I then made a point of it to watch his heats closely throughout the event. Although he fell short of winning a title that day, I knew that there was something special there. I reached out to a mutual friend after the event, to gauge his interest in becoming part of the Pro-Lite team, and after a couple of weeks talking to him and his family, he became part of our Pro-Lite family.
After a solid run on the WQS and the loads of potential we saw in Cole’s surfing, we decided to double down and make him a signature surf traction pad called “The Hammer” By Cole Houshmand along with being his sole provider of surfboard travel bags, surf leashes, and surf accessories.
A runner up finish at the Barbados Surf Pro WQS 3000 at Cabarate in 2022 was a confidence builder as well as a best result to date for the now 6’2” 200 lb Houshmand, until his maiden WQS win at Cabarate in March of 2023 saw him qualify for the Challenger Series, where he has so far won 2 of the 3 events that have taken place this year, and has now punched his ticket to the WCT tour in 2024. Currently ranked #1 on the Challenger Series, the world is finally taking notice. Hear more about Cole's Journey in an interview with STAB and see how the heavy footed Houshmand turned it all around and is quickly becoming a household name within the surf community and how “The Hammer” has worked through self-doubt and turned himself into one of the rising stars of the Challenger Series.
You can view "The Hammer" signature surfboard traction pad by Cole Houshmand below or HERE
]]>
2022 marks 40 years of the brand that started the surfboard travel bag category. With no signs of slowing down innovation wise, we are taking a moment to see how far we have come in this 40+ year journey. 40 years of marriage is considered the "Ruby" anniversary. So for our Ruby anniversary we tracked down Pro-Lite co-founder Dave Nielson to visit the inception and evolution of the brand. An idea born out of necessity from two friends working for an airline, trying to safely transport their boards around the globe.
From our humble beginnings cutting foam templates and wood boxes on the North Shore, to hand sewing board bags in Costa Mesa, California for touring pros and average Joe's. This has been our Journey, inventing a category 40 years ago and still being driven to make the best surfboard bags out there.
Here is a bit of our story...
Pro-Lite was conceived in the minds of two traveling surfers, Bill Hapgood and Dave Neilson. At the time the pair was working for a major airline traveling the world. Soon into their travels they realized one key ingredient necessary to continue their journey, they needed to protect their surfboards.
In 1982 Pro-Lite was born. Bill and Dave searched out industrial sewers in Costa Mesa, CA and began making a limited line of surf travel bags. This put Pro-Lite on the map as the first bag manufacturer to make travel grade surfboard bags in the United States.
As the brands reputation as a quality travel bag manufacturer grew surfers from the United States and around the world looked to Pro-Lite to provide them with the gear to get their surfboards to their destination safely. Professional surfers from around the world used Pro-Lite travel bags as they bounced around the world on tour.
Through the 90's Pro-Lite expanded its product offering to include a full line of bags for day use as well as leashes, traction pads and racks. This put Pro-Lite in a position to be the go to brand for any products used to enhance your surfing experience.
The evolution of Pro-Lite continues today with new owners in place since 2005 and a renewed energy and vision to design and manufacture the best surfing accessories in the world. Pro-Lite’s key focus is quality and innovation. Pro-Lite is first and foremost a travel company and will continue to make products that are designed for surf and travel.
Safe Travels….
Driven by the Journey since 1982.
]]>
Given that the record high price of gas has contributed greatly to air travel ticket prices skyrocketing as of late, we tend to be extra thrifty in searching for a flight. And while we are all tempted to hop on Priceline and pull the trigger on the cheapest flight, it is important to dive deeper and make sure that your airline is surfboard friendly. We have made the mistake ourselves and had come to cancel out any savings by absorbing board bag/oversized luggage fees. And have even found a few friends who had to leave boards behind because of limitations from that respective carrier. Even team riders spending $1200+ to get a bag of boards home from a trip.
Feel free to check out our list of airline board bag policies at https://prolite.com/pages/bag-charges which is a good starting point when booking a flight. These policies have been updated recently, and many of the airlines will quietly change their policies or have staff unfamiliar with their own policy. So, make sure you verify the individual airlines policies on the airlines website. This is merely a guide to help you.
So here are a few tips to keep in mind when booking a flight while travelling with surfboards.
