And kudos to O'Neill (the company) for this masterpiece!
As every BeachGrit reader should know, Jack O’Neill, founder of the O’Neill wetsuits franchise, died recently.
While sad, the man was 94 years old and had lived an incredible life. There was really nothing left for him to do in this world.
Today I stumbled upon a tribute video for Ol’ Man Jack. While usually touching, the typical tribute video tends to be corny and in that way not-very-Beachgrit. This one is different.
And, wow — right? O’Neill (the company) put some serious thought, effort, and probably money into this seven-minute spectacle. I found it informative and engaging. Would even watch it again.
I admittedly knew very little about Jack before watching this clip, but it inspired me to do further research on the man.
Where, you ask?
The only place with historically salient information on every prominent surf figure not named Reno Abellira. Matt Warshaw’s Encyclopedia of Surfing!
My favorite stanza: [O’Neill] never brought attention to himself, and on the rare event when he spoke to the surf press he modestly attributed his success to little more than good timing. Industry insiders, however, regard O’Neill as perhaps the coolest and shrewdest surf businessman alive—the “rubber baron,” as surf journalist Ben Marcus later called him.
Read the rest here (for a measly $3 fee)!
Or just watch the video and bask in the wonderful life Jack O’Neill.
Can someone tell me what happened to his left eye and about when?
Jordy got offered x5 times more by Nike back in the day and even tiger Woods in his hay day flew over to meet jordy to try and convince him to sign up…but he declined Nike and signed for a lot less with O’Neil. True story brah
Ummmm in the very rare case that you’re serious, can you back that up at all? Sounds like a fun story!
http://www.smh.com.au/news/…
If your 5X offer was true, it simply adds substantial evidence to the rumoured IQ rankings within the jordy camp!!
Mate I was referring to a stat I recall reading about in 2008 and at the time the number mentiomed was around x5 times higher. I searched for it after Michael questioned the authenticity of the claim. It turns out to be $3m less a year compared to the +$5m Nike offered him. Moral of the story is if you are going to be a hater…. You gonna hate.
My bad ….he turned it down after Tiger woods, Michael Jordan and Ronaldo tried to get him on board in 2008 as per the article “JORDY SMITH took a phone call from Tiger Woods. He received an email from Michael Jordan. He was sent the shoe that Ronaldo used to kick a goal in a World Cup final. He turned the offer down”
Oh, it’s true. The board companies had an interesting bidding war circa 2007, as well.
I LIKE JORDY. I WANT TO FIGHT MEDINA
I can’t imagine how shit at hitting the lip I’d be with one eye. Couldn’t get worse I guess.
O’Neill’s been my go-to for tall freak size wetsuits for a while now.
That’s my story for today.
Details on tall freak size wetsuits please. As mentioned in the Billabong shares story comments section, I may be needing a new wetsuit in the foreseeable future.
You must be travelling to cooler waters – going back for seconds at meals any time after Easter should be insulation enough in your neck of the woods?
I’m a lanky fucker so the XLT fits me perfectly. Other wetsuits had me showing far too much ankle and wrist. Caused a real scandal in the lineup let me tell you.
For the more generously proportioned waist maybe go for another brand. Here in Europe everyone’s a shortarse, so on the rare occasions I go into a shop they never have any for me to try on. So I stick with the O’Neill. Not as durable as they used to be though in my experience.
Travelling? Ha! I’m svelte, so not much blubber to keep me warm.