HOSSEGOR, FRANCE- Almost 10 years to the day when Nixon established its first European Headquarters in Hossegor, France, Nixon is pleased to announce the opening of its new European office. The new Nixon European Headquarters is now located just around the corner from its previous office in Soorts Hossegor. The new office is completely custom to Nixon and drafts off the spirit and vibe of the Nixon Global Headquarters located in Encinitas, California. The opening of the Nixon office was recently initiated with a gathering of the brands founders, team, reps, employees, retailers, friends and family where toasts were made with plenty of high fives and cheers. Nixon is excited and focused to hit new levels of creativity and productivity with this larger and more creative space, while providing a better home and environment for our employees and customer’s needs.

During the opening night of the new office, original team members Iker Fernandez, Alain Goikoetxea, Fredo Robin and Javier Sarmiento were recognized for their support in rocking Nixon for over 10 years with a presentation of a customized, limited edition 51-30 watch. This “10-year Nixon” watch is only bestowed upon employees and team riders who have hit the decade of dedication mark.

The new Nixon European Headquarters is located at 185 Avenue Pascouaou – 40150 Hossegor, France and is now open for business.

About Nixon:
Founded in 1997 in Encinitas, CA, Nixon is the premium watch and accessories brand for the youth lifestyle market. Focused on making the little stuff better, Nixon began with a small line of team-designed, custom-built watches sold exclusively in specialty boardsport and fashion retailers. Currently distributed in over 40 countries, Nixon’s product range has grown to include select men’s and women’s softgoods, leather goods and custom headphones. For more information, please visit: NixonNow.com

I teamed up with Shaun Bond to shoot this new concept massage from Tai chi to Chai tea, many aspects of the Orient have been assimilated into Western Culture over the last few decades. Now, a uniquely new type of venue called enmasse is about to change the notion of massage forever by combining the allure of authenticity with the familiarity of convenience, something never seen in the field of massage. The perceived inherent goodness and balance of Eastern ways has always fascinated the fast-paced Occident (which means Western, you learn something new every day!). This has often led to an unnecessary exclusivity for aspects of Eastern life, which are taken for granted in the lands of their birth.

http://enmasse.co.za/concept.html

Very cool space

Thanks for the support guys, have a look at my previous post to see what I’ve been up to.

Port Alfred – Shaun Joubert from Mossel Bay made it a hat trick by winning his third Oakley Pro Junior in a row today in excellent surf at Port Alfred. Despite coming up against a very determined and on-form Chad Du Toit from Durban, Joubert fought hard all the way till the end and took the win from Du Toit in a seesaw final that saw the lead switch after almost every exchange.

SJ turning to his 3rd victory.

It was another day of exceptional surf that greeted the surfers gathered for the Oakley Pro Junior in Port Alfred, South Africa. The waves were in the four to five-foot region with some bigger sets in the afternoon, with non-stop high performance peeling right-handers the order of the day. The surfers in the contest had the ideal canvas to show the judges their full repertoire as the contest was being judged on World Tour standards, and ‘variety’ is now a key element of the criteria.

Australian visitor Ryan Callinan placed third in the event, but was happy with the conditions. “We don’t get to surf many contests in waves like this,” said the stylish goofy-footer Callinan. “I’ve just being enjoying the waves so much. It’s so good to be able to ride real waves in an event like this.” Callinan, along with MIkey February from Cape Town, went home with a third place finish and US$1000 (R7,400)

Chad Du Toit flying into second place.

The Red Bull Air Show was an exciting addition to the event, with a massive R10,000 prize for the biggest air pulled off in the session. The surfers were going for broke, with Dylan Lightfoot and Jacob Mellish pushing it as hard as they could and boosting at every opportunity. At the end of the 30 minutes Air Show it was young Jacob Mellish from Somerset West who took home the R10,000 prize from Red Bull for a massive forehand air reverse. The session belonged to Mellish, as he pulled off the two best moves of the Air Show, and sneaked into a solid little barrel that allowed him a clean exit in the closing minutes to prove that the R10,000 was deservedly his.

“I was so nervous out there at first,” said a very pleased Mellish at the prize giving. “Then I stuck a few airs and started feeling better. Thanks to Red Bull for this, I’m just so happy to have won.”