In closing, sometimes paying another $200 on a surfer friendly airline, will save you $400 in unbudgeted board bag fees. Happy hunting, and don’t forget to tip your bag handler! $10 up front may save your board from a $100 repair.
You can browse our collection of surfboard travel bags here:https://prolite.com/collections/surfboard-travel-bags
We have now entered our 40th year of making surfboard travel bags and continue to look forward to what new innovations the future will bring to help get your surfboards safely around the world. Whether that journey be by air, sea or land.
]]>But what about gifts for the older ones we love who have a passion for surfing that we recognize, but fall short in our own knowledge of the tools they would require. When we find that we ourselves have little to no knowledge of the equipment they need, and are left without the benefit of a “Christmas List” that seems to escape relevance around age 13. We soon turn to gift cards, which can be effective, yet very impersonal. Having the value printed right on the card sometimes creates a value equation of $ being the measure of their importance to us. How can you possibly keep the personal touch of a well thought out gift without a bit of guidance?
Relax….. Whether you are a seasoned surfer or not sure what gear a surfer may need, we at Pro-Lite are here to help……
The Pro-Lite Guide To Gifts For Surfers
Surf Gifts for the PRICE CONSCIOUS or STOCKING STUFFERS
Surf Leashes: Cost $24-$36
What you need to know about purchasing a Surf Leash:
When shopping for a leash for your gift recipient, here are some basic rules to help you make the right selection when making your purchase.
You can view our entire surf leash collection here.
Tie Down Straps $26-$32
A pair of adjustable straps that are mostly used to strap surfboards and bags to the roof of any car, regardless of make and model. Made of durable nylon they can secure all types of cargo, with a strong and easy to use adjustable cam, the applications are countless. The Tie Down strap is the traveling surfers must have item. It’s small packaging makes it easy to pack and store, but plays a crucial role in both the casual surfers daily routine, or the globe trotting wave hunter.
The surfer pictured above regrets not using tie downs.
Straps are available in:
10 Foot (best for local trips or trips with 1-2 board bags) and great for securing surfboards on SUV’s with existing factory racks.
15 Foot- will accommodate securing multiple boardbags to the roof of any taxi to and from the airport.
15 Foot Survivor- Super heavy duty, for the extensive traveler or best used for larger quantities and sizes of surfboards.
ROOF TOP SOFT RACKS $64-$74
Used for strapping boards to the roof of your car sans travel bags and luggage racks, these are a great gift for the surfer who has a compact car or sedan, to secure your board to the roof of the car, and make room for their friends inside.
Available in:
Single Soft Rack- accommodates 1-3 Shortboards or 2 longboards
Double Soft Rack- accommodates 2-6 shortboards or up to 4 longboards
Matt Wilkinson secures the Single Soft Racks to the roof of his car.
ROOF TOP RACK PADS $30-$40
SUV or Van? No problem getting the boards on the roof with your existing factory or aftermarket luggage rack with Pro Lite Rack Pads. Available in single round for Yakima style 1 inch round cross bars or square bars, and flat for the blade style crossbars. 2 sizes to choose from and two fits available to keep cushion and protect from dings caused by the crossbars. Used in conjunction with tie down straps to protect and secure their precious cargo.
Standard Round- Fits square bars and accommodates the width of 1 board. Some people opt for two sets for boards to sit side by side. These pads are 19" wide.
Standard Flat- Fits aero racks or “blade” style cross bars and accommodates the width of 1 board. Some people opt for two sets for boards to sit side by side. These pads are 19" wide.
Wide Round Pad- Fits square bars and accommodates the width of 2 boards or a better fit for an SUP. Usually will cover the entire bar of a SUV. These pads are 31" wide.
Wide Flat Pad- Fits most factory blade style cross bars and accommodates the width of 2 short boards or a better fit for an SUP. Usually will cover the entire bar of a SUV. These pads are 31" wide.
SURFBOARD TRAVEL BAGS
What would a traveling surfer be without a nice bag to protect his or her boards? Last, but certainly not least on our list is travel bags. Whether a trip requires taking 1-2 boards or 5+ to the other side of the world with confidence, there is an option for everyone.
For the surfer taking 1-2 surfboards:
Rhino Series Bags- Our Rhino series bags offer a light weight and durable option for the minimalist taking only 1-2 boards and little extra gear. These bags are available in a shortboard style, fish/hybrid for wider surfboards and a longboard template.
