SWIM-SURF
ViX Paula Hermanny Taps Into Surf Culture for Water Sports Capsule
By Dorothy Crouch, Contributing Writer | December 11, 2025
San Diego–headquartered swim brand ViX Paula Hermanny recently released its limited-edition Water Sports Capsule, nodding to the founder’s upbringing in Brazil’s surf culture with silhouettes in black and white and pieces with UV protection and neoprene trim.
The Surf Shop In a Town With No Waves
Seventh Wave Surf Shop attempts the seemingly impossible. It’s a surf shop in a town with no waves. Its specialty is showcasing independent surf brands looking for space in a very crowded market.
PJ Salvage and Beach Riot Form Joint Venture
P.J. Salvage, the Irvine, Calif.–based sleepwear, intimates and lifestyle brand, formed a joint venture with Costa Mesa, Calif.–based swimwear brand Beach Riot and named former RVCA executive Mark Tinkess as Beach Riot president.
Billabong Names New COO
Jeff Streader was recently named global chief operating officer for surf giant Billabong. Streader will be based in the Irvine, Calif., offices of the Australia-headquartered surf giant.
Volcom Names New Global Creative Director
Volcom, one of the surf/skate and lifestyle world’s most prominent labels, recently named Mike Aho, a veteran graphic designer and filmmaker for Volcom, its new global creative director.
Swim Collective Moves Back to Huntington Beach in August
Swim Collective, the 5-year-old West Coast swimwear show, will return to the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach, Calif., for its Aug. 12–13 run, then move to the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif., in January.
Obituary: Hobie Alter, 80
Hobart “Hobie” Alter, 80, passed away March 29 in Palm Desert, Calif. He was one of the innovators of the sport of surfing and also opened one of California’s first surf shops.
Slater Leaves Quiksilver
After more than 20 years as the public face of Huntington Beach, Calif-based surf giant Quiksilver, Kelly Slater is changing teams.
Voit to Join Element
Frank Voit was named as the global general manager for Irvine, Calif.–based skate label Element.
Jack’s Surfboards On The Move: First Skatepark, Next Up, Santa Monica
Jack’s Surfboards opened a location for its skateboard concept, Jack’s Garage, at the Vans Off the Wall Skatepark in Huntington Beach.
Amuse Society: Fry and Rapp Announce Name of Their New Surf Brand
Surf-industry luminaries Mandy Fry and Summer Rapp made waves when they joined new fashion label Stokehouse Unlimited in January. They recently released a few more details about their project for the Costa Mesa, Calif.–headquartered Stokehouse.
Swimwear Label Bleu/Rod Beattie Sold to Amerex Group
Bleu/Rod Beattie has been sold by New York swimwear manufacturer A.H. Schreiber Co. to Amerex Group.
SIMA Image Awards
Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association (SIMA) hosted its Image Awards on Feb. 13 at The City National Grove of Anaheim.
Legendary Surfer Shaun Tomson Buys Back Solitude Label From Oxford
The legendary world-champion surfer has bought back the surfwear label he sold to Oxford Industries.
RVCA Joins Forces With Model for Capsule Collection
RVCA, a leading boardsports and fashion brand out of Costa Mesa, Calif., recently announced its first capsule collection with a model since its popular collaboration with model and actress Erin Wasson for Spring 2009.
Cherokee Acquires Tony Hawk Brands
Looks like Cherokee Inc. is going to be getting a little air with two new brands, Tony Hawk and Hawk, which it acquired for $19 million in cash.
