Ladies get excited! The new Spring/Summer 2012 Element Eden stash of goodies is descending upon us soon and we can’t wait.

As always with Element, the range has bits and bobs of every style and trend going for the coming summery months. Whether you’re into lace, skinny pants, double demin or ditsy florals, one thing’s for sure, we want everything! Check out a preview of what will be trickling into stores from pretty much now. Seen as though it’s still a little chilly, whilst we’re waiting for the soleil, check out the deals on our remaining winter gear here.

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Element · Skate fashion · Surf fashion

Hey Lex, time for a catch up?

Ahh, where do I start!  It has been a busy season even though its winter..

Been on any trips?

Yeah!  I went to France in September and South Africa in November.  France was amazing as always; however the surf was rubbish, I think I got maybe 5 days of average to poor surf out of the two weeks!  I went wakeboarding at TNG cable near Toulouse though which was fun.  I had never been to SA before so it was a great experience.  I travelled from Durban to Cape Town, then up the Garden Route to Jeffreys Bay where I got to go round the Billabong Head Office.  I managed to surf there but it was only waist high, so fun but not proper J-Bay.  I did do the best backside turn of my life there though! Ha!

Shredding France!

Have you been in the freezing waters here?

Of course!  I’ve been riding a little, its pretty cold now though, there was ice on the edges of the lake last Saturday!  It’s all good until you fall in, then its time to hit the showers!  The aim of the game is to stay dry.

You have been doing some WakeGirlsGo… stuff??

It’s just girly fun.  I thought that because wakeboarding in the UK slows down so much in the winter, why not get the wake girls together and see if we can keep our fitness up in other ways – and having copious amounts of fun while doing it of course!  In October we went down to Croyde for a surfing weekend.  It turned out to be more than we could ever ask for!  We stayed in a beautiful cottage all weekend, had surf lessons, cream teas, nights out at the Thatch, Nalu Bead workshops, Desperados and Photographer Rob Tibbles there to capture it all!  And to top it off, the sun stayed out and the waves cleaned up.  In November the same group of girls headed to Bedford to have a weekend at the Flow House.  Again, so much fun and they were amazing for accommodating us.  We started with riding at WakeMK then headed over for an evening flowrider session, followed by a night out in Bedford.  We spent more time on the flowrider the next day, I think my body took a week to recover!

Flowrider fun!

I hear you were at the Boat Show last week?

Yeah it was girls day there on Friday.  There were two talks by Sarah from Wide-A-Wake and also a Girls Demo in the action pool which I got to ride in; it was pretty nerve racking as there were only four of us – two World Champions, a National Champion and me!  It was good to see the girls get some time to show off their skiiiiiiils.

Showing off the skills at The Boat Show!

Sounds like you’ve been busy! Anything else?

As always  I’ve also been working with a Personal Trainer this winter.  Sharm from Kurup Fit has been pushing me off the water taking me through circuits, which are based around strengthening exercises, muscle building and some intense fitness routines.  We have also been looking at my diet to get more out of what I fuel myself with.  I’ve never had PT before, it’s hard but I’m loving it.

Do you have any trips planned?

You know it! Haha! I am heading to Euro-land in the spring to go surfing for a couple of weeks.  I’m pretty excited about my summer trip though, I’m heading to Alaska to go fishing, hiking, horse riding and hopefully finding a little bit of surfing up there too if I’m lucky.

You are one busy girl!

Ha yeah, but I love it.

It was good to catch up, I’m sure we’ll be hearing from you after your surf trip!

Definitely, I’ll be sure to send you some pics.

Lex · Surfing · Wakeboarding

Billabong once again brings us a world class surf event in the form of The Mundaka Challenge to be held in the Basque Country in Spain. The comp has a pretty unique format, with a two month waiting period, officials and surfers will wait for perfect conditions of six to eight feet before going ahead with the one day, invitation only event.

