(NEW YORK) – Brooklyn, NY has always been a place of radical change; in the past decade there have been a number of small businesses that have pledged their allegiance to begin in Brooklyn and thrive in Brooklyn. One of these companies is NYC Freeride, which, is amongst some of the premier mountain biking component companies claiming refuge in the heart of Brooklyn.

As a progressive company NYC Freeride has been open to exploring new ideas and ways to promote their brand as well as streamline their operations. One of these new ideas is a partnership with a radical new company Xpparel. The premise behind the partnership is the delegation of all NYC Freeride branded apparel to Xpparel. NYC Freeride gets to produce their products and Xpparel manages the apparel lines from start to finish; all the while leaving NYC Freeride to focus on what they do best; making components.

Founder and President of NYC Freeride Andrew Grossi commented on the importance of branded apparel saying, “It’s become clear in the extreme sports industry that apparel sales drive a brand. As much as we love seeing our components as a platform for our brand, there’s no doubt that branded apparel builds brand recognition”.

Xpparel founders Matt Wilson and Rob Ianelli are eager to develop the construction and enhancement of apparel lines for the extreme sports industry. Wilson was quoted saying, “We are looking to build Xpparel.com into a one-stop shop to find clothing from your favorite niche action sports company”. Xpparel provides both a streamlined apparel solution for extreme sports gear manufacturers as well as provide a distinct website for niche extreme sports enthusiasts to purchase apparel they identify with and want to represent.

As of now NYC Freeride apparel can be found on their website www.nycfreeride.com as well as Xpparel.com. Customers can choose from current styles of shirts and accessories. For more information on Xpparel email direct rob@hipvisions.com

Longtime action-sports businessman and network television host Todd Weatherill has inked a deal with the classic and retro skateboard brand Bahne to become their VP of Finance, set up US distribution channels, and manage the brand’s profitability and US Business Operations.

“Bahne has a strong brand name recognition among enthusiasts. My goal is to build on that recognition while protecting the brand at the grass-roots. We are utilizing sustainable and renewable sources in the area, and will be supporting only US based, US manufactured materials. While many of the other brands have gone off-shore and ruined our economy, we are doing to opposite…We are building a US-supported company throughout.”

“Action Sports companies need to re-invest back in America to save our economy, our profits, and our environment. Tomorrow starts with what and where we buy today.”

“This is a lifetime dream and I am looking forward to working with the Bahnes to make us one of the big players again,” said Weatherill.

Save Gas…Bomb A Bahne www.bahneskateboards.com

For more information on Todd Weatherill: you may google search his name, or: www.toddweatherill.com Todd is a well-respected Key-Note Speaker, Sales Trainer, and Commercial Talent. Todd also hosts the one hour weekly syndicated talk show: Action Sports Central on www.latalkradio.com and freelances sideline, hosting, play by play and color for ESPN, ABC, Fox, and OLN.

Bahne’s history
In 1972, Bill and Bob Bahne began manufacturing skateboards. Based in Encinitas, California where the two brothers produced hundreds of thousands of skateboards during the seventies.

The brand is probably most well known for their flexible, fiberglass boards equipped with Chicago trucks and Cadillac Wheels, and the 1975 Bahne Cadillac Nationals at Del Mar Faigrounds where the birth of modern skateboarding took place.

For more information on BAHNE please visit their website at www.bahneskateboards.com

Laguna Beach, CA July 30, 2008) - With the Red Bull Big Wave Africa Event successfully completed, all eyes are now on the APT/Chile, Punta de Lobos Tow-In and Big Wave Surfing event. Event Organizers and the A-list of who’s who of international big wave competitors are ampted and ready to go when the right swell hits.

This first of a kind and exclusive world-class specialty tow-in and big wave surfing event will crown winners on each day. The overall winner will be the one who places highest in both the paddle and tow-in contest with a combined score and will receive the APT Waterman Award. In total there will be a purse of $37,500.00 US and awards to be handed out to the top winning competitors.