Cam Richards with the Rhino 1-2 Shortboard surf travel bag.
For the surfer taking 3-4 boards:
Smuggler Series Bag- The Smuggler surfboard travel bag is designed for the surfer taking 2-3 surfboards and hides one board when opened up for that pre-flight check. A good opportunity to save on board fees on the next surf trip. This bag is also available in a fish/hybrid template for surfers with larger/wider surfboards.
1-2-3 Convertible Bag- (shown in main image above) The Convertible travel bag is designed to hold up to 3 shortboard style boards in their own compartments. Once at your destination the bag can unzip at the center, allowing for two durable, single board day use bags. Learn more about this bag here.
Finless Coffin Bags- Our Finless Coffin series bags offer a step up from the Rhino bags in extra gear carrying capacity while still being relatively light weight overall. Our coffin style bags open fully on top allowing for easy arrangement of surfboards and gear. Internal seat belt straps help secure the boards from moving around during travel. Available in either a 2-3 board style or a deeper 3-4 board style.
Wheeled Coffin Bags- The wheeled coffin series bags are similar to the finless coffin 3-4 board bags in carrying capacity, but with an added wheel system to make a fully loaded bag easy to roll to the other end of the airport. These bags have all the bells and whistles a world traveling surfer needs and also comes in a 4-7 board option for those who can't decide which boards to bring and take them all.
]]>Interviewee: Micah Bundy
Job Title: Co-Owner / Product Developer
How has surf retail changed since your days at Ventura Surf Shop?
MB: I was working at VSS from 1995-99. Retail is everchanging but over the last 7 years that evolution has been accelerated. Amazon and DTC have completely changed retail and consumers shop differently now. The consumer is more educated with quick access to information. When a customer walks into a retail store they expect more from a retail shopping experience. The shop really needs to give the customer a reason to want to want to shop there. The days of just throwing product up on a wall and expecting it to move are coming to an end.
Good customer service is a very important component in retail. This was true when I was in retail and is even more relevant today. For the general public walking into a surf shop can be somewhat intimidating. If they walk into a shop and are ignored, they’re going to be less likely to ask questions or feel welcome. On the other hand, if they walk in and are greeting by staff and the staff is educated and willing to help that person, that person is going to feel welcome and comfortable shopping there. The difference between when I was in retail and today is that if people didn’t feel welcome then, they would give their business to the shop down the street. Now, most people will walk out and go direct online or to Amazon. Good customer service leads to customer loyalty. If you have a loyal customer, they will continue to shop with you. Give them a reason to come into the shop even if they know they can get in on online for the same price.
As a surf accessories brand, your sales come mainly from Surf Shops. How is Pro-lite evolving to support surf shops?
MB: We’re not in department or big box sports stores so core shops are our life blood. We’ve always tried to support shops that support us. Inventory availability has been tough across the board for all accessory companies over the last 2 years. As this became more of an ongoing issue we took a look at the shops that have been supporting and relying on us for years and we made a conscious decision to allocate inventory to those accounts first. The most beneficial thing that we can do as a supplier for our retail partners is to make sure that we have inventory in stock on consistent basis.
Around a year and a half ago we also made a decision to limit the number of authorized dealers selling Pro-Lite product on 3rd party ecommerce sites such as Amazon. The accounts that are authorized to sell through Amazon must abide by a very strict MAP policy which we police heavily.
What is the main differentiating factor between Pro-lite and your competitors?
MB: Pro-Lite consists of 4 guys in a warehouse in Ventura. We’re a small company and this has everyone here wearing many hats, which can be challenging at times but what it also does is give everyone here a chance to really touch most aspects of the business and understand what it takes to make this thing successful.
We’re still independently owned and self-financed so we don’t have to answer to a large board of director’s or a bank. Because of this we can be a bit more nimble than some of our competitor’s. If we see something that needs to be changed whether it be product, marketing, production or operations we can pivot quickly without having to go through a bunch of channels to do so. A couple of our main competitors have been bought and sold a couple of times over in the last 6 years and are now part of a portfolio of brands at larger Investment firms. This makes it much more difficult to change quickly when the market shifts.
We’re proud to say that we’ve been holding our own in the US against other accessory brands that have way more money and resources than we have access to.
Micah, you have been the creative mind behind Pro-lite's innovative products. What product are you the most proud of and how did you come up with the concept?
