News

#106

Matthijs Visch Appointed General Manager, EMEA At Patagonia

Starting in May 2021 and operating out of Patagonia’s Amsterdam HQ, Matthijs Visch has been appointed General Manager, EMEA. Visch brings 24 years of managerial experience and a passion for the natural world to the role.

Events Of WSL Championship Tour’s Next Leg Confirmed

The Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver will replace February’s cancelled Santa Cruz Pro. The Corona Open J-Bay and the MEO Pro Portugal have been postponed until 2022 and the Outerknown Tahiti Pro in Teahupo’o will also play host to the women’s event alongside the men’s.

Columbia Sportswear Co’s Senior VP, Emerging Brands Doug Morse Announces Retirement

After 5 years at Columbia Sportswear Company as Senior VP, Emerging Brands, Doug Morse has announced his retirement. Craig Zanon will fill the Senior VP, Emerging Brands role; Zanon will begin in his role on April 5, with Morse retiring in the summer.

Dew Tour Announces New Iowa Location & Dates For May 2021

Lauridsen Skatepark, the new Olympic-level skatepark in Des Moines, Iowa, is to host the 2021 Dew Tour Skateboard competition. The Dew Tour event will also serve as the only U.S.-based Olympic qualifier for the street and park disciplines.

WSL Partners With Former ASP CEO Brodie Carr To Aid Commercial Development In EMEA

Brodie Carr’s Front Foot Agency (FFA) has partnered with the WSL to aid the development and growth of surfing & the WSL across the E.M.E.A. region via marketing and advertising.

Florence Marine X Appoints Pat O’Connell As President

Pat O’Connell, former SVP, Tours & Head of Competition at WSL and formerly of Hurley, has been appointed President of Florence Marine X, the apparel brand co-founded by John John Florence. The role, which he will begin immediately, will be based out of Kandui Holdings HQ in California.

Oakley Official Eyewear Brand For 2021 WSL Championship Tour

For 2021, Oakley have partnered with the WSL to provide eyewear and PPE to the Championship Tour’s staff & broadcast team. The partnership also sees Oakley become the official eyewear brand of the 2021 WSL Championship Tour.

Shiner Ltd Opens New Facility In The Netherlands

UK-based distributor Shiner Ltd are strengthening their business in Europe through opening a new facility in Rotterdam. Shiner EU BV will enable quicker and more efficient distribution throughout Europe, while providing logistical solutions to issues raised by Brexit.

Stephanie Micci Appointed Global Creative & Design Director At Roxy

Roxy has appointed Stephanie Micci as their Global Creative and Design Director, a newly created role that spans all of Roxy’s product categories. WSL x Rip Curl Form 3 Year Partnership For Rip Curl WSL Finals The WSL Championship Tour is to culminate with the Rip Curl WSL Finals, a one-day event that sees the CT’s top 5 men and women compete for the World Title. Rip Curl has partnered with the WSL for 3 years on this, which further demonstrates their commitment to “supporting pro surfers”.

Boardriders Announced As Official Sponsors Of Swiss Wavepool Alaïa Bay

Ahead of its May opening and public launch in June, Alaïa Bay has announced Boardriders as its official sponsors. Boardriders brands, Quiksilver, Roxy and Billabong will see the provision of surfboards, wetsuits and experiences to surfers, while also opening a new retail concept store on the site.

BB Agentur Appointed Distributors Of Pro-Tec Winter Sport Range Across Europe + UK

Denmark-based distributor BB Agentur Asp has been appointed as distributor of the winter sport range at Pro-Tec. BB Agentur will distribute Pro-Tec products across Europe and in the UK.

Columbia Appoints Skip Potter As Executive VP, Chief Digital Information Officer

Skip Potter has been appointed the newly created role of Executive VP, Chief Digital Information Officer at Columbia Sportswear Company, owners of Columbia Sportswear. In this role, Skip will be responsible for developing and progressing Columbia’s digital footprint.

Eyewear Brand Ûs The Movement Launched By Surf Industry Pros & Vets

Eyewear and accessory brand, Ûs the Movement has been founded by surf industry vet, former Billabong EMEA Sales Director Nigel Gibb along with Gony Zubizaretta, Kepa Acero, Marlon Lipke, and Roby D’amico. Ûs the Movement will also be expanding their product line for 2021, prioritising environmental responsibility and sustainable bio-materials.

Ka-risma Sales Agency take on new brands

Southern Germany based Sales agency ka-risma has taken on the European distribution of Telos snowboards and the distribution of Sandy Shapes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and Rad Air in Germany

OutDoor by ISPO moves dates and teams up with European Outdoor Summit

The OutDoor by ISPO Global Summit Edition will now take place from 5-7 October, in person at Messe Munich and online. The show will partner up with this year’s European Outdoor Summit (EOS) to create one major European event. Face-to-face contact and shared experiences will remain at the heart of the combined event. For more info: www.ispo.com/en/outdoor.

Seek trade show is back

This summer’s show will be from July 6-8 at its new location in Frankfurt an Main. As before the show will be held in conjunction with the Premium show and the Fashiontech conference. The change in location after a decade in Berlin should provide a new impetus behind this key summer event. www. seek.fashion

Launch of The Paddle Sport show

Philippe Doux, founder of KS Publishing and publisher of Kayak Session magazine, Paddle World magazine, Stand Up Paddle World magazine and the Paddler’s Guide, is launching The Paddle Sports show, a new European Paddle Sports industry trade launching in Lyon. France from September 29-October 1, 2021. For more info please read the interview with Philippe in this issue and go to www.thepaddlesportshow.com

C-Skins wetsuits appoints Peak Distribution as Distributor for Benelux and Germany

After 9 years working together with Peak Distribution as an agent building the C-Skins brand in these territories the transition to a distribution model came naturally in the wake of Brexit. Peak Distribution, who service an extensive network of wind, surf, kite, board sport retailers and surf schools will continue to work with the team at C-Skins to develop and distribute the best cold-water products available – all tested in the chilly waters of Northern Europe.