Wild times.
Surf fans, generally reeling, were dealt another blow this morning when news leaked out that the highest-ranked surfing in America, and its best hope for a championship in the next decade, had left his longtime sponsor for its most bitter rival. Griffin Colapinto, who hails from San Clemente and surfs extremely well, has long been a darling and also major piece of Billabong’s best-in-class field.
Continuing the legacy of Joel Parkinson, Andy Irons, etc.
In wildly unexpected news, though, Colapinto just put pen to paper, signing his name alongside Mikey Wright, Zeke Lau, Kanoa Igarashi as part of Team Quiksilver.
Per the press release:
Quiksilver, the original boardshort company, is proud to introduce Griffin Colapinto to its global surf team. The San Clemente, California–based professional surfer is currently ranked No. 7 in the world and is the leading American on the World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Championship Tour. Quiksilver has entered into a multi-year contract with Colapinto, with the ultimate goal of supporting him on his quest to become a world champion.
Colapinto has been commanding the lineup from an early age, competing in numerous surf competitions and championships, winning notable titles and consistently progressing his career. Following his successful Hail Mary aerial reverse in the 2016 Hawaiian Pro at Haleiwa, Colapinto finished the 2017 season as the WSL Men’s Qualifying Series champion and has since won numerous additional titles. Colapinto also became the first Californian to win the prestigious Triple Crown in 2017. Today, Colapinto has positioned himself as a potential candidate to compete for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympic games.
“Griffin Colapinto’s incredible determination, character and talent is inspiring,” states Quiksilver Global General Manager Brad Blankinship. “He’s an essential part of the team that will help lead Quiksilver into the future.” Drawn to his ambition in and out of the water, Quiksilver is honored to support Colapinto’s endeavors and is excited to partner with him on notable content projects and signature products. In addition to his incredible talent on the board, creativity comes naturally to Colapinto; he and his brother, Crosby Colapinto, have a production company, Cola Bros., where they document their sibling bond behind the scenes of competitive surfing.
“When you evolve your personality, you evolve your reality and Quiksilver is now a part of my personality,” says Griffin Colapinto.
Colapinto’s consistent forward momentum is a welcome addition to the Quiksilver team and aligns with the brand’s commitment to support determined and genuine athletes. “Since 1969, Quiksilver has been supporting the most talented surfers in the world. However, talent doesn’t measure itself solely in the water, but also through action off the board,” says Quiksilver VP of Global Marketing Bobby Gascon. “Griffin’s unique and honest personality provides a truly relatable approach that we trust will inspire fans for many years to come. We are truly honored to have him join our brand, and we look forward to our partnership.”
Oh, I suppose it must be noted that Billabong and Quiksilver are both owned by the same parent company now but do you imagine peace reigns in the Boardriders halls or do you imagine the rivalry is wickeder than ever? I once worked for Surfing magazine that was owned a parent company that also owned Surfer.
Much hatred in those halls.
But will Billabong attempt some sort of revenge?
A cubicle toilet-papering?
Worse?
You think pro surfing is fucked , how bad is amature contest surfing , some 50 year old bricklayer trying to win a local contest because he thinks it will make him a surf hero , now thats fucked.
tipping his purse out on insta:
https://www.instagram.com/p…
while also posting loads of ‘bong logos which i’m sure quikky will super stoked about on day 2 of his contract.
But then my mom would be out of work. Thanks.
He changed 6 for half a dozen.
If the moneys all coming from the same company then its all about branding.
Quik for the pro surfing angle, billabong to go patagonia lite? At least that way they stop cannibalising each other’s market share.
I don’t really give a shit if they go broke, I was at the periphery of the surf industry years ago and all the quiksilver crew from the 90s were absolute wankers and thought their shit didnt stink.
Other than wetsuits and maybe a few boardies you literally see zero people wearing any of the traditional surf brands around town. At least here in SD Salt Life has taken their lunch. Bc ya know, I need to make sure the general public knows i may be in line for a $25 plate of eggs (aka brunch) but I haven’t lost traditional masculine values and “find refuge in the sea.”