MB: The Smuggler bag for sure. As surfers we’ve been battling with the airlines on baggage fees for years. Up until recently most domestic airlines were charging on a per board basis. The Smuggler was the answer to that and kind of a f***k you to the airlines. The Smuggler basically allows you to take 3 boards while only showing 2 when they check your bag. It was a concept that I’d been working on for a number of years but had been struggling to find the right solution to the problem. A false bottom was the original concept but aesthetically it just didn’t work and was just a bit too obvious. So, after many samples and tweaks, the dual entry which only showed 2 boards on either point was the solution that worked. We were nominated for a SIMA award for this bag a couple of times and it’s definitely our best-selling travel bag,
Anything new we should look forward to in 2020?
MB: We have a new variation of Micro-Dot (our traction formula) which we’re pretty excited about. A couple of our team guys have been testing it and the feedback has been great plus the new look is super clean. The first pad in the new Micro-Dot is a collab pad that we’re doing with Eithan Osborne and Stab. This pad should be coming out in the next few months with more pads in the new Micro-Dot launching in Spring.
Finding ways to make products that are more environmentally friendly or have less of an impact on the environment is very important. A few years back we started using some recycled materials on one of our day bags, the material’s made of mostly recycled plastic bottles which is pretty cool. This is something that we’re looking to use throughout more of line over the next couple of years.
We’re always working on new product or ways to make products better; some new materials and tech are in the works but like anything new we’re working on we go through a meticulous testing process before we launch.
]]>
Pro-Lite team rider Matt Becker grew up surfing in Santa Barbara, CA. His dad taught him to surf as soon as he could swim. As a kid, he did Junior Lifeguards, competed in NSSA, played water polo, basically "a typical southern California beach rat kid" he say's. It wasn't until his teenage years where he made the transition into standup paddleboard racing.
Matt initially joined our team as a standup paddle racer in 2011 and spent many years traveling around the world competing in races, one of which was the Molokai to Oahu race, a 32 mile stretch between the islands that often comes with multiple variables.
Becker crossing the channel during Molokai to Oahu race.
With all that time spent in Hawaii, it's no wonder he took an interest in big wave surfing. At 14, he started surfing Sunset Beach. Later on he met Maverick’s surfer Haley Fiske at a contest at Sunset. “Haley was like, ‘you gotta come check out Maverick’s,'” Becker said. “He gave me all the info, and when I got back from Hawaii I walked into Joe Bark’s shaping room and grabbed a monstrous 10’6″ and started surfing Maverick’s when I was 18.”
Becker had made a little money from the SUP racing thing, but after experiencing Mav’s, he moved onto big-wave surfing pretty much full-on. “Basically, I went up north and lived out of my truck and just surfed all the time,” he said. “I was sleeping in Skindog’s driveway for a while in Santa Cruz.”
He eventually took a job on a crab fishing boat out of Half Moon Bay, CA. He found the perfect match. A job he enjoyed, provided enough money and gave him enough flexibility to hopefully not have to miss any surf when the conditions got good.
Flash forward a few years and now he is back in Santa Barbara working on a commercial fishing boat with his dad. He say's he is still a deckhand, but has hopes of one day owning his own operation which would give him even more freedom to shut the doors on the boat when the surf is on.
When it comes down to it, he states fishing etiquette as being similar to that of surfing. "You don't drop in on guys who were there first, and no matter how good it is, when somebody ask's how it was you say, 'yeah, it was alright'. You don't want anybody to get your spot." There is a degree of secrecy in both fishermen and surfers.
Matt's closing comments about being a commercial fishermen are, “It’s good living, you’re out on the water and there’s such pride in it and adventure and it’s fun. There are not too many occupations that I’ve come across where you can have such a freedom. You don’t go to sea for the money, you go because you like to be out on the ocean. The money is just a byproduct of that — it allows you to keep going out on the ocean, whether that’s surfing or whether that’s on a fishing boat. That’s very appealing to most people that are in it. You definitely have to have the right screws loose, I think. [Laughs.]”
Photo: Frank Quirarte
]]>
Mike "Hendo" Henderson of Pro-Lite recently sat down with Firewire Surfboards on an episode of their podcast to discuss some of his favorite board models and what goes into the innovation of Pro-Lite board bags.
