The Surfrider Foundation crew: Jim, Laura, Matt, and Steve.
The rogue's gallery is up to no good.
B4BC's Justin Chiara with Fuel's CJ Olivares.
Jurgen Schulz of KFive with Mike Fox and Bob Rief of C4 Waterman.
The legendary Michael Tomson with his finance and Mike Martin from Ezekiel just a few minutes before Bob Hurley's keynote address.
Surf Expo's Nikki Houston and Perry Ellis' Devon Johnson finally see eye to eye.
An outsider no longer, SIMA President Emeritus Dick Baker welcomes the crowd to Surf Summit 11.
SIMA Executive Director Sean Smith
Together at last: Hurley Founder Bob Hurley with Dick Baker.
SIMA has been after Bob Hurley to be the keynote speaker for Surf Summit for a number of years. This year he finally relented and it was worth the wait. With his characteristic humble yet knowledgeable delivery, Bob outlined what he views as the evolution of the market--and where we might be headed from here. Check back soon to surfexpo.com for a video of his keynote address.
GSI's Mark Kelly with Surf Expo's Sean O'Brien and Roy Turner.
The coolest couple on the block: O'Neill's Ryan Rush with Ezekiel's Jessica Rush.
Early morning beach scene around the corner from the hotel.
The early mornings offered up some awe inspiring sunrises over the ocean, so you could, you know, chill out, find your place in the universe and try not to hurl up that bottle of Don Julio you downed the night before
More pretty shells--and another great moment in caption writing.
Ever wonder what it's like to tow out to some 50-foot death wish slab like Ghost Trees? Thanks to Brad Gerlach's speech on Day 2 of SIMA Surf Summit 11, I now understand why this is as close as I'll ever get. Check back to surfexpo.com for a video of the Gerr's heroic tales of big wave death and glory.
Gerr had charisma to spare and will soon link together the business lessons with his incredible experiences. Yet he offered the only true "surf" perspective of the whole weekend and that was definitely appreciated.
Tom Hsieh launched zappos after selling his former company for $265 million, so waiting to be profitable while getting the corporate culture wired was a smidge easier than what most startups enjoy.
Can you say customer service? Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh certainly could as he outlined his company's relentless drive to service its shoppers during a terrific speech during day 2 of SIMA Surf Summit 11. Yep, we got him on video too, so check back as we crunch the tape just as quickly as we can.
Big props to Sean Smith and the rest of the SIMA staff for organizing yet another great Surf Summit.
"This is radio clash on pirate satellite"--at least that was the line I couldn't get out of my head as Matt Mason talked about his days as being a pirate radio station DJ in London. Mason, who wrote the book The Pirates Dilemma underscored how creative, passionate, and skilled creators exist outside the mainstream, contributing their own content that smart brands can often tap into.
Kevin Carroll "aka little fast guy" has a personal tale of overcoming obstacles and reaching incredible goals that defines the word "inspirational." Focused on a maxim that play is a powerful vehicle for social change, Carroll's presentation was the best of Surf Summit 11--at least to this onlooker.
Have a good idea? Don't hold it in. Share it with the world urges Kevin Carroll and somewhere back in row 15 Paul Harvey is having a Jerry Maguire moment.
Months down the line, the importance and sheer resonance of the California Coastal Commission's 8-2 vote against the Trestles toll road continues to show what our industry an do when united. Here, Surfrider Foundation Executive Director Jim Moriarty talks about how the war isn't over.
Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation, education, and human resources. He also had a droll wit befitting an Englishman knighted by the Queen. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is a sports coat. The scope of Surf Summit has come a long way indeed.
Do you know how big the earth is? Sir Ken Robinson does. No wonder people call him sir.
He's had lunch with Paul McCartney, talks to Apple executives, was named as one of Time/Fortune/CNN's "principal voices" in 2005--so what the heck is Ken Robinson thinking as he looks out over a room full of boardshort-wearing surf execs. "Effing brilliant!" one would hope.
Yeah, there's no way of getting around it: it's a smokin' hot industry--smart too.