The Challenge brings in some big names of both new school and old school surfing circles. Surfing stars and legends Bruce Irons, Shane Dorian, Dane Reynolds, Mark “Occy” Occhilupo and Rob Machado to name but a few, will be eager to get barrelled at this famous spot in Spain that is known to be one of the best breaks in the world when conditions are right, hence the long waiting period.

Alongside the big names from across the Atlantic, there is set to be plenty of young, local knowledgeable talent on show and the competition will surely be fierce but it is barrel specialist Occy who is tipped to win by fellow competitor Rob Machado, not least because he won the Mundaka Billabong Pro in 1999 on his way to the world title and has a special affinity with the wave. He has a strong case as the competition is judged solely on the best two tube rides of the day. There’s a nice prize fund too, the winner will receive €15,000 in prize money!

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For more information, click here http://www.billabongpro.com/mundaka12/event/the-2012-billabong-mundaka-challenge where you can find links to live webcasts.

Billabong · Surfing

It’s snowing everywhere (apart from the UK)!

Last winter season in Europe is now but a distant memory after a cracking start to this season and record snowfalls over most of the Alps. In fact, more snow has fallen so far to date this winter than for the whole of last season! Those holidaying over the coming weeks will enjoy soft snow on-piste and powder off and those who have booked later rather than earlier should be encouraged by the base that is being built on lower slopes. If you ventured out for the Easter holidays back in April surely you will remember a lot of grass and sunshine…

Corduroy at it's best!

Pretty much all of France, Italy, Switzerland and now Austria have had heavy snowfalls intermittently from the beginning of December and this weekend yet more snow is forecast for the Northern Alps. High altitude French resorts such as Tignes, Val Thorens in the 3 Valleys and Les Arcs, have almost 200cm of snow at 2500m above sea level, and on lower slopes there is a metre of coverage. Although winds have been high, new snow has fallen quickly and the avalanche risk has been extremely high, there has certainly been some awesome powder to be had and piste conditions couldn’t have been better!

Chamonix, France

Over the Atlantic, North America and Canada got heavy snowfalls early on but had a dry spell towards the end of December. There has been recent precipitation over many resorts in the US and also now in Canada although it is generally thought that this season will be some what warmer than last with perhaps more rain falling than usual.

Snow a-plenty!

Scottish resorts have had plenty of snow although temperatures have risen since and there has been very high winds which have forced some lifts to close. It looks like most have now reopened though and once again, conditions are looking good so far.

Skiing · Snowboarding

The Billabong Pipeline Masters kicked off yesterday 8^th December, with the first day of the twelve day waiting period bringing the biggest waves the Pipeline Masters event has ever seen and it was native Hawaiian John John Florence that impressed the most.

Massive swell, wave after wave. © ASP

The last stop on the ASP World Tour for this season and the 3rd and final stop of the Vans Triple Crown competition, the Billabong Pipe Masters which is in memory of Andy Irons, sees eighteen year old Florence leading the Vans stakes and continuing to impress in professional competition – this year being his first time in the elite 34.

2007 Triple Crown Champion Bede Durbidge (AUS) © ASP Cestari

Last years victor at Pipeline Jeremy Flores (FRA), will not be competing in the final tour stop because of injury. The same also applies to Australian Mick Fanning. They have been replaced by C.J. Hobgood (USA), 32, and Adam Melling (AUS), 26.

Don't look back! © ASP Cestari

An iconic and historic wave, the Banzai Pipeline is often referred to as the best wave on the planet. Known for its perfect, heaving top-to-bottom barrels and its close proximity to shore, not only is it the perfect wave for those willing to charge, but also for the spectators on the beach. Yesterday was big. The spectators almost got washed off the beach at one point and there were many near reef wrenching wipe-outs. If yesterday was anything to go by, the rest of the competition is going to be a great spectacle!