For those who don't know Hendo, he is a huge human who rips. He often rides a Seaside or Cymatic and when it's really small, a baked potato. He also makes up one third of the internal team at the Pro-Lite headquarters in Ventura, CA.
Among the numerous topics discussed in the podcast, it is briefly touched upon our desire to make sustainable products that last long and don't end up in landfills. We also currently make a limited surfboard bag (Session Wide Ride Day Bag) that is manufactured with recycled materials, a category we hope to expand in the near future.
We often hear about people who have had their Pro-Lite surf travel bags for over 25 years. It's stories like this that motivate us to stay innovative and continue to deliver long lasting products that aid traveling surfers around the world.
full story can also be downloaded for free. Listen here.
]]>As an extensive traveler and tour competitor, Timmy Reyes lives a very nomadic lifestyle. Although Timmy hails from Huntington Beach, CA he's no stranger to large surf as well. Timmy landed his first cover of Surfer Magazine on a late drop at Todos Santos and frequents the heavy line ups of Puerto Escondido and some unnamed Northern spots. We asked Timmy to give us a run down on how he sizes up his Pro-Lite leashes in varying conditions. From 2ft-20ft, Timmy Reyes has it down to a science.
Words by Timmy Reyes:
"First off, you need to look at what you are riding, and select a leash that is as long as your board is tall. Take note of the volume as well, as some boards can be shorter, but carry a lot more volume than say, a standard shortboard. Grovelers, and retro boards might need a bit thicker leash than a standard comp if they are heavy or more buoyant."
The Pro Lite Super Comp 5.5, 5mm urethane thickness:
1-3ft Timmy rating.
This leash to me would be more of a grom or grovel leash. I would use something like this if I was surfing a small wave comp or a super crowded day when there are a lot of people around or maybe a rocky spot that may damage my board if I lose it. Sometimes if it's small I go no leash, but I am kinda lazy sometimes, so if I'm hungover I may throw this on… haha!
The Pro-Lite Comp Leash 6', 5.5mm urethane thickness:
1-6 Ft surf Timmy rating.
This is probably the most commonly used leash for me. Pretty standard for most shortboards and conditions. For most of the places in the world it's all you're going to need. If I pack for a trip at least two of these are coming with me. I have worn Pro-Lite leashes for a long time now, and I have only broken one of these. I've definitely found myself with a bit more swell than I anticipated on certain days and the comp leash held up pretty well all things considered. The 6 foot Pro-Lite comp surf leash is pretty versatile and a favorite of mine for sure.
The Pro-Lite Freesurf leash 6'-10' sizes, 7mm urethane thickness:
6-10'ft surf Timmy rating.
The Freesurf range is great for those who are in need of stronger cords. On longboards and funboards in the 7'0-10'0 range I would think that this would be a pretty standard thickness for everyday use, given the weight of the board. Keeping it pretty true to the size of your board is a good rule of thumb. Size up if it's a 7'6" to the 8'0" Freesurf. Size down otherwise. But for me, I use the 6-8 ft range leashes for heavier surf. 7-8 ft is pretty good for anything I would ride a step-up board in, or any kind of crazy slab or heavy shorebreak. Lots of times people will take out their skinny comp leashes in heavy surf and find themselves right back on the beach after one good pounding. They are not overly thick, but strong enough to climb up the rope when you’re down in the deeps and can't find your way up. They are also great if you find yourself falling alot, because they will take more of a beating than your standard 6' comp.
The Pro-Lite Survivor Series, 7'-10' sizes, 8mm urethane thickness:
This Survivor Series is what it says it is. If you’re traveling to or live near some heavy surf, this is for you. This leash comes out usually only when it’s a 12 foot heaving slab in the middle of the ocean, up to 25+. I have not yet been disappointed with this leash, and most of the places I go for the big scary stuff have rocky headlands or nasty shore break, or BOTH! But usually in the scarier critical stuff is when I upgrade to this leash. It’s a nice feeling to know you will most likely come up with something to hold on to….even if it is half a board!!
Closing thoughts from Timmy…
"Know your leash! Look at your leash, inspect your leash, love your leash. Occasionally check your cord for nicks and cuts from your fins or rocks. This is often overlooked and can lead to the cord snapping in less than average conditions, or really critical conditions. But these things do happen so it's good to check it out every once in a while. Don't wrap your leash around the tail when storing your board. This leads to kinks, and if you wrap it too tight, the cord can stretch out, crack, and noodle a bit making it less reliable. If you leave a leash wrapped up or hanging on a board for a couple of years, don't expect it to work the way it did when it was new. These things have moving parts, and salt water can decay and weaken an old leash. Better to take care of your leash than spend $40+ on ding repair."
