BoardsportSource Issue #122 Nov/Dec 2024
The snow season fell historically early – the end of September looked like we were set! An abnormally mild October and November halted proceedings, but at the time of writing, we have a full on dump on our hands.
We know that as the atmosphere is warmer it holds more water, so when it falls – whether that be snow or rain – it does so with ferocity and with record amounts falling in short periods of time, as Europe has been experiencing regularly over the last few months. So bigger dumps less often is more likely. The industry needs a good winter after yet another summer of subdued demand. In particular retailers need sales to free cashflow, to reinvest in new stock and get the traditional pre-book cycles back on stream.
The Summer Olympics in Paris was a welcome profile boost to both skate and surf, with the pic of Gabriel Medina the standout image of the games. Meanwhile the Olympic committee has confirmed that the next two winter Olympics will be in Europe, in Italy in 2026 and France in 2030, which should give a double boost to snowboarding in Europe.
Following on from the successful opening of Surftown in Munich the latest wave park to open in Europe is Edinburgh’s Lost Shore Resort and with many more in the planning stages, the influence of these facilities on the surf market is expected to grow and grow.
Our first issue of the winter is stuffed full of snow goodies, with a Big Wig interview with Korua’s founders Nicholas Wolken & Jerry Niedermeier and a plethora of snowboard related Retail Buyer’s Guides. With all the technological developments over the last 12 months our snowboard binding Retail Buyer’s Guide provides the lowdown on what’s new on the scene and our interview with FASE takes an in depth look at this new ingredient technology. Last but not least our seven brand profiles keep you up to date on brands in the industry and our Market Insight enables you to see what’s going on where in the market. Here’s to a great winter, see you at a trade event soon.
Clive Ripley
Editor
On the cover: Slash Snowboards Iberia Sales Agent Andee Barroso. Photo Julian Lausi.
