September 2nd, 2010
The notion of finless surfing has been around for as long as the sport itself.
Taken at the end of the 19th Century, when Westerners had all but quashed the 'lewd' act of surfing, this photo shows one of the last alaia surfers, prior to its recent revival.
The iconic image held at Hawaii’s Bishop Museum of a ‘native’ gazing out to the Waikiki lineup, Diamond Head looming in the background, finless alaia board clutched behind him, is now as integral a part of surfing’s photographic history as Greg Noll’s Waimea drops, Tom Carroll’s Pipeline cutback or Laird Hamilton’s ‘Millennium Wave’.
Westerners discovered the sport of surfing for themselves in the early 20th century, maintaining the un-keeled equipment in lieu of any alternative. Read More…
Posted in Object Obsessions | No Comments »
August 27th, 2010
 A loquacious penman of Patagonia blogs, ambassador Dustin Hollick is also a class act in the water. The bitter cold of Tasmania does little to impede the exploits of the surfer, who frequents the nightmarish hollows of Shipsterns Bluff regularly.
In a post script to his last contribution, we present here a sequence of Hollick attacking one of his home break’s less threatening, though no less frigid, underpasses.
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Posted in Tales from the Trails | No Comments »
August 24th, 2010
By Dustin Hollick
- Patagonia surf ambassador for Tasmania -
My boss has a theory that I am attracted to danger. I used to find this quite funny. Working as a two man team on building sites exposes us to all kinds of danger, so one could easily say that danger is just a part of life. Then my boss expanded on his ‘theory’; “you are attracted to unnecessary danger”. Hmmm… this expansion on his ‘theory’ was definitely food for thought. As my mind became more focused on what could be called ‘unnecessary danger’ I found to my dismay that he might actually be right! Read More…
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August 9th, 2010
Patagonia believes in a ‘no compromise’ mentality. It refuses to accept that something cannot be produced to the highest standards, developed exceeding the industry standard, break new technologies, and all in an ethically sound, environmentally proactive manner.
Not only does Patagonia utilise FairTrade, organic or recycled resources from across the planet, its tireless research and development develops and employs such innovations as Gladiodor, H2No and Tencel Lyocell.
With winter rapidly approaching and surfers across the country reaching for their neoprene, this article presents the technologies and materials that comprise Patagonia wetsuits, from their recycled outer layer, to the subcutaneous innovations that make a warmer, lighter, more flexible suit: The R-Series. Read More…
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August 7th, 2010
Donning coloured rashies, going head to head with driving competitiveness burning in your soul compelling you onward, scratching into waves to out-surf, out-manoeuvre, out-score your sworn adversary, all under the searing glare of the limelight…these are not the ways of Patagonia.
The Peninsula Boardriders are often ‘guilty’ of adhering to the formulaic dogmas of these criteria, to the admirable benefit and growth of many an upcoming competitive surfer. But the club can be proud that this mentality, whilst positive and productive in its own right, has not consumed them. Read More…
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August 6th, 2010
(image: Charlie Riedel, AP)
The Gulf Oil Spill has effected the world, whether directly, subliminally or, through the tidal wave of devastating images that has flooded the global media, emotionally.
Pangs of guilt now plague us more than ever when succumbing to our needs of and dependence upon the petroleum industry and, even without the catastrophe of the past months in the Gulf of Mexico, that guilt is more than justified.
(Image: Win McNamee, Getty Images)
Patagonia has been downscaling its usage of oil-based product, whether fuel, fibres or inks, throughout the company for many years. But when Patagonia USA realized the devastation occurring in the Gulf, it was swift to generate support in any way it could, donating to charities and organizations and develop awareness through staff and community.
Visit the ‘States site now to read more on Patagonia’s venerable work in aiding the cleanup.
Posted in 1% for The Planet | No Comments »
July 15th, 2010
Right on our doorstep, yet bewilderingly overlooked by Australia’s surfing masses, PNG is a haystack filled with the metaphorical needles of surf breaks – some undiscovered, some unsurfed, almost all uncrowded. Political and social volatility has painted a gloomy picture of the island just north of Australia’s top end, but there is far more to the ex-Australian Naval outpost than riots and unrest, as The Surfing Atlas‘ Adam Waldie discovered… Read More…
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June 30th, 2010
The day dawned clear and crisp for Patagonia’s inaugural Board Swap, hosting a healthy crowd of traders and the interested public, all braving the frosty Sunday morning. Read More…
Posted in News From Home Base | No Comments »
June 25th, 2010
Patagonia is founded on decades of toil, research, development and experience. Taking influence from some, but often pioneering new ways in which to further and better the industry, it has thrived and grown on ingenuity. Following is a potted history of founder Yvon Chouinard and the evolution of the environmentally revolutionary company of Patagonia. Read More…
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June 22nd, 2010
Just some of the rope that made up 32% of this year's South West Marine Debris Cleanup haul
Our ocean is a precious commodity…
Not only to those that live and breathe in its every ripple; the surfers, sailors, fishermen and all for whom the ocean is an integral part of their existence. Its ebb and flow affect the entire world, its wellbeing reflects upon the land and its inhabitants. In short, it is in the best interests and the responsibility of all humans to maintain the aquatic kingdom as a healthy ecosystem. Read More…
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