View the entire Pro-Lite surf leash collection here.
]]>Being first and foremost a surfboard travel bag company, a question we at Pro-Lite get asked most frequently other than "What is the best bag for my boards?" is, "How should I pack my boards in the bag for my trip.?" While there are varying opinions on the matter internally, we decided to ask Timmy, a seasoned traveler, "What are your top 5 tips when packing for a surf trip?" What follows are some of the overlooked aspects of packing for a trip as well as some techniques that will hopefully keep your quiver protected on your next flight.
Timmy's Tip #1: Don't over pack your bag.
"If a bag is heavier, it is more likely to get mishandled, dropped and have harder impacts when being loaded and unloaded from the plane. Lighter is always better! If your going to use anything to give added protection I would say use bubble wrap because it's light, but I just throw some boardshorts on the nose and tail and maybe a wetsuit at most.
Timmy's Tip #2: Travel with less boards.
"I almost never carry more than 3-4 boards on a trip. I feel like a lot of people travel with too many boards. Try to use surf forecasting to your advantage when deciding which boards to take. While every destination is different, I like to carry a fish or groveler, a shortboard and maybe a step up or two depending on the forcast. I would think most people can get away with 3, the rest just end up along for the ride and become a hassle."
Timmy's Tip #3: Use board socks in your travel bag.
"I use the old school surfboard socks in all my travel bags. They keep the boards separated so no waxy mess gets on the bottom of them. They also work great as a towel so you don't have to pack a ton of extra stuff. It serves a purpose both while traveling and going to the beach."
Timmy's Tip #3: Use the fin storage pockets in your boardbag.
"One of the best features on my Pro-Lite travel bags is the fin storage pockets. Loose fins have destroyed so many of my surfboards while in transition from the airport to car etc. They will fly around and cram themselves into random places in the bag, then when something gets stacked on top of them, they can crack, stab or ding your board. It happens more than you would think!"
Timmy's Tip # 5: Less is more.
I like to carry as little as possible when I travel. You have to remember why you're on a surf trip, it should be to get away and score some uncrowded waves. If you get skunked, it is easy to dive into your computer, iphone, or Netflix which defeats the purpose of why you got away in the first place. Boredom leads to adventure. All of the stuff you normally turn to when your bored will be there when you get home, without those distractions i'm more motivated to get out there and explore. When you travel light it gives you the means to be more mobile, to get out there and find new spots and just be content with your surroundings. I like most of my gear to fit in my backpack and surfboard bag without adding a lot of weight.
After years of getting hassled by the airlines with seemingly increasing baggage fees and paying on a per board basis, Timmy helped us come up with a surfboard travel bag that allows you to take three boards, but only show two when checked. The Smuggler Series was born and has been his go to bag since. A video explaining how the bag works can be viewed on the product page in the link above.
]]>
Richards, 22, surfed in one of the last heats of the day against Manuel Selman (CHL), Aritz Aranburu (ESP) and fellow Pro-Lite team rider Cody Young (HAW) and remained active from the start to eventually find a lengthy right on his backhand. After a late drop, Richards set his rail, pulled in and remained buried in the barrel, emerging with the spray for a 9.83. In less than two minutes he paddled back out and swung into another Backdoor tube, this time releasing his hands from the rails and completely disappearing from view. He broke the scale and was awarded a perfect 10 from judges with his speed, style and technique.
"I got my 9 and I was paddling back out, low key super out of shape, I felt like I was going to drown and was thinking if a wave comes, I am done," Richards laughed post-heat. "And then the next wave came literally straight to me and I was like, ‘I'm not ready for this!' I was actually just tired once I got to my feet, I began to pump and then the wave spit which gave me the extra oomph to get out… I was having so much fun just after those two waves. So many different emotions going through, it was a very surreal moment, it didn't feel real."
From South Carolina, Richards is one of the best breakout surfers coming from the East Coast with the ultimate dream of qualifying for the World Tour. Just last month he scored another perfect 10 during the Florida Pro presented by Sunshine State Florida Lager and ultimately ended with a Quarterfinal finish.
