Coastal Carnage Returns to HB.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONVERSE COASTAL CARNAGE RETURNS TO

HUNTINGTON BEACH FOR NIKE US OPEN OF SURFING

 

Converse skate ambassadors Rune Glifberg, Tom Remillard and Sammy Baca headline the pro/am skateboarding competition

 

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (July 21, 2011) – Today, Converse Inc. announces the return of Converse Coastal Carnage, a pro/am skate competition consisting of 40 premier skateboarders in Huntington Beach, CA. taking place against the backdrop of the Nike US Open of Surfing – the world’s largest youth culture and action sports festival. Converse Coastal Carnage continues in its third year as the skate component to the event which is owned and produced by IMG, the global leader in sports and entertainment. The skate competition is free for spectators and runs Friday, August 5 through Sunday, August 7.

 

Converse Coastal Carnage will be a jam format consisting of 10 qualifying rounds with four riders skating against each other at the same time. As an invite-only, pro/am event, Converse Coastal Carnage combines experienced professionals like Converse Skate Ambassador Rune Glifberg and Sammy Baca competing against a wave of fresh new talent. Up-and-comer Converse Skate Ambassador Tom Remillard returns this year with a vengeance for the top prize.  Placing second last year, Remillard is among many of the young up-and-comers giving the veteran riders like Glifberg a run for their money.

 

“Now in its third year, Converse Coastal Carnage continues to gain momentum. It’s awesome to see skate legends and new talent competing so intensely side by side, and the beach setting creates a real electric atmosphere for the guys,” said Geoff Cottrill, Chief Marketing Officer of Converse.  “We’re looking forward to putting on a great show for the crowd this year.”

 

Converse Coastal Carnage brings the look and feel of a retro pool to a modern skate competition. The course, a double wooden bowl with plenty of hips, tight corners and mellow transitions, incorporates new obstacles this year to keep the competition primed and ready for anything.

 

The Converse Skate Pavilion, a mini-bowl located directly in front of the main course, also returns this year, free and open to the public. Anyone with a board is welcome to skate and try out the latest Converse product throughout the entire week of the Nike US Open of Surfing.

 

Also appearing at Coastal Carnage this year is one of Converse’s premier riders, Kenny Anderson.  This summer Anderson launched his first signature shoe, the Converse KA-ONE, with an integrated brand campaign and short film titled “L.A. TO VEGAS”.  The KA-ONE is sold at specialty retailers, and online at www.converse.com for a suggested retail price of $60.

 

For more information on Converse Coastal Carnage, visit www.usopenofsurfing.com for contest times, rider profiles, photos, video and more.

 

 

About Converse

Converse Inc., based in N. Andover, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIKE, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as “America’s Original Sports Company”™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including premium lifestyle men’s and women’s footwear and apparel. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 58 company-owned retail locations in the U.S. For more information, visit Converse on the web at www.converse.com.

 

 

US Open of Surfing Background

The 2011 Nike US Open of Surfing will run from July 30 to August 7.  The US Open of Surfing is owned and produced by IMG, the global leader in sports and entertainment. With more than 500,000 people in attendance along a 14-acre stretch of sand on the south side of Huntington Beach Pier, the Nike US Open of Surfing showcases the best in surf, skate, BMX, music, fashion and art. All events at the US Open of Surfing are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Live webcast of all the events can be viewed daily at www.usopenofsurfing.com. Anchored by the world’s largest professional surfing competition, the $460,000 US Open is a pivotal point on the ASP World Tour for both the men and women. The men’s competition will feature a North America ASP Men’s Prime event with valuable points on the line right before the coveted ASP Top 34 rotation. For the women, the US Open of Surfing will host the final event of the 2011 ASP World Title Tour and will potentially crown a women’s world champion in Surf City this summer. In addition to the high-stakes mens and womens divisions, the US Open will feature an ASP Grade Four men’s and women’s Junior Pro as well as the Pacifico Nose Riding Invitational – always a crowd favorite.

 

The action doesn’t stop at the shoreline. On the beach, Converse Coastal Carnage will once again host the most talented and diverse crew of riders from across the globe as they skate in a state-of-the-art skate bowl. And, a stellar crew of BMX riders will push the realm of possibility at the Nike 6.0 HB BMX Pro. The runway will be busy on Thursday, August 4 as five of the nation’s top high schools will compete for $25,000 in the Hurley Walk the Walk National Championship – the ultimate youth fashion competition.

 

Combined with one-of-a-kind retail and brand experiences, more than 100 interactive exhibits, autograph signings, DJs and giveaways, and you have another summer to remember at the Nike US Open of Surfing.

 

The Nike US Open of Surfing is proudly sponsored by G-Shock, Skullcandy, Red Bull, Pacifico, Paul Mitchell Salon Haircare, Invisalign Teen and Transworld Media.