Euro Surf News - February
B&B Barcelona secure
Though not enjoying the same kudos as the just-completed ispo winter, the honchos heading Bread and Butter’s winter gathering in Barcelona seemed pleased with the just-released stats of their recent January show.
Almost 50,000 visitors toured the three day show, checking out some 780 brands making up the event’s second Spanish edition. Says BB’s Karl-Heinz Muller in a recent press release: “The great success of BBBarcelona’s second edition affirms our strategy… (and) has imposingly shown that it was the right decision to establish Barcelona as a platform for the southern regions. This is why we have extended our commitments in Barcelona for an unlimited period. Berlin as well as Barcelona are the ideal locations for BREAD & BUTTER and therefore both cities are the firm addresses for the ‘tradeshows for selected brands’ in Europe.”
Movers and shakers…
Cult has moved its European headquarters from Plymouth to Biarritz, says Euro director Jonathon Gilbert. The move has come with an increased distribution – hitting 13 countries this year – and growing European success.
Meanwhile Mambo has opened a new flagship store in Brighton in a high-profile two-storey Deco building. The store is scheduled for a flagship renovation later in the year and will be the first European Mambo store to be fitted out with the new retail concept currently being developed in Australia.
At Rip Curl Europe, former French women’s surf champ, Marie Pierre Abgrall, is the new coach of the company’s European girl’s team. She’ll make her first appearance at this month’s ‘big’ WQS in Phillip Island with Pauline Ado, Marie Dejean and Annabel Talouarn, all from France. Abgrall will be working in collaboration with Europe team manager, Gilles “Kéké” Darqué in organizing special training to help build the Curl’s female European surf talent.
Globe sponsors French big wave challenge
The wait is on for the fourth edition of the Surf Session big wave challenge.
To be held at Guethary in the southwest of France, the comp will take place between now and March. Swell must hit a minimum of 15 feet before the challenge can take place, with only 24 surfers to be invited to compete (including previous winner, Aussie Robbie page). The biggest Saturday of the period will be chosen, so keep an eye out for the advance reports – sounds like one day of surfing that will be worth watching.