Isn’t that what “surf adjacent” is all about? They wouldn’t wear surf brands because people would assume they are dirty surfers or poor. Wealthy people like boating and fishing and golf or something like that. They know they are super salty and like that life so if it also somehow has ocean, suntans, and food tied to it–bonus. Plus I Googled Salt Life and it appears they have a rewards program–not that I have to tell any of you.
Ok what is real???
“Quiksilver Global General Manager Brad Blankinship. “He’s an essential part of the team that will help lead Quiksilver into the future.”
Brad Blankinship, can we start with all the names he was called at school?
Quiksilver’s future is……….will Authentic buy or is is unsellable?
Was Quikbuck really pissed that Leonardo took on a minor brand ( Gucci?) which devalued the Quik brand?
Was Da Bong unable to do the Pipe masters and sponsor such a big name as Griff?
Did Quik cancel all their comps to pay for Griff?
Why is there air!!!
Best free scape comment you have put together keep up the flow that’s why we have air.
thanx , now I know why there is air!
Wait til he signs to Hurluley and you’ll know he’s hit teh big time.
When’s the last time you saw anyone wearing a Quicksilver T shirt?
Or Billabong? Or Rip curl tee?
What are they even selling to people these days? And is anyone buying?
I said in another thread, here in Colombia you see a lot of dirt poor locals walking around in new quik t shirts. Doubt they are knock offs, so suspect all the shit they can’t sell gets sent down here as a tax deduction or eco credentials.
Me in the mirror yesterday. I buy them second-hand and look hot af–especially when I wear the long sleeves and coats.
Speaking of San clementes “next best thing” what ever happened to Chloe andino? Is he still on the CT, does he still surf, is he still holding down that all important Target sponsorship?
Will Target do a Rip Curl style movie “Searching for Brother’? Which will be confusing as fuck for redneck middle America targeted audience as he has a girls name
Um, a girl’s name for a boy guarantees he will fail in like 82% of the 6.5 states comprising what is Middle America. His only hope is posh NE and casual West Coast.
82%. Thats almost 8.5million viewers and counting…
Haven’t they been filming for Trilogy remake?
That Eddie poster on the wall has aged well…
Did he just redecorate his whole room with new quik logo placement everywhere? Seems pretty well put together.
Or he’s been closet Quik the whole time… orrrrrrrrrrr he’s at Kanoa’s…
PS, love the handle!
Interns–they have fast, nimble hands–like elves.
My take is , possibly overall brand management are consolidating their primary atheletes into specific stables prior to downsizing the overall numbers of bands that will be seen as core in surf shops and consigning the rest to malls to squeeze a last few bucks out of the supply chain commitments until the brand (s) simply disappear.
Ik…damn Chas…was being PC not BG.
It’s a step up from the pre verbal teletubbies persona he’s been running with during post heats.
I recall him starting a post-heat interview as such: “um, yeah, see, I was like, thinking….” and someone in the live simulcast commentariat shut that shit down quickly with a “Griff said he was thinking. I doubt it.” I died laughing.
All wrapped up in Tom Carrol’s sunnies from 1986
“And now Quicksilver is part of my personality,” says Colapinto. That’s fucking sad. Product and personality meshing.
Or is this just the umbrella company shuffling things around between Billy and Quiky for their own tax loss purposes, and Grify is yet another pawn in their game of balance sheets etc ?
Yep….who cares.
Now…..back to slack jaw Giselle.
I wouldn’t root her with your dick.
Her x on the other has the best arse!
Well thanks Dd got my back…cross her with Julia Roberts you get trojan horse mouth.
Exactly
Griff’s contract needs to be booked as a Quicksilver liability if that’s the case
Its hard to visualise Quick and Bong as arch rivals when they owned by the same Hedge Fund?
with headquarters protected by huge seawall, a moat, and little canon holes for blasting out t-shirts, and revenue projections…
Who really cares that you worked for Surfer or Surfing. That is in the past. You live in the present of BG.
Not reeling, yawning.
Another day on the grind with my chinese surfs up tshirt awaits.
the white kanoa