Equipment and Shop News

DC announces the launch of its redesigned website at www.dcshoes.com. The completely revamped site offers a fresh look at the DC world, including new sections dedicated to skate, snow, surf, moto, BMX and rally.

In addition to featuring all the footwear, apparel, outerwear, boots, snowboards and accessories DC has to offer, the site will serve as a dynamic content hub for its elite roster of athletes and ground breaking ‘Special Project’ collaborations. From photo galleries with images from renowned team photographers, exclusive and behind-the-scenes videos, and in-depth interviews with DC athletes, www.dcshoes.com provides a 360-degree look at DC and its action sports icons like Danny Way, Travis Pastrana, Bruce Irons, Dave Mirra and the rest of the DC Teams. Additionally, the site offers calendars of upcoming happenings, weekly news updates, and sections for real-time content for when DC teams hit the road.

Visitors will get an insider’s view of DC’s Special Project series. The series extensive roster of partners dates back to 2001 and includes the likes of internationally renowned musician Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park); influential art curator Aaron Rose (Beautiful Losers); famed sneaker artist Methamphibian; legendary BMX brand SE Racing; and artists like Shepard Fairey, Kaws and SSUR. The latest in DC product from DC Men’s, Women’s, Life and Kids, exclusive events and collaborations will all be featured on the new www.dcshoes.com.

“DC is incredibly dynamic across all our athletes, events, products, and the brand as a whole,” said DC Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer Ken Block. “This new site gives us the perfect canvas to present it all. We’ve always got something going on and have worked hard to create amazing content to tell our stories, from photos to videos and interviews. I’m thrilled with how it turned out.”

The site also features the new DC Online Store, providing visitors the ability to purchase direct from DC’s extensive product line. From men’s, women’s, and kid’s shoes and apparel, outerwear, snowboards, snowboard boots and accessories, the online store will feature the latest in DC product.

Visit www.dcshoes.com to check out the fresh new site.

From Friday the 5th of September until Sunday the 7th September, TSA & Ellis Brigham Manchester will be welcoming the return of the legendary SKI GRAB. Huge savings on all past season snowboard stock, ski hardware, winter clothing and accessories.

With prices slashed by as much as 75% HUGE savings are to be had.

There is no bigger or better clearance sale. Massive savings across all lines for one weekend only.
All stock has got to go.

SKI GRAB kicks off 12 noon Friday 5th September.

For further information contact TSA/Ellis Brigham, Castlefield, Manchester - 0161 211 6201

A new ski jacket incorporating discreet solar panels in the collar is due to be launched by Zenga this winter. Designed by Ermenegildo Zegna, the jacket should be able to charge “just about anything” in five hours, with mobile phone and iPod users a key market. Due to be released in November, prices are likely to range from $750 to $1000 (US) (£375 to £500).

During the exciting redevelopment of the Hemel Ski Centre from a dry ski slope to a real indoor Snow Centre, Hemel's Snow+Rock store will be closed, but they are now pleased to announce that they will be opening a temporary location down the road in St. Albans.

The 2,500 square feet location, only 15 minutes down the road, will open in early September and will trade throughout the winter season until their bran new 8,000 square feet store opens at the beginning of April 2009 alongside the Hemel Snow Centre.

Snow+Rock temporary store:
Norman House,
97-99 London Road,
St. Albans,
Hertfordshire,
AL1 1LN

I drove passed the slope this morning on the way to work and there's lots of large metal trusses being lifted around the site. I'll get some more shots over the next few days, but they certainly seem to be cracking on.

Billabong International Limited today announced the acquisition of Sector 9, a premium Southern California-based skateboard brand.

Sector 9 was founded in 1994 and has emerged as a market leader in the design and manufacture of skate longboards, a fast-growing niche segment within the skateboard market.

Billabong International Limited Chief Executive Officer Derek O’Neill said Sector 9 operated in the speciality boardsports channel with a unique product offering. “Sector 9’s products, primarily its longboards, really differentiate it from other brands in the boardsports channel and have appeal to surfers, skateboarders and the broader youth market,” said Mr O’Neill. “The company has not only proved the viability of the longboard segment, it has experienced sustained growth over the past decade and has become synonymous with the California boardsport lifestyle.”