Definitely worth watching the live webcast here:  http://vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters2011/live-gb/

ASP WORLD TITLE TOP 5 (Heading into Billabong Pipe Masters):
1. Kelly Slater (USA) 63,350 pts
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 48,600 pts
3. Owen Wright (AUS) 47,900 pts
4. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 43,700 pts
5. Taj Burrow (AUS) 42,200 pts

VANS TRIPLE CROWN TOP 3 (Heading into Billabong Pipe Masters):
1. John John Florence (HAW) 9,780 pts
2. Adam Melling (AUS) 9,650 pts
3. Michel Bourez (PYF) 8,480 pts

Billabong · Surfing

Element. A brand that is different, a skateboard brand, an environmentally friendly clothing company. Whatever you think when you think Element, there will be so much more behind the story.

Element Eden is Element purely for the ladies. This video will tell you all you need to know and more and is an especially interesting watch for those who love fashion, family, skating, photography, music or just Element.

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Check out our range for ladies and men here.

Element · Skate fashion · Skateboarding

With snow finally falling across the Alps and Christmas drawing closer, here’s a little write-up on our favourite top ten products for this winter and why we like them…(in no particular order)

1. The Element P.M.A t-shirt – because everyone needs a little positive mental attitude during the winter especially if you’re in the UK and it’s raining and dark at 4pm!

2. Full Tilt Hot Dogger boots – because if they’re good enough for Tom Wallisch, they’re good enough for us!

3. DC PLY snowboard – because donuts and coffee are two of our favourite things and this board is also excellent value for cash!

4. Shaun White Oakley Airbrake goggles – because they look and feel amazing and the lens’ are the easiest to change.

5. K2 Party Pole – because they are called the Party Pole and we are ready to party! They are adjustable in length and they look awesome.

6. RVCA Wordless C. dress – because you can still wear a pretty dress in the winter and the detail at the back is very lovely.

7. Line Sir Francis Bacon Skis – because they are designed in every way by pro skier Eric Pollard and they ski like a dream!

8. Billabong Anne Flore Marxer jacket – because she’s one of the world’s best snowboarders and we love the dreamy, pixelated print.

9. Nike Vapen boot – because this is a really good looking snowboard boot for the ladies, it is purple and there is a swoosh. That is simply all.

10. Salomon Brigade helmet – because everyone needs a helmet and this one looks particularly bright.

Skate fashion · Skiing · Snowboarding · Surf fashion

Two Seasons stores are spreading! Late in November our portfolio of nationwide stores grew once again with the addition of our first store in Watford.

Not sure you need any more choice of footwear in Nottingham!

Opening on 25^th November, the store is predominately skate orientated with a large selection of both skate hardware and clothing. There’s something to suit every skaters needs and styles with loads of Element, Plan B and Billabong in the men’s department. The store features a skate wall which is stocked full of the sturdiest shoes for skating and there’s also fashion styles from the Element Emerald collection. If you’re heading out to the slopes, or you just want to wrap up warm in some technical gear this winter, then our new Watford store will be selling a range of ladies and men’s snow clothing. Trendy styles and colours from Billabong and super tech pieces from The North Face mean there’s something for both skiers and snowboarders.

Skate deck anyone?

On a separate note, our presence in Nottingham grows with our newly extended Two Seasons and Element store. There is quite simply everything you need from skate and scooter accessories to a full range of ski and snowboard hardware during the winter not to mention a massive complement of casual, skate and surf wear. Everything all under one roof, what more could you want?

Check out the store page for Nottingham here.

Skate fashion · skate shoes · Skiing · Snowboarding

So, winter is gradually kicking off in the Northern Hemisphere albeit with limited snow in Europe yet absolutely loads to start off the season in the US and Canada. By all accounts the European Alps should be in for a relatively large dump of the white stuff this weekend…

Jake at the O'Neill Rail & DJ Battle in Ice Mountain, Belgium

This season we will be closely following our grom rider Jake Terry (who is also sponsored by Billabong, Dakine and is part of the Flows International Micron Team) and already he’s got off to an awesome start on the competition circuit. Last year saw Jake bagging victories at the British Championships in Laax and The Oakley Grom Games and we hope that this year will be a super successful one once again.