“With just a little over six weeks left in the extended holding period, we are hopeful and more then ready to pull of the first leg of the 2008/2009 APT World Tour.” – Said, Rodney Kilborn - APT’s Global Vice President

“For the past couple of years, we’ve been working hard with APT to create a full-blown big wave surfing tour. The tour has been dreamed up and shaped by the surfers themselves and the APT has been great with giving the athletes a lot of say in how the events should be run. It’s been my goal to see a legitimate, world tour that travels around the globe searching out the biggest, meanest waves to compete in. We’ve got the Chile event locked in and we’re looking to run a contest at Pe’ahi (aka: JAWS) this winter, and also scoping out venues in Australia, Tahiti, South Africa and France. It’s awesome being involved with the tour while it’s still in an early development stage. The APT is holding down the business side of the program and leaving the contest formats, locations, etc. all to the surfers and competitors. I’m really optimistic for the future of a professional big-wave tour.” -Said, Jamie Sterling Big Wave Surfer and APT Pro Rated Competitor.

APT would like to acknowledge and congratulate five of the six finalists that placed in the RBBWA and are also APT pro-rated competing members. 1st Place went to Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker of South Africa, 2nd Place went to Carlos Burle of Brazil, 3rd place went to Greg Long of California, 5th Place went to Anthony Tashnick of California and 6th Place went to Mark Healey of Hawaii.
For full RBBWA event news and images go to: http://www.redbullbwa.com/index.php

APT would also like to congratulate Jamie Mitchell (another APT competing member) for taking 1st place and his 7th victory win of the QuikSilver Edition Molokai. Jamie Mitchell is also one of APT’s very first international members to join back in 2003 when the organization was founded.
Press release here: http://towchat.towsurfer.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=368&PN=1&TPN=1

“I think it’s great what the APT crew are doing to promote the growth of competitive tow-in surfing. They have been working really hard over the past few years to develop a World Tour and they are seeking the best big wave spots around the Globe for its venues and the competitors. The competitors involved, have a big say on a lot of the issues and the development of the tour. I am stoked to be a part of it and I can’t wait to be in Chile for this event.” –Said, Jamie Mitchell World Champion Paddle Board Racer, Big Wave Surfer and APT Competitor

For detailed Chile event information, photo galleries and video clips on location, please visit official event website: www.Protowsurfers.org

Event Sponsors: City of Pichilemu Magico & Natural, Secano Turismo Region de O’Higgins, Ocean Extrem0, Reserva Marina Punta de Lobos, SurfY Naturaelza Chile, Club de Surf Punta de Lobos, Federation Chilena de Surf, Fletcha Surf, Chile Surf, Surf Festival, Handsome Bugga Productions, HSA, Surfline, TowSurfer, Street Machine, Allrent, Dunmar Turistico, Hostal Punta de Lobos, Alquiler Los leones, Inmobiliaria Pichilemu, SierrAzul, Pullman Bus, Revista Demolicion and Powerlines Productions.

About the Association of Professional Towsurfers, Inc. (APT)
The Association of Professional Towsurfers, was Founded on March 6, 2003 with the charter to support the responsible growth and development of Tow-In Surfing. The Association of Professional Towsurfers, is dedicated to sanctioning and promoting world class competitions, dissemination of safety and technical information to athletes, and technical direction to event organizers. The Association of Professional Towsurfers embraces corporate sponsors and media entities that provide the support necessary to increase its events and goals. The Association of Professional Towsurfers has goals to expand its support throughout the world, lobby government agencies and municipalities to provide more certified tow-in access to ocean venues, and be ever attentive to the unique technical and safety needs of this evolving sport and its constituents.

With the first sporting event in their new facility, the Bank of Kentucky Center at Northern Kentucky University will host the country’s premier action sports circuit when ASA Entertainment’s (ASA) Action Sports World Tour (ASWT) returns to Greater Cincinnati on October 3 and 4. The Action Sports World Tour will offer fans two nights of explosive action sports entertainment featuring the world’s best in skateboarding and BMX competition as well as high-flying freestyle motocross exhibitions and top-name bands performing live. This is the final opportunity for the sport’s most daring athletes to showcase their talents and gain the ranking points needed to qualify for the prestigious LG Action Sports World Championships.

