Jean Kress is a genuine creative spirit, who has been infusing his talent and inspiration as a designer into the European surfing industry for the past 30 years. Before settling in the Landes in 1994, Jean worked for the most prestigious haute-couture names in Paris: Chanel, Lanvin, Guy Laroche or even Dior. His immersion in the 80’s and 90’s in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, nurtured his passion and gave him limitless creativity.
In the late 80’s, Europe was supposed to be no more than a passing trip in the life of a certain young Australian surfer from the Sunshine Coast. That was until a serendipitous encounter with Derek O’Neill on a ferry changed everything. Derek was getting ready to launch Billabong Europe, given the potential of the budding surfing industry on the Old Continent, and he invited Reid to join the adventure.
[Podcast in English] What could have predicted that a carpenter from Torquay would come to reign over the European surfboard business? Not much, apart from a love of surfing and a taste for adventure…and of course an undeniable talent for business. Belly was one of the first Australians to come to Hossegor in the 80’s.
For the fifteenth episode of Podcast Inside Eurosima, we welcome Fred BASSE, former Executive General Manager of Rip Curl Europe & EuroSIMA President.
CHIPIRON. The word embodies the French “Sud-Ouest” though for the past few years it has come to refer to the surfers of an up and coming brand rather than the famous squid dish served in local restaurants.
In just under fifteen years, Damien Marly and Julie Pollet – his partner in the water and on the beach – have succeeded in developing a 360 degree business that spans well beyond just shaping surfboards. It encompasses surfwear, accessories, shops and even a surf school. Chipiron has indeed become a landmark in the Hossegor and Soorts area and the little brand’s ambition is far from ready to stop there.
Emmanuel Debrueres is behind one of the most uplifting stories of the European surf industry in the past few years: the take-over, or rather « rebirth » of Oxbow. It was an ambitious bet, fed by over 25 years of experience in Action Sports and an unwavering passion for the industry and its brands in general.
“I think you have to learn when to stay small and keep a low profile. The more you keep a low profile, the better you can weather the storms that come your way.”
In these few words, taken from the episode, Xabi sums up the Waimea surf shop philosophy. Located just a few meters from the waves in Anglet, the oldest surf shop in Europe to be still in business is more than just a shop. It’s an institution.
Guillaume Cazet has three passions in life: surfing, his city Anglet and organising events. The best part is that he has managed to combine his three passions by working in the Events department of Anglet, which he joined 26 years ago and which he now runs.
The surfing world is like a big family and for Marie-Pascale Delanne, it’s truer than for most. The Delanne siblings wrote some of the first pages in the history of surfing in France, partly right here on the Côte des Basques and Marie-Pascale was no exception.
For this ninth episode of the Inside Eurosima Podcast, we welcome Hervé Lacastaigneratte, Founder of Surf Lounge.
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