Co-founders and owners Steve Lake and Dennis Telfer and co-owner Dave Klimkiewicz are being retained as part of the acquisition in their current roles. Mr Lake, Sector 9’s President, said he was excited by the prospect of teaming with a boardsports industry leader.

“While Sector 9 continues to maintain solid growth in the US, we are most excited at the prospect of combining our brand’s growing international awareness with Billabong’s proven global distribution network,” said Mr Lake. The purchase of Sector 9 includes its Gullwing skateboard trucks brand.

The bulk of Sector 9’s revenues are generated by skateboard and associated hardgoods sales, while apparel is a small but emerging category. Sector 9 operates a vertical business model, with its primary design, manufacturing and distribution all based in San Diego.

Sector 9 is expected to contribute approximately 2% to Billabong International Limited’s sales in the 2008-09 financial year. The acquisition is expected to be earnings per share accretive in year one.

Billabong is proud to announce its continued sponsorship of pro snowboarder sensation Jamie Anderson, re-signing a multi-year contract.

This year Jamie Anderson proved to be without a doubt one of the most talented female snowboarders on the competition circuit. She rides with unmatched style and precision at every event. Her highest accolades include claiming her second Women’s Slopestyle Gold Medal at Winter X Games and winning the 2007/2008 TTR Women’s Title.

“We are so excited to continue our relationship with Jamie”, says Billabong Brand Director, Candy Harris. “Last season was amazing ending with her TTR win, we are looking forward to a strong season from her next year.”

As part of Anderson’s new deal, Billabong designers have begun collaborating with Jamie on the development of her signature outerwear line to be released Fall of 2009. Billabong looks forward to supporting and celebrating Anderson’s stardom.

“Billabong is such a great company to be a part of, I’m really excited about my new signature outerwear line coming out” says Anderson. “I’m just excited to be a part of everything with them. Billabong is awesome!”

Summer Price Blowout!!!

Snowboard-clearance.com isn't your normal cheap snowboard clearance website, we don't ferret around the obscure cheap snowboard brands of the world and fill our site with brands you have never heard of or whose only claim to fame is they make cheap stuff. We offer the best deals from the biggest and best snowboard brands that the world has to offer. We offer discount boards, boots, bindings and clothes from all the top brands.

If you get online now you will see that we have quite possibly the craziest reductions on snowboard products ever.

A Palmer Andy Finch is now down to the measly sum of £150.00.

K2 Cinch bindings for less than a £100, oh yes. The K2 Cinch 05s is down to only £70.00.

Celsius Cirrus boots for only £35.00. That’s a massive saving of £115.00

All Academy boards are now less than £130.00.

Huge savings on Icon snowboards – Icon Asguard a total all mountain monster is down to £150.00 and for the more freestyle conscious rider check out the Revival at £160.00.

These deals are literally the tip of the iceberg, we have massive savings on Burton, Lib Tech, Signal, DWD, Salomon, K2, Apo, Icon, Volkl, Switch, Morrow, Agency, Albin, Vans, 32, Bataleon, Northwave, Celsius, Flow, Ride, Rome, Capita, Farmer, Palmer, Stepchild and Nice.

If you want the best deals on all snowboard hardware your first port of call has got to be... www.snowboard-clearance.com!

Snow + Rock at Covent Garden are still going strong with their snowboard sale this summer...some boards with as much as 50% off! Bargain! Great reductions on boots and bindings too. Worth checking out!

The mercury is hitting record highs for May and the snowy peaks may be a distant memory for most but that’s now reason to get down.

At The Snowboard Asylum we have slashed all our sale prices even further.

All snowboard hardware is now massively reduced.

There has never been a better to buy with huge reductions on all snowboard boots, boards and bindings. Here are just a few examples of the amazing savings we have on offer.

Burton T6 snowboard, sale price was £467.50 now £385.00

Bataleon FunKink snowboard, sale price was £247.50 now £192.50

32 TM Two snowboard boot, sale price was £151.99 now £132.99

Salomon Relay XLT binding sale price £180.00 now £140.00

And the savings don’t stop there. All Burton, Bonfire, Foursquare, Special Blend and Westbeach clothing is now half price plus we have huge savings on all Vans snowboard clothing.