ASA’s Action Sports World Tour offers more than $1 million in prize money and draws the top athletes from around the world, including a host of X Games and World Champions such as Bucky Lasek (Baltimore, MD), Pierre-Luc Gagnon (Montreal, Canada), Ryan Nyquist (Los Gatos, CA), Simon Tabron (Newquay, England), Kevin Robinson (East Providence, Rhode Island), Jamie Bestwick (Nottingham, England), and Sandro Dias (Santo Andre, Brazil).

Tickets for the Cincinnati ASWT go on sale on Friday, August 1st at 10:00 a.m. Seats start at $7.50 for military personnel and children and are available at all Ticketmaster locations, select Kroger stores, Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 513 562 4949 to charge them by phone. For more ticket information, please visit actionsportstour.com.

The Cincinnati ASWT event will be televised nationally on CBS Sports on November 8. Please check your local listings for details in your area. For more information on the 2008 ASA Entertainment Action Sports World Tour, contact Denise M. Abbott at 310 410 3020 or via email at abbott@asaent.com, or Bryan Wright at 513 318 8855 or bryan.wright@strata-g.com.

About ASA Entertainment:
A leader in the action sports industry since 1994, ASA Entertainment, headquartered in Culver City, California is the largest action sports event and television production company in the world. The company produces more than 200 events and 100 television programs annually around the globe that feature skateboarding, freestyle BMX, inline skating, freeskiing, freestyle motocross, snowboarding and music. Its events are broadcast on CBS, VERSUS, Spike, Fuel and Fox Sports Net domestically and distributed to more than 1 billion HH globally throughout Asia, Europe, USA, Africa, Canada, South & Central America and Australia. ASA’s properties range from large-scale international competitions such as the LG Action Sports World Championships to grassroots amateur contests, lifestyle and branded entertainment events, demonstrations, exhibitions and mobile tours. As one of the oldest and most established organizations in action sports, ASA Entertainment leads the market in developing premium content around the fastest growing sector of American sports. For more information visit www.actionsportstour.com or www.asaentertainment.com.

The 36th annual SURFER Poll and Video Awards Presented by Suzuki Automotive returns to The Grove in Anaheim, Calif., on Sept. 9, 2008. The history-making event draws the biggest names in surfing, as well as a who’s who of other elite action sports athletes and television, film and reality stars. Generous support from Suzuki Auto, which will present the event for the fourth consecutive year, in addition to other sponsors has allowed the event to grow and evolve to the epic proportions it is today, and this year promises even more great attendees, special guests and surprises.

“Suzuki’s philosophy is to encourage and support people who pursue new experiences and fulfill their sense of discovery, an attitude that clicks with surfing’s free-spirited lifestyle,” said Gene Brown, vice president of marketing for American Suzuki Automotive Operations. “With its rich content and its iconic covers, SURFER has long been a part of the adventure culture Suzuki also embraces, and we are proud of our ongoing relationship with the magazine and with the SURFER Poll and Video Awards.”

(more…)

Los Angeles, Calif., July 15, 2008 ­ Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) is pleased to announce the return of the popular CCS Girls t-shirt promotion for the third year running. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, limited edition co-branded B4BC t-shirts will be available for purchase exclusively at CCS.com, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting B4BC¹s efforts.

Throughout the month, CCS Girls Online will offer an exclusive, limited-edition collection of B4BC co-branded products from all the best action sports brands including: Billabong, Burton, CCS, Circa, DVS, Element, Enjoi, Etnies, Hurley, Paul Frank, Volcom, Von Zipper and Zoo York. New to the promotion this year, CCS Girls is launching the Design a B4BC Tee Contest giving aspiring designers (or anyone with a creative concept), the chance to participate. The winning design will be sold on the CCS website alongside the rest of the B4BC tees. For more information, visit www.ccs.com .

“CCS is proud to join with our brands in supporting B4BC through the sale and 100 percent donation of the skate/surf/snow B4BC t-shirts,” said Susan Van Arsdale, general merchandise manager, CCS. “This is our third year of partnering with B4BC because the cause is so important to us and our customers. We’re also excited this year to include a customer-designed B4BC t-shirt to be sold on the website starting in October, along with the many exclusive branded B4BC t-shirts. Through our efforts, we hope to support and further B4BC¹s educational outreach.”

