17 May, 2012 : - The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that international visitors spent an estimated $13.7 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of March — an increase of more than $1.5 billion, or 13 percent, from March 2011. Year-to-date, U.S. travel and tourism exports have grown nearly 13 percent in 2012...

18 May, 2012 : - As far back as 2004, the Surfrider Foundation has raised concerns about the inlet at Surfrider Beach and its effect on surfing. In addition to efforts to enhance the coastal ecosystem through wetland restoration, Surfrider Foundation’s goal has been and continues to be the development of a plan to maintain the inlet location at the west end...

18 May, 2012 : - Zak Noyle and Billy Kemper embodied the spirit of the late-great Sion Milosky with a single image from the Banzai Pipeline, winning the inaugural Steep and Deep Pipeline Photo Challenge. This contest awarded the surfer and photographer who captured the biggest, steepest Pipeline barrel from the 2011-12 winter season. Honolulu’s Zak Noyle, 26...

17 May, 2012 : - John John Florence has won his maiden ASP ASP World Championship Tour event, taking out the Billabong Rio Pro over Joel Parkinson in barreling three-to-four foot waves at Barra da Tijuca. John John was riding a new model board made by his longtime shaper and family friend Jon Pyzel. 'Congrats to John John on his victory. It highlights the importance of...

17 May, 2012 : - Perry Ellis International reported total revenues were $265.5 million in the first quarter ended April 28 compared to $288.3 million reported in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Revenues were ahead of guidance with increases in several of the company's core businesses, including the golf platform distributed through department and mid-tier stores...

17 May, 2012 : - Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) and Quiksilver have committed supplemental funding to support the work of the Chemicals Management Working Group, an effort under the umbrella of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Sustainability Working Group. The Chemicals Management Working Group (CMWG) formed in spring 2011, bringing together brands...

17 May, 2012 : - Favela Pavao Pavaozinho Cantagalo has 70,000 inhabitants. A group is working at keeping kids in the water and off the streets. The organization Favela Surf Club is currently striving to make a difference in the local community by taking these kids surfing. Take a look at some of the kids from Rio...

17 May, 2012 : - Congrats to John Florence for taking the victory in Rio! John John Florence became the first Hawaiian to win a World Tour event since Andy Irons won at Teahupo‘o in 2010. John John Florence has won the 2012 Billabong Rio Pro, beating Joel Parkinson in the final Wednesday. Florence is now ranked sixth in the world. Florence's victory furthers a string...

17 May, 2012 : - A reality TV series for RTÉ about teenage surfers is to begin shooting in Ireland and Hawaii next month. ‘Big Wave Bootcamp’ is currently in pre-production and will be produced for the State broadcaster by British production company Rival Media. The series will follow eight Irish teenagers as they attempt to become expert surfers in just three weeks...

17 May, 2012 : - The future of British Surfing was given a huge boost today when the leaders of the UK Professional Surfing Association and Surfing GB, the National Governing Body reached an historic agreement over future co-operation, healing a long standing schism in the sport. The UKPSA has operated independently of the NGB for a number of years, with elite and professional...

17 May, 2012 : - With more Indonesian wave action than ever, Lines is back with a fresh 2012 issue straight off the digital press. In this issue: Captured Moments – Shutter frozen surf stoke; Bring On the Groms – Five young local surfers making waves today; The Weight of Air – Underwater observations by Lance Slabbert. And so much more...

17 May, 2012 : - It's midday. I'm hot, sunburnt and I've just been dumped by a four-foot wave for the third time in the past 15 minutes. In short, I've had enough. By the way, did I mention I'm in Singapore? It's possible to do just about anything you like in Singapore (including surfing, thanks to the Flowrider at Sentosa Island's Wave House), which makes it surprising...

17 May, 2012 : - Surfers Against Sewage’s innovative environmental education programme will be visiting the North East of England from the 21st to 26th May, with the support of the Quiksilver Foundation. The SAS education team will be visiting locations from Mablethorpe to Newcastle, visiting schools and colleges along the way. SAS educational sessions provide...

17 May, 2012 : - Last year BASE abruptly closed its factory on the Gold Coast, with the direct loss of 30 jobs. Since then, nearby D’Arcy Surfboards has announced it is shedding workers and downsizing from a state-of-the art, purpose-built factory into a backyard workshop. Is the surfboard industry yet another victim of the high Australian dollar?...

17 May, 2012 : - A lay day was called at the Gran Canaria Santa Pro Junior due to small unsurfable conditions at La Cicer. Event officials after meeting with surfers decided to wait for improved conditions with a first call to be made at 7:30 am on Friday 18th May for a possible start to Round Two of competition. Mikel Zalakain, ASP Europe's Head Judge...

17 May, 2012 : - The four-event Chiko Queensland Championship Circuit concludes this weekend with the AUD$8,000 Chiko Burleigh Classic providing the final stop in the race for the prestigious 2012 Queensland’s Open Men’s Surfing Title. Nathan Hedge who grew up on the Sunshine Coast before relocating to Sydney’s Northern Beaches is now back residing in Buderim...

16 May, 2012 : - Ry Craike and friends went on an epic journey in search of desert slabs and a few goliath fish. There’s a few basic facts about Craikey that most people have heard such as he started surfing as a natural footer, but because all the good waves around his place were lefts, his dad, John, made him switch and surf as a goofy-footer...

16 May, 2012 : - Organizers have called a halt to action at the ASP 3-Star Gran Canaria Santa Pro Junior at Playa de la Cicer, after the completion of Round 1. Conditions in the 1-2Ft range were on offer this morning and Vicente Romero proved progressive surfing to be the key to scoring high in wind affected small waves. Romero was the stand-out in today's first round...

16 May, 2012 : - Billabong Indonesia and P.T. Delami Brands are excited to announce their first joint venture Retail Outlet opening. Unveiling its premises on 11 May 2012, the new store is located in one of Jakarta’s newest and trendiest shopping hubs, Central Park Mall. 'This is the first time Billabong has opened a retail store with Delami Industries and we are absolutely...

16 May, 2012 : - Hawaii usually means big boards when we talk surf. Dave Rastovich included. Though the difference between your guns and his, is that he still rides them with 2 fins not 3. Rasta never discriminates against any board, stating that they simply resemble different types of musical instruments all playing a different sound. There's no such thing as a bad board...