"I want to qualify, I want to be on the World Tour super bad, but I try to stay as busy as possible with filming projects and just keeping a name for myself in every aspect, just because contests are so hit or miss," Richards continued. "This is actually my second QS of the year and I got a 10 in my first QS and now I got a 10 in this QS and I'm like, ‘if this isn't a good start to 2018 I'm not sure what is.' I'm just stoked, I'm super happy, hopefully I can keep the momentum going throughout the year and then do well out here during the Triple Crown also."
Richards has been traveling to the North Shore for 6-7 years, but a proper wave at Pipe has always eluded him until now.
"I still had never made a real Pipe wave, or Backdoor, and so that was a treat. I put in time out here for sure and caught a bunch of closeouts and spent my time, but those were definitely the best waves I've ever got out there period, hands down." Richards earned a set of KMC wheels for his 10-point ride, the second of the event after yesterday's perfect score from Finn McGill (HAW). When asked about making it through his 10 Cam commented with the following:
Cam went on to surf in the Finals at the Volcom Pipe Pro against Jamie O'Brien (HAW), Weslley Dantas (BRA) and Joshua Moniz (HAW) who ended up winning the event.
Cam has a new 2018 signature traction pad design coming soon featuring our Micro-Dot formula for a lighter, grippier, better board feel! You can view the pad here, available for purchase in a couple weeks.
]]>Pro-Lite, a leading surf accessory brand, is proud to announce the addition of Matt “Wilko”
Wilkinson to its roster of global athletes. A fixture on the World Championship Tour (WCT)
since 2010, Wilkinson is widely known for his lethal backhand surfing as well as his candid
approach to life on the WCT.
"We here at Pro-Lite have been fans of Wilko for a while now - even prior to his arrival on the world tour,” said
Sales and Marketing Director Mike “Hendo” Henderson. “He brought a really fun and irreverent
vibe to the world tour from day one and that is exactly what the tour needed. Not to mention the
raw talent in the water, he is in our opinion, one of the more compelling athletes to ever hit the
ranks of the WCT, and we are beyond stoked to have him collaborating with our team at Pro-
Lite.”
After yielding mixed results for a few years, a refocused Wilkinson put together a solid year
in 2016, taking his first career win in the WCT season opener at Snapper Rocks, and then following up with a win at Bells Beach. With a healthy start to his 2016
campaign, Wilkinson wore the gold leader jersey for much of the year, finishing in the top five forthe first time.
His 2017 campaign proved that the previous year was no fluke, finishing the
season as a title contender at number five once again.
Currently working on a signature line with Pro-Lite (set to release in late 2018),
Wilkinson will join Pro Lite as a global ambassador for the Ventura, Calif. based brand and its current roster, which includes Josh Kerr, Keanu Asing, Balaram Stack, Timmy Reyes, Cam Richards, and Mitch Crews.
About Pro-Lite: Pro-Lite Int. was conceived in the minds of two traveling surfers, working for a major airline traveling the world. Soon into their travels they realized one key ingredient necessary to continue their journey, they needed to protect their surfboards.
In 1982 Pro-Lite was born, and searched out industrial sewers in Costa Mesa, CA and began making a limited line of surf travel bags. This put Pro-Lite on the map as the first bag manufacturer to make travel grade surfboard bags in the United States. In the early 90’s, Pro Lite decided to venture into making leashes, day use bags, and in 1996 released their Micro Dot traction pattern to the market. And the rest is history. For more information go to prolite.com
#drivenbythejourney #ridemicrodot]]>Int.’s global roster of talent for 2018 now includes Balaram Slack, one of New York’s finest surfing bi-products. Known for being a stand out in both small surf and waves of consequence, Stack’s reputation precedes his arrival on the Pro Lite team.
“Pro-Lite is thrilled to add a guy like Balaram to the team” said Mike “Hendo” Henderson, Pro Lite’s Marketing and Sales Director. “As long-time fans of his surfing, we were stoked to seize this opportunity and bring Bal into the fold. It’s been exciting for us to bring on someone so rooted and proud to represent his home in New York, and whose talent is recognized globally.”
Stack has already begun collaborating with Pro Lite’s design team on a signature series Micro Dot traction pad, due to release in the second half of 2018. Stack will join Josh Kerr, Mitch Crews, Timmy Reyes, Keanu Asing, and Cam Richards as a global ambassador to the growing line of Pro-Lite signature products.