Electric's Mike Carter, Quiksilver's Dave Rosenberger, and Ron Jon's Don Niemann at the reception before the SIMA Image Awards.
TransWorld In Da House! Charlie Anderson, Jamey Stone, and Chirs Cote. But where was partner in crime and Surf Summit regular Liam Ferguson? Unpacking boxes in the big office it appears. Congrats to Tee-Dub's newest group publisher.
Team Firewire with Ezekiel's Mike Martin (who does manage to get in as many photos as Fernando used to.)
Surf Expo's Roy Turner, spreading the Southern hospitality.
Bob Mignogna and Mark Kelly. Bob has already had an incredible career as publisher of Surfing Magazine for two decades, but he also recently kicked ass getting the word out on the Trestles Toll Road issue. So here's to you Mr. Rally-The-Troops-And-Keep-The-Bulldozers-At-Bay-E-mail-Kinda Guy.
On-the-beach dining before the Image Awards.
Dick Baker and Jurgen Schulz compare notes.
Keir Dillon with Fuel's John Stouffer.
Peter Townend and Leila Ellersby doing the cute couple routine.
Image Awards still life--hey, it was a nice sky.
Artist Steve Fawley. In striving to develop a unique trophy that would become the known as the iconic statue associated with the Image Awards, SIMA put out a call to various surf industry designers looking for original trophy ideas. After reviewing the proposals drafted by several designers, SIMA selected Fawley's "cubistic wave" trophy design.
Sean Smith may or may not have a giant hook to yank people off stage, but he's the closest thing to an Image Awards "bouncer" that we have, so be very careful.
Pat Parnell jumps on the Image Awards hosting grenade--and survives unscathed! What a pro.
Bob Graff and PacSun's Traci Cioffi get the show on the road with the nominees for Accessory Product of the Year. As someone chirped "PacSun has never looked so good."
Nixon's Chad DiNenna gets well-deserved congrats from Fernando Aguerre after Nixon's 51-30 Watch wins the Image Award for Accessory Product Of The Year.
Chad DiNenna at the podium.
Tequila shots for the victors! This ritual started randomly way back during the first Image Awards. Now it's become an expected part of the evening. Chad takes his dose while Eric Crane records the moment for posterity.
Nixon designer Eric Crane on the mic.
Hey, maybe the award was a year overdue, but Sanuk's Jeff Kelley and John Vance don't seem to mind as the Sidewalk Surfer is named Footwear Product of The Year.
"Now I know how Jeff Booth felt last year!" says Sanuk Sales Manager John Gothard. Ah, I guess you had to be there.
Sanuk mastermind Jeff Kelley gets his due.
Jurgen Schulz of KFive and Sean Slater of Volcom announce the nominees for Surfboard Model Of The Year.
Channel Islands Surfboards GM Scott Anderson accepts the SIMA Image Award for the CI Biscuit, the Surfboard Model Of The Year. Look for videos of all the speeches and hijinks coming soon.
Firewire's Chuy Reyna and BRA President Mike Duncan announce the nominess for Wetsuit Of The year.
Lance Varon accepts the Wetsuit Of The Year Image Award for Xcel's Infiniti Drylock.
Flany, Fernando, Gatto, and the rest of the on-the-beach, sand between your toes, Image Awards crowd.
Billabong nails the inaugral Enviro Product Of The Year award with its Sonic Recycler Boardshort and Enich Harris is only too happy to accept.
The coolest couple on the block part deux. Although Mr. and Mrs. Rush did get a little heckle for wasting good tequila.
Paul and Claudia Burnett and Duke Edukas take the walk of heros after Surfside Sports is named Breakthrough Retailer Of The Year.
Surfside Sports's Duke Edukas makes a heartfelt acceptance speech after Surfside was named Breakthrough Retailer Of The Year.
I don't know about you, but to me Paul looks pretty stoked.
Media Mavens Rick Irons and Rob Campbell announce the winner of the Women's Marketing Campaign Of The Year award.
Billabong's Candy Harris accepts the well-earned Image Award for Women's Marketing Campaign Of The Year.
Paul Harvey's moment of zen at the SIMA Surf Summit--yep, great unscripted moments are still part and parcel of the experience. So when we all gonna hug, Paul?