Further sale reductions start Saturday the 17th of May in store and online.

www.snowboard-asylum.com

As part of its ongoing commitment to the preservation of the environment, action sports leader Sole Technology, parent company of etnies, éS, Emerica, ThirtyTwo and Altamont apparel, today announced the results of its first corporate eco-audit to measure the company’s overall carbon footprint, and its goal of becoming a carbon neutral company by the year 2020.

“Corporate responsibility and environmental conservation have been at the forefront of our philosophy for many years and our commitment to making an impact on the consumer, the industry, and the planet is stronger than ever,” said Pierre Andre Senizergues, CEO and founder of Sole Technology. “As we release the results of our first eco-audit, we look to our team, our customers, and our partners in the action sports world to help us become a carbon neutral company that will pave the way for a greener future.”

Led by the company’s environmental affairs manager, Roian Atwood, the eco-audit examined the organization’s activities over the course of more than seven years, focusing predominantly on its carbon emissions, waste and consumption, and water usage. In addition to this detailed study, etnies has executed the installation of 616 solar panels, the conversion to water-based cement manufacturing, corporate wide-recycling efforts, and the creation of a seasonal sustainable footwear and apparel collection, the etnies SEED Project.

“We are confident that the future looks bright for eco-conscious corporations, and we strive to be a leader in the field every day,” said Atwood. “By sharing our findings and making a conscious effort to use the results to alter our business practices and impact on the environment, we hope to play a key role in changing today’s corporate culture for a stronger tomorrow.”

The Sole Technology eco-audit found that in 2007, the company generated 40,000 tons of CO2, equivalent to volume of 2.5 billion shoe boxes 58 percent of which came from footwear manufacturing and the emissions released in the development process through the use of coal-burning sources and electricity. Another 18 percent of its carbon emissions are attributed to the making of the brand’s cardboard boxes, and 8 percent is related to logistics and shipping.

In terms of waste and consumption, Sole Technology found that of the 72,000 pounds of internal trash it consumed, the company recycled 57 percent, exceeding the country’s national average of 30 percent, and California’s average of 50 percent. By 2010, Sole Technology’s goal is to recycle 70 percent of their waste with assistance from the Blue Bin Brigade, an internal committee of department executives whose goal it is to increase awareness and find environmentally-friendly means of conducting business.

“Given the harsh abuse on a skateboarder’s shoes, our industry is constantly challenged with the issue of consumption, which is why we strive to make the most durable, quality products in the market,” said Senizergues. “Building long lasting products that are sturdy and have a longer life with consumers is an important element to consider in the eco discussions related to manufacturing and consumption.”

The eco-audit determined that 95 percent of Sole Technology’s water usage is attributed to the company’s apparel development, an industry-wide concern among clothing manufacturers that is a leading cause of damage to the environment. By taking immediate actions on business offices such as installing waterless urinals that save 325,000 gallons of water annually and dual flush toilets, the company is already affecting its internal water usage as it continues to research innovative technologies that will also benefit the manufacturing process.

Senizergues’ personal commitment to the environment and ecologically conscious lifestyle has made him a trailblazer in the industry, having implemented green practices many years ago. In addition to his professional goals, Senizergues practices green living at home as well, and has been honored by Global Green USA with a Corporate Environmental Leadership Award for his environmental practices and corporate responsibility. He was also an executive producer with Leonardo DiCaprio on the documentary The 11th Hour about the effects of global warming and how society can prevent further damage.

About Sole Technology, Inc.

Gravis footwear proudly welcomes James Carr and Tom 'Lil T' Guilmard to it's UK Snowboard team.

Both the guys have been working hard all winter with James recently coming 5th at the Burton AM tour in Switzerland and then leading the charge for the UK at the Battle of Waterloo, Avoriaz. Lil T has just come back from Tahoe where he was filming for the new Tearoom Productions movie 'Bread & Butter' out later this year.