“I’m amped to get things going with a company like Pro-Lite” said Stack “I can’t wait to release my Micro Dot signature pads we’re working on”.
Balaram is also currently sponsored by Volcom, New Era, Chilli Surfboards, Rock Star Energy, Speaqua, and Uns0und Surf Shop
About Pro-Lite: Pro-Lite was conceived in the minds of two traveling surfers, working for a major airline traveling the world. Soon into their travels they realized one key ingredient necessary to continue their journey, they needed to protect their surfboards.
In 1982 Pro-Lite was born, and searched out industrial sewers in Costa Mesa, CA and began making a limited line of surf travel bags. This put Pro-Lite on the map as the first bag manufacturer to make travel grade surfboard bags in the United States. In the early 90’s, Pro Lite decided to venture into making leashes, day use bags, and in 1996 released their Micro Dot traction pattern to the market. And the rest is history. For more information go to www.prolite.com“Driven By The Journey”
]]>]]>
Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines both recently adjusted their boardbag policies with the consumer in mind. On Alaska, boardbags will now cost $25, so long as it’s under 50 pounds. And on Hawaiian, surfers can now bring as many boards as they want. Again, so long as the bag is less than 50 pounds.
Read the full article including statements from the airlines at Surfline.com
A full list of boardbag charges sorted by airline can also be viewed on Surfline HERE.
Since 1982, Pro-Lite has offered a wide variety of travel boardbags and we are constantly innovating to adapt with and in some cases work around airline policies. Our full collection of travel bags can be viewed HERE.
]]>
]]>
Pro-Lite’s new Core Channel Program, launching this June, will include the 1-2- 3 Convertible as well as two new colorways of the massively successful Smuggler bag (with its internal staggered partition to hide a board to avoid airline overage fees). The Core Channel Program will be specific to core channel vendors as these bags will only be offered to core retail distributors, and are limited to distribution through those partners brick-and- mortar stores and their respective online company sites. In short, Pro-Lite will not be allowing these bags to be sold on Amazon, EBay, or Jet.com.
“We have really seen the pendulum shifting away from core retailers, and trending into the realm of Amazon and similar platforms, where the lowest price wins out, and surf as a category, is not well- reflected for its unique culture and values. We view Amazon as something most brands cannot afford to overlook, but we really also must pay attention to the retailers that have helped us build our brand. It is our responsibility as surfers and as a brand to support the people who create the culture and preserve the lifestyle that we have come to call our own. By offering our newest products to retail first, we are hoping we can do our part in driving business to our core retail partners” said Sales and Marketing Director Mike “Hendo” Henderson.
This write up about the 1-2-3 Travel Bag can be also be viewed at Surfer.com
The 1-2-3 Convertible and additional colorways are slated to hit retail stores early in July. To find out more about the functionality of the 1-2- 3 Convertible, check out our youtube video:
]]>
]]>
more about Cam's Australian QS experience at the World Surf League.
]]>
The event couldn’t have been scripted any better with Asing, The No. 1 seed coming up against Wade Carmichael the defending event champion in the Final. After falling off the elite Championship Tour (CT) at the end of last year, Asing is fired up to re-qualify in 2017. He has got it off to a great start at the Great Lakes Pro with some incredible surfing and high heat totals.
Asing’s solid backhand snaps and huge fans of spray saw him post an excellent heat total of 18.73 (out of a possible 20). Although he fought till the end, this massive total proved too much for Carmichael leaving Asing to take his first ever Qualifying Series victory.
“This is my first ever QS win which is really cool,” Asing said. “To come to Australia and start it off with a win is incredible. I’m looking forward to this year - I feel like I have a lot to prove after falling off tour so starting it with a win is awesome. The competitiveness of these guys in the lower rated events is gnarly. It’s way tougher than at the top end, everyone is ruthless and wants to win - it’s really cool. I’m really happy with this win and can’t wait to come back next year.”
See full article at Surfersvillage
]]>
16 year old team rider Eithan Osborne made the best out of a recent trip to Indonesia. While the waves may not have lived up to expectations, he still managed to create some entertaining footage for our viewing pleasure.
]]>]]>
Check out team rider Eithan Osborne in one of his latest edits.
]]>