Beginning October 1, the limited edition product will be available at www.ccs.com.

About CCS
CCS markets and sells apparel, footwear, skateboard and snowboard products, primarily targeting teenage guys and girls who either actively skate and board or aspire to the skate and snowboarder lifestyle via catalogs and the internet. CCS offers a wide selection of well-known board sport-inspired name brands such as Element, DC Shoes, Vans, Fallen, Emerica, Volcom and Nike SB, as well as its own CCS brand.

About Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC)
Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) is a nonprofit, youth-focused education, awareness and fundraising foundation designed to increase awareness about breast cancer, the importance of early detection and the value of an active lifestyle. Boarding for Breast Cancer was inspired by Monica Steward, who started her battle with breast cancer at the age of 26.

Robust Flavor is pleased to feature an interview with Jersey wiseguy and professional surfer Ben McBrien. Ben travels the world but always comes home to charge the tough Northeast conditions and cold winters. His New England and Canadian adventures have earned him hardcore status amongst the Northeast surfing elite. Check out the entire interview at http://blog.robustflavor.com

Robust Flavor is an online select shop and cultural information hub offering the best unique apparel, footwear and accessories from key independent brands. For more information, please go to www.robustflavor.com

Supergirl Junior Pro to Showcase Top Up-and-Coming Female Surfers

-Women’s Jr. Pro Returns During the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing This July-

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 24, 2008) – As one of the featured events during a week full of fun-in-the-sun at the GO211 Live festival and U.S. Open of Surfing at the famed Huntington Beach Pier, the Women’s Junior Pro returns to the surfing world’s competition line-up with a new title sponsor. The Supergirl Junior Pro will identify and celebrate the emerging stars in women’s surfing between July 18 - 26 when surfing’s top 18-and-under female surfers will take to the waves in their hunt for standing atop the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) junior ranks and their share of the $12,500 Supergirl Junior Pro prize purse. The finals of the event will round out the three-day, all-female action sports competition, the S3 Supergirl Jam, which is part of the GO211 Live festival and takes place from July 25-27.

“The Honda U.S. Open of Surfing is one of the most heavily attended professional surfing competitions in the world. We hope these girls inspire other young women to get out there and start surfing,” states Brodie Carr, CEO of the ASP.

As an element of the 2nd Annual S3 Supergirl Jam, the largest, all-girls action sports competition and lifestyle/music festival, the Supergirl Junior Pro also acknowledges and promotes female strength, independence and empowerment by creating another platform upon which today’s female athletes can compete.

“This event is important to young female competitors as they try to further their personal achievement and strive for their place among the ranks of the ASP,” said professional surfer and S3 Supergirl Jam host committee member Kassia Meador.

The last Women’s Junior Pro took place in 2006, with South Africa’s Nikita Robb receiving top honors and Karina Petroni (Atlantic Beach, FL), Coco Ho (Sunset Beach, HI) and Erica Hosseini (Newport Beach, Calif.) turning in memorable performances. All four women continue to compete in events on the World Qualifying Series (WQS), and Karina Petroni is currently the youngest competitor on the prestigious ASP Women’s World Tour. Along with Santa Ana’s 15 year-old Courtney Conlogue and Kauai’s Alana Blanchard, (other 2006 Women’s Jr. Pro notables) these women are listed on Surfer Magazine’s “Hot 100 to Watch in 2008”. The Supergirl Junior Pro gives young ladies like these the opportunity to celebrate their talents while recognizing their personal strength and confidence.

Supergirl Junior Pro will stream live via GO211.com and air as part of a 60-minute S3 Supergirl Jam telecast on network and cable television. Please stay tuned to s3supergirljam.com or check your local listings for more broadcast details.

ASA Entertainment, the largest action sports event, TV and content production company in the U.S., owns and manages the S3 Supergirl Jam with its partner, Warner Bros Consumer Products.

For more information on the Supergirl Junior Pro, visit s3supergirljam.com.