Insight was the big winner of the evening, taking home two Image Awards. Here Jesse Faen accepts the award for Men's Marketing Campaign of the year, but he was back up on stage before the buzz wore off to accept the award for Breakthrough Brand Of The Year.
The Women's Retailer of The Year is none other than Sun Diego, and retail mastermind/guru/lease expert/long driver/nice guy Dave Nash was there to pick up the award and keep the crowd in check.
Malcolm McCassy of Alpinestars and Jason Arnold of Allyance announce the winner of the Women's Swim Brand of the Year.
C&C's Dac Clark picks up the award for L*Space, the Women's Swim Brand Of The Year.
A toast to L*Space founder Monica Wise.
What would the Image Awards be without a Jim Shubin moment? Here he is, introducing the wait staff who sang happy birthday to Liberace. This was before, of course, he modeled each of the nominees for Boardshort Of The Year--quite the feat.
Yeah, this is why the Image Awards maintains its PG13 rating. Jim Shubin says the water sure is deep too.
Hurley Marketing VP Paul Gomez accepts the award for Hurley's Advantage Boardshort, the winner of the Men's Boardshort of the Year category.
Bob Hurley gives thanks with class.
Volcom's Tom Ruiz had lost the pirate "ARRgghh!" this year, but was there have a good time nevertheless.
Tom Ruiz of Volcom and Coco Tihanyi of Surf Diva annouce the award for Men's Retailer Of The Year.
Shane Wallace of Active is a powerful and well respected retailer with a franchise that's on a serious tear, but he was extremely humble and sincere while accepting the Image Award for Men's Retailer Of The Year.
Yeah, he may have joked that he was still a "909" guy, but Shane Wallace and the rest of the Active crew seem to have figured out a winning formula for specialty retailing.
Johnny Gehris and Marty Kish of Vestal announce the Breakthrough Brand Of The Year winner.
Larry Castro and Jesse Faen head back up on stage to accept the hard fought "Breakthrough Brand Of The Year" trophy.
Excuse the interruption: John Gothard hijacks the Image Awards to announce the winner of the Slosh-a-bout.
Oakley's Ronnie Nelson takes the Slosh-a-bout belt. This surf-event-meets-gladiator games (have you ever seen a grown man naked, Johnny?)--held in the days before the surf Summit begins out at Industry Rock--has stepped up the debauch to unsustainable levels. Seriously guys, are you bummed you missed the fall rush at Sigma Alpha Tau? You don't even want to know what Nelson did to take the title, but all the stories you're hearing are true. Own it brother!
Candy Harris goes front and center as Billabong continues its Image Award domination with the coveted award for Women's Apparel Brand Of The Year.
A very happy Pat Tenore beats the Image Awards trophy into submission. Arrggghhh!
A big winner of the night--and a clear indicator of how the scene at retail is quickly changing--was RVCA, who nabbed the award for "Men's Apparel Brand of the Year." Wowzers. Here Pat Tenore--looking very surprised--thanks SIMA.
To the victor goes the spoils. Sun Diego's Dave Nash.
Meanwhile, the streets of San Jose Del Cabo are looking peaceful.
Nearly there. Nine Palms finally comes into view, only four guys are on the peak, and it's a consistent six foot. Life is oh so hard on the East Cape after the circus leaves town.
Distilladeros from the parched East Cape road.
The swell is booming by Sunday night.
Nine Palms on Cabo's East Cape.
An inside roller at Nine Palms.
Lobster head soup anyone?
The sights of San Jose Del Cabo.
Tuesday morning sunrise and thump of the shorebreak sounds like a MTX Subwoofer on some ground effect lowrider.
I heart pretty sunrises. Everyone say "Ahhhh!"
It may take some work to get into, but these heavers were offering plenty of shade from the sun--at least for a few seconds.
For those lucky enough to hang out after SS11 ended, a growling overhead swell was on tap the whole time. Even the shorebreak infront of the hotel was getting freaky.
Next year I say we hold the Slosh-A-Bout here. Now that would be a gladiator game worth tuning in for.