Jake has featured on the podium more than once already since the summer in both the Burton Hi5 Tour, taking 3^rd place (behind a sixteen and seventeen year old) at his home dome Hemel Hempstead and in the O’Neill Rail & DJ Battle where he got 3^rd in the U16 category.

Jake loving the rails at the O'Neill Rail Battle

This season promises to be an even busier one than last for the thirteen year old who is heading to Laax next week to compete in a half-pipe comp. Then it’s here, there and everywhere for the rest of the winter, next stop Davos for training and then to Livingo for the Protest Rookie Fest.

Good luck Jake!

Billabong · Jake Terry · Snowboarding

It has been an interesting week of action sports news this week so here’s a round-up of what’s been going on in the sports we love around the globe.

Andy Irons 1978-2010

First and foremost today, still 2^nd November in the USA, marks the 1st anniversary of the tragic death of one of the world’s greatest surfers. Andy Irons passed away in a hotel room in Texas whilst on his way home from a competition last year having boarded the plane and then been removed due to illness before take-off. Since then the surfing world has been in mourning for him, a family man with a fiery competitive streak, a man who knew how to rustle Kelly Slater’s feathers. He is and well undoubtedly always be spoken about with high regard by his long-term sponsors Billabong, fans and former colleagues.

Ke11y Slater

Ironically, the second hot news story coming out of the US of A today is that the man, the legend, Quiksilver sponsored Kelly Slater has won his 11^th World ASP Title! Another record smashed, Slater was crowned the champ in Round 3 of the Rip Curl Pro Search on Ocean Beach in San Francisco, he has been both the youngest and oldest ASP World Champion having dominated the sport for two decades. Kelly won his previous ASP World Championships in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010. His career victories also include 48 elite tour wins and two ESPN X Games gold medals. Beat that.

Freeze Festival 2011

Last weekend saw the biggest and best Relentless London Freeze Festival so far. Ski and snowboard competitions were another level and the UK had home interest in snowboarders Jamie Nicholls and and Protest Boardwear rider Ben Kilner who competed in the men’s snowboard FIS World Cup Big Air. Both got through to the final ten and Nike 6.0 rider Nicholls only narrowly missed out on a podium spot having stomped a massive double cork. Competition was fierce though and it was Finland’s Janne Korpi won got 1^st.

Jamie Nicholls

In the ski comp it was world class, Atomic rider Jossi Wells who won overall 1^st with a ‘close to perfect’ switch double cork 10, even though 2^nd place Oscar Sherlin threw down a switch double cork 12, it was not as well executed. Norway’s PK Hunder got the last spot on the podium whilst fellow Scandinavian and freeskiing legend Jon Olsson, could only manage 8^th!

As well as the ski and snowboarding action there were countless other things to do and people to see at the two-day festival at Battersea Power Station. Shopping, music and just general fun and games made Freeze an awesome weekend and a must do next year.

11.11.11 – The Nyjah Huston Video

The skate world is eagerly awaiting the drop of Element Skateboard’s and Nyjah Huston’s new movie release which will be available on iTunes on 11.11.11 – the actual name of the movie too. This year has been the biggest yet for the skater who holds the title of youngest ever X Games competitor (he won a silver in 2009) and who this year won his first X Games Gold in the Street competition. Huston also came 2^nd overall in the DC Street League Tour having won the overall competition in 2010.

This is not the first time that Nyjah Huston has been involved in a video project with Element. He had his first part in ‘This Is My Element’ and more recently ‘Elementality’, both excellent representations of skateboarding. 11.11.11 – The Nyjah Huston Video – is sure not to disappoint. Here is one of the few teasers than Element have provided for us and if they are anything to go by then we are definitely in for a treat!

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