About S3 Supergirl Jam Producer, ASA Entertainment:
A leader in the action sports industry since 1994, ASA Entertainment, headquartered in Culver City, California is the first and largest action sports event and television production company in the world. The company produces more than 200 events and 100 television programs annually around the globe that feature skateboarding, freestyle BMX, inline skating, freeskiing, freestyle motocross, snowboarding and music. Its events are broadcast on CBS, Spike, VERSUS, Fuel TV and Fox Sports Net domestically and distributed to more than 1 billion HH globally throughout Asia, Europe, USA, Africa, Canada, South & Central America and Australia. ASA’s properties range from large-scale international competitions such as the LG Action Sports World Championships to grassroots amateur contests, lifestyle and branded entertainment events, demonstrations, exhibitions and mobile tours. As one of the oldest and most established organizations in action sports, ASA Entertainment leads the market in developing premium content around the fastest growing sector of American sports. For more information visit www.actionsportstour.com or www.asaentertainment.com.

About the ASP:
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body of professional surfing. Crowning surfing’s undisputed world champions since 1976, the ASP sanctions the following tours: the Foster’s ASP World Tour, the ASP Women’s World Tour, the World Qualifying Series (WQS) and the World Longboarding, Junior and Masters Championships. The ASP is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfing talent in a variety of progressive formats and has revolutionized the way the world watches surfing via their webcasts. The organization is divided into seven different regions: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America, and South America.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products:
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About DC Comics:
DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.

SUPERGIRL and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.

Nike 6.0 and punk stalwarts, Alkaline Trio, joined forces to translate the energy of action sports and punk rock into a pair of collaborative kicks. The Heart and Sole Air Zoom Cush and a limited run of messenger bags will be released June 27th exclusively at Jacks Retail Shop in Huntington Beach. Alkaline Trio recently kicked off their summer tour, supporting their new album Agony and Irony and the release of the shoe. The Heart and Sole Air Zoom Cush will be available at select retailers nationwide on July 11th.

“The collaboration between Nike 6.0 and Alkaline Trio was a natural fit. Punk rock’s independent spirit is a common thread with action sports, and the band member’s live the lifestyle we support.” said Tim Reede, Nike 6.0 Product Line Manager. “We were able to create unique materials and details that reflect the band’s history, resulting in a collaboration that truly tells a story.”

“We chose red and black as the main colors to reflect our Chicago roots and pay homage to the Bulls. We are huge fans,” said Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio. “I’m also into sneakers, so seeing the swoosh and our logo on one product is unbelievable. The shoe looks amazing and provides some insight into who we are.”

Custom design elements include reflective details and bike-tread inspired graphics, correlating to the band’s formative years in Chicago where the members met while working as bike messengers. Distressed materials translate the punk ethos, and the Alkaline Trio logo is featured on the heel cup. The Heart and Sole Cush is constructed of all synthetics, supporting select band members who are vegetarian.

(more…)

Quality, style and diversity continues as Komunity Project adds the many talents and exposure of Floridian surfer Alek Parker. Alek will be sharing his vast menu of surf antics, hero good looks, and XXX-large personality to the Komunity team. Design of Alek’s custom signature series traction pads are already in development for 2009 and we’re all looking forward to Alek’s fresh input for the Komunity Project technical surf accessories division. We’re stoked to have Alek on the team.

Komunity Project officially launched their news blog at http://blog.komunityproject.com and has updated their 2008 product website at http://komunityproject.com

About Komunity Project.

Komunity Project is a select group of world-class competitive and free-ride athletes joined together to inspire the evolution of their sport. Komunity Project, is owned by world champion surfer Kelly Slater and includes team member and surf aerialists Dane Reynolds as well as a band of rock stars including Jeremy Flores, Luke Davis, Magnum Martinez, Patrick Gudauskas, Tanner Gudauskas, Dane Gudauskas, Alek Parker, Roy Powers and Kiron Jabour. Komunity makes and designs custom traction pads, world-class travel board bags (surfboard coffins and daybags), leashes, backpacks, board straps, SUP and other board sports related technical accessories. Komunity Project is based in Huntington Beach, California and growing fast. “The Next Generation, Now in Progress”.

For more information, visit http://www.komunityproject.com