wrong with my pants?’ 🙂
Bloody ensuites hey I just did the longest squeakiest fart whilst reading this, this room should be in the backyard not behind my beloveds gorgeous resting head.
Chas by the way did you read on Stab that our “cult hero” surfers “rashies”, are sold out post event at snapper.
They are only $65!!! We have to watch the WSL they are fucking geniuses in the marketing stakes.
I cant wait to see the first peanut surfing past me wearing Kelly 11.
Maybe this “sport” has legs after all
Parko seemed to be the highest seller when I was hiding out in the merch tent kicking back on their couches.
It really is the “jersey sale” NFL model isn’t it.
ewwwww do you know what people do on those couches ewwwwww
Count me among the true fans! I love reading about such determination! The only thing I can devote myself 7 hours straight to is refreshing the Beach Grit homepage while at work…
You are a true surf fan and an inspiration!
Thanks! I try… btw, I imagine WY are eating their words, that caption: gold.
yes and Yes Karl. I am between refreshing Beachgrit and making an excuse to go on a “sales” call of course after checking magicseaweed to see if local is pumping. I am currently a paid surfer and it is epic