The Oakley Pro Junior Women’s Final was a battle of the goofy-footers, with Bianca Buitendag (George) and Chantelle Rautenbach (Melkbos Strand) both with their backs to the waves, and going for broke on the rippable right-handers. It was neck-and-neck until Bianca picked up an insider at the halfway mark and executed a series of critical turns with good flow and power for a score of 8.25 to place her firmly in the lead. Despite Chantelle fighting hard all the way to the final seconds it was 16-year-old Bianca who retained the lead, picking up another 8-point ride along the way, to claim victory and US$1000 (R7,400) prize money.

Then it was time for the Men’s final, with Shaun Joubert and Chad Du Toit both determined for victory. Chad opened up with a great seven point-ride to get the ball rolling, and still the waves poured through. Chad was awarded a 5.5 for his second wave and he found himself with a clear lead. Needing an 8.25 at the half-way mark Shaun picked up an inside wave with a nice wall on it and went to town on it, pulling off a series of radical turns off the top all the way through to the inside and was awarded just that – an 8.25, and the lead was his. Chad picked up another good set wave to score a 7.5 and regain his lead before Shaun stamped his authority all over a solid set wave for an excellent score of 9.5, and he had his third Oakley Pro Junior victory.

“Whenever we get to surf a contest in good waves I’m sure not too many guys complain,” said Shaun, “I’m just happy to be back and get a good result. It was pretty obvious that Chad was the man to beat and he put me under pressure with his first seven,” added Joubert. “I blew my first wave, as well as my second wave, so I was lucky more waves came to me.”

Chad wins US$1,500 (R11,000) for his runner-up spot, and a very happy Shaun Joubert takes home his third Oakley Pro Junior trophy and US$, 2,500 (R18,500).

Thurso, Scotland – In freezing cold conditions South African Royden Bryson claimed victory at the O’Neill Cold Water Classic 6 star event, winning US$20,000 (R150,000) as well as 3000 WQS points. Coming up against veteran competitive surfer Yuri Sodre, Bryson threw caution to the wind, going for massive moves in the blustery and icy conditions. Bryson defeated top-rated Australian surfer Shaun Cansdell in the semis and Nathaniel Curran in the quarters before coming up against Brazilian Sodre in the final, and With an 8.33 score under the belt early in the final, Sodre was left chasing the South African from the start.

Royden chilling on the East Coast earlier this year during the O-Camp

Bryson was ecstatic with his victory. “Winning this contest is a dream come true! One of my goals inside qualifying for the World Tour is to win the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series,” said Royden. “I am lying tie first now so I am in a great position.”

With regards to the extreme weather conditions the contest experienced, Royden was in awe of what Scotland had to offer. “This was one crazy day,” said Bryson on the beach after the prize giving. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever get a chance to surf in the snow again, so on top of winning, this makes it one very special day for me.”

Royden waited in the blistering cold through a restart and then another 15 minutes before he caught his first wave. “My game plan throughout the event was to be patient and catch the best waves,” said Royden of his successful strategy. “The bigger waves are always more impressive, and combined with a few solid turns I managed to pull off, saw me score the big points. It’s time to qualify now,” added Bryson. “I am so amped and I know I deserve to be there.”

The O’Neill Cold Water Classic Scotland forms part of the O’Neill Cold Water Classic series that travels to various destinations around the world for their unique events. Locations like Tasmania, Scotland, Canada, Cape Town and Santa Cruz all form part of the Cold Water Classic series that has an additional series winner prize of US$50,000 on top of the individual event prizes. Last year the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Scotland was won by another Oakley Team Rider, Adam Melling from Lennox Head in Australia.

Earlier in the year Oakley South Africa team riders gathered in the Eastern Cape for their inaugural O-Camp training sessions, which obviously benefitted Bryson, as his surfing was fast and dynamic, and he knew what he needed to do to get the job done. “The O-Camp was a huge motivating factor for me this year,” said Bryson. “The camp helped me immensely with motivation, preparation, and professionalism, as well as confidence and consistency in my professional surfing.”

“It was clear from the start of this event that Royden had the focus,” said Oakley South Africa Team Manager Greg Emslie. “He has been showing a polished and professional approach since the O-Camp, and this very result has shown to us and to our riders the value of such training programs.”

Along with his prizemoney and points, Royden was also awarded a tiny parcel of land in the Scottish Highlands, and a highland sword. Royden is now a ‘Lord’ of his land.

Presenting Lord Bryson.

Lord Royden Bryson. Image: Kolesky/SanDisk