Both James and Lil T will be at the BRITS in Laax next week riding, competing and staying out late....

James/Tom

Sputnik Snowboard Shop are currently running a competition where you could Win a Brand New Volcom Women's Prism Snowboard Jacket. The competition is running from now until April 15th.

Snow & Rock at Covent Garden have received a lot of old season hardware from our warehouse today- namely bindings and some models are selling for less than £50! Be great for dry slope sessions in the summer! Boards and boots we are selling up to 30% off.

K2 has launched the Zero, a new snowboard that the US company hopes will be a step forward in the move towards more environment friendly equipment.

"What we did was break down our snowboards from how it was built to how it was packaged,'' Doug Sanders, who manages the snowboard line at K2, told local media. "We asked, 'Do we really need this or that? And how can we get this on the shelf in a less obtrusive manner?"

The Zero board has a bamboo core and will not have a plastic shrink wrap on it in shops unlike most skis and boards sold today. K2 intends to reduce this packaging on all its skis and boards in future. Getting rid of excess construction material reduced the board’s weight be about 100 grammes which the company believe will make it a better ride for users.

K2 officials said being environmental friendly has become one of the company's top priorities, especially in light of growing concerns about global warming.

"Let's face it, we need snow for customers to use our products," said a company spokesman.

The London Fashion Awards have nominated Blueskin for best Urbanwear brand.

You can vote for Niki and her team online and the closing date is 2nd March so vote NOW! Voting is a doddle and there's no registration or anything like that.

www.londonfashionawards.com/london-fashion-awards-category12

On Saturday the 1st March, TSA start their biggest ever sale.

With savings of up to 30% on 07/08 hardware, it's the perfect time to grab yourself a bargain. The sale includes boards from the biggest name manufacturers and some of the smallest core brands - there really is something to suit everyone. With great snow still in the Alps, this gives a great opportunity to grab a new board and save a bucket load of cash. For example, save £75 on a Burton Air down from £300 to £225, save £66 on an Icon Wallpaper, a banging first board down from £220 to only £154. As well as a full range of boards there are also huge savings to be made on Boots, Bindings, Clothing and Luggage.

Check out the savings at www.snowboard-asylum.com from Friday.

Fat Face Technical Kit Did you know that http://www.fatface.com produce some of the best technical kit on the market,meaning you can hit the slopes in absolute style? The Fat Face philosophy of ‘Lifeis Out There’ supports the thinking behind all the Fat Face technical gear. Theexciting range provides every adventurer with serious protection from all theelements and is built to last. Fat Face has chosen the best, highest performancematerials and used the worlds leading manufacturers.

The kit is designed to work as a complete layering system for those who like toexperience the excitement of every outdoor activity, making it some of the mostversatile clothing in the industry.

Endorsed by Fat Face’s own elite Team Riders, the kit has been tested to destruction…..andsurvived!

Base Layers – Merino wool


A breakthrough in comfort, Fat Face searched the world and found the natural

fabric for their base layer, produced from the wool of Merino sheep. Thesesheep live up high in the extreme alpine environment of New Zealand. The result is an essential layer thateasily adapts to the body’s temperature and, being naturally breathable, offersthe optimum degree of comfort, dryness and wicking effectiveness.

Mid Layer Highly

technical Pontetorto material has been used to create the warm mid layer pieces,providing extreme shelter from wind chill; three times more wind resistant thantraditional fleece. The fabric is extremely breathable preventing anyperspiration retention. The mid layer comes with secure stitch-free laminatedpockets, laser cut shoulder panels and chest pockets. A draw string neck andthumb loops add to the cutting edge style and design.

The Soft Shell

These highly acclaimed jackets offer the wearer perfect protection and use a Lycra four-way stretch materialfor fit, comfort and freedom of movement. They are durable, water and abrasionresistant, highly breathable and offer excellent wind protection for ultimatecomfort. These jackets are an essential for every wardrobe, whatever the sport!

Goose down Gilets

These garments use Nanosphere technology to prevent the build-up of dirt. When the

temperate really drops simply don one of the Fat Face goose down gilets forincredible warmth! These gilets are the ultimate in style, heat retention andcan be packed down into their own bag for compact storage.

Outer Layer


The hard shell jackets for the outer layer use DiALiGHT so the fabric can breathe,at the same time as providing windproof and complete water resistance. Features include stowable hood, Lycracuffs to keep warmth in, removable snow skirts, pit zips for added ventilationand laminated anti abrasion shoulder patches for durability if wearing a rucksack.There’s even hidden storage for an MP3 player, with feeder loops for theheadphones. We’ve thought of everything!

Accessories


Fat Face has produced an awesome selection of accessories including socks, hats,windproof and waterproof gloves. For the full range visit http://www.fatface.com

Burton has increases its commitment to boardsports by acquiring leading skateboard manufacturer, DNA Distribution.

DNA Distribution, which includes skateboarding brands Alien Workshop, Habitat and Reflex, today announced that the company has been acquired by Burton.

The two companies began discussions over a year ago and found that they share a common approach in the way that they contribute to boardsports culture, including a commitment to creating long-lasting relationships with their teams of international athletes. In addition, both are committed to advancing and innovating hardgoods technologies, as well as the artistry and creativity associated with these sports; supporting a solid team of amateur riders; and providing best customer service practices.

DNA Distribution will continue to operate in Dayton, Ohio and CEO and Co-Founder Chris Carter will continue to oversee the DNA brands, which include Alien Workshop, Habitat and Reflex Bearings.

“We are very excited to bring the DNA family of brands to Burton - a company that we truly respect,” says Chris Carter, Chief Executive Officer for DNA Distribution. “Burton clearly leads their market in terms of team, innovation, marketing and values. Joe, Mike and I look forward to leveraging Burton's strengths to reach the full potential for the DNA brands: Alien Workshop, Habitat and Reflex.”

“Through surfing and snowboarding we have learned that hardgoods are the foundation of all boardsports, and with the addition of DNA to our family, we are on our way to delivering skaters what they want and expect,” says Jake Burton, Founder and Chairman of Burton. “As with Al Merrick and the crew at Channel Islands, the relationship with Chris, Mike and Joe at DNA has been a natural fit right from the start. Everyone around here is committed to growing Burton into a true boardsports company, so I am confident that we can provide a home where DNA and their team of skaters can build upon what they have already excelled at in the skate industry.”

“We couldn't have found a better company to work with than DNA,” says Laurent Potdevin, Burton’s Chief Executive Officer. “Burton and all of its brands are authentically committed to snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding without distractions from other sports, products or categories. This acquisition completes a strategy that we have been very focused on for quite some time and marks a new milestone in the evolution of Burton and its family of brands.”

About DNA Distribution

About Burton

Bamboo appears to be the natural material of choice for the manufacturer of both snowboards and skiwear. The organisers of the upcoming Slide trade show for the UK ski industry has identified eco trends in new product manufacturing.

Salomon snowboards have launched a brand new freestyle eco board called the SICK STICK. Made entirely from bamboo with the edges of the snowboard being constructed from rubber and bamboo, while the layers that make up the base of the board are made of bamboo light glass. The structure of the board offers super easy transition to switch even in deep powder.

Thaw, a brand that designs thermal base layers to suit all outdoor pursuits, are launching a new line of bamboo thermal underwear to move towards more eco friendly material that still fits the technical criteria of the brand.

Bamboo thermal underwear wicks moisture away from your skin – keeping you naturally drier and keeps you comfortable in all temperatures. Worn as a base layer it traps warm air next to the skin but is highly breathable in hot weather. It is also naturally antibacterial – staying fresher and odour free for longer.

Most importantly, bamboo is just as good as or even better then any of the other alternatives but it is also extremely good for the environment.

Slide is staged from 17th-19th February 2008 at Manchester Central (previously called G-Mex) The show, (and previous events under different names), has been staged for more than 20 years and is organised by the SIGB (Snowsport Industries of Great Britain), a trade association for skiing and snowboarding. Led by a 14-strong committee, the SIGB currently has 209 member organisations from the retail, supplier and travel sectors of the industry.

www.slideuk.co.uk