Tom Schaar Honored With Forbes "30 Under 30" Sports Selection

A Tribe Called Blendz: Meet Our Founder/Chief Shaderator

Chase Fisher is the boss man behind Blendz. From surfing to Jerry Maguire, hear how the influences of his early years guided him to the path he's on now and helped inspire a life lived in forward motion.

Blenders: C Fish, you’re the big fish around here (wow, punz). People get that a company founder often plays a lot of different roles beyond hirings. What are some things you routinely do at Blendz that may surprise folks?

Chase: Every day presents a new challenge to barrel into here at Blendz, so I’m constantly adapting and wearing different hats. I’m working to grow the team, sure, but I’m also heavily involved in product design, marketing, partnerships, and brand direction. It’s both macro and micro.

Blenders: You got the idea for Blenders in a nightclub and, early on, sold shades out of your backpack on the beach while doubling as a surf coach. Tell us a bit about that time—the demands, the rewards, etc.

Chase: The last few years have been the most wild, demanding, beautiful ride, man. Entrepreneurship is truly the gnarliest self-discovery phase you can go through, but I wouldn't change it for anything. From slanging shades on the beach out of my backpack to now acting as a headline sponsor of huge events like SuperGirl Pro, it’s breathtaking to compare the “then” and “now.” Building a brand sometimes meant sleepless nights and barely breaking even, but Blendz is humming in the best way and we have a killer community that demands we never settle and always keep moving in forward motion.

Blenders: Starting a company is a wild thing. What aspect of this business would you say most staggered you?

Chase: Seeing how stacked the deck is against newcomers. One company owns roughly 80% of the entire market. When you’re a startup, that’s a stunning stat to think about—but it also acts as a driving force.

Blenders: Is there a role model or source of inspiration that kept you going? Like any business endeavor, for a while there, it was tough.

Chase: My best buds at Pura Vida served as an incredible source of inspiration; seeing them make things happen in the fashion space made me a believer. San Diego and its people, too, just generally—it feels like everyone is doing cool shit here, so why not join in? And then there’s my pops. Seeing his entrepreneurial spirit in action at a young age has left an indelible mark—he’s the savvy dude that saw Jerry Maguire, heard Cuba Gooding Jr. jubilantly scream, “SHOW ME THE MONEY!!,” and ran out and trademarked the phrase and made a business out of it. How dope is that?  

Blenders: Of all the pro athletes and celebs that have rocked a pair of Blendz, who have you been most stoked or surprised to see do so? 

Chase: Snoop Dogg’s been spotted in the early days of Blendz, hah, that was pretty crazy to see. Oh and Dwight Howard was seen last summer in some ‘Autumn Fires.’ But most recently, it’s been sick to have Lakey Peterson, Cam Fitzpatrick, Jessika Jensen, and Austin Keen officially join the team as Blendz ambassadors

Blenders: How’s that new office, chief? You recently made a big move to a fresh flagship retail location. 

Chase: Yessir! The new HQ and store is SOLID! We’re building more space in the back now which should give us even more growth. We’re 3 blocks from the beach and easily accessible now. If you’re in the area, come on by!

Blenders: What’s your favorite pair (or pairs) of Blendz?

I’m on the ‘Empire Collection’ kick. These are pretty sick and different for Blendz. ‘Sundance Tawny,’ ‘Dark Brook' and ‘Primo Extremo.’  

Sundance Tawny

Dark Brook

Primo Extremo

Blenders: What would you say is your favorite aspect of living in San Diego?

Chase: There are people in SD absolutely hustling but they still manage to stay chill, ya know? Ambition’s everywhere, but people are genuine. There’s just a level of authenticity that’s refreshing. And in-between the meetings and the daily grind, it’s easy to go for a surf.  

Blenders: Surfing’s in your blood. What break have you always wanted to experience, and which would you say is your fav?

Fav Break - Cloudbreak at Tavarua Island Resort, Fiji. Had been a lifelong dream of mine to surf it. Can't Wait to Surf - Mentawais, Indo.

Chase: Put me in any ‘Sarah Michelle Gellar’ movie back in the late 90s or early 2000s. She was my kryptonite, especially in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She slayed vampires and our hearts. 

Blenders: Imagine you have an extra hour in your day, every day. What would you do with that time?

Chase: Hit the surf, without a doubt. Maybe also find something new to challenge myself with outside the water, too, like I did recently with boxing. Remember: Being bad at shit is the first step toward being good. Don’t be afraid to get humbled.

Blenders: So what’s next for the company, boss?

Chase: Let’s see: 1. More RADNESS. 2. New partners, new athletes. 3. More customer smiles. 4. More retail stores in more cities. 5. New steezy, off-the-charts products and categories. 2020 is going to change the damn game for Blendz. Lets Go!

A Tribe Called Blendz: Meet Our Design Dream Team

A Tribe Called Blendz: Meet Our Chief Content Coordinators

MARCH RADNESS // ASHLEY KIDD

4x World Wake Surfing Champion, Ashley Kidd, has been out there carving a legacy. From championship runs to operating her own surfboard store and bikini line, she’s absolutely been living life in forward motion. 

Recently, we caught up with the Blenders Brand Ambassador for a little Q & A as part of women’s history month, wherein we talk championships, business, and style:

Blenders: What inspires you to  live life in forward motion as much as possible every week?

Ashley: Life can be ended at any second so always live up to your full potential and accomplish as much as you can!  

Blenders: Your first wake surfing contest was the World Wake Surfing Championship in 2010, where you nabbed second place. What did that immediate success do for your confidence?

Ashley: I actually entered that competition not knowing whether I was good at wake surfing or not so it was a huge surprise for me to be recognized and actually receive my first sponsor at that time. That first competition was the beginning of my wake surfing career from then on I went to competitions and competed in the pro level on the wake surfing circuit, so I guess you can say that competition definitely boosted my confidence and changed my life! 

Blenders: You’re now a 4X World Wake Surfing Champion. What was your favorite/most memorable pro competition and why?

Ashley: My favorite competition was the World Wake Surfing Championship in Las Vegas in 2014 when I won my first World title and Female athlete of the year award. It was literally the best feeling in the world!

Blenders: How fulfilling was it to become an entrepreneur (Cheekah Bikinis)?

Ashley: Knowing that I can start a business from nothing to something great was mind blowing to me. If you set your mind to something you can accomplish everything! I actually decided to close down Cheekah Bikinis because I realized that it wasn't my passion. It was a great experience that showed me I can run a company but it also really made me appreciate wake surfing so much more!

Blenders: What’s your fav pair of Blendz?

Ashley: I absolutely LOVE the A series and the Guava Queen North Park

Blenders: Imagine you need a walk-up song in baseball (or a WWE ring entrance jam, take your pick). What bop are you going with?

Ashley: Probably “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift because I would just walk in dancing... I know it's been so over played but it literally always puts me in a good mood lol.

Blenders: What’s your spirit animal?

Ashley: An Eagle! Haha, I am a strong person but also like being laid back and want to just fly around lol.

VANS PARK SERIES AFRICAN CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: WHAT YOU MISSED

Organized by The Boardr and sponsored by Vans, the African Continental Championships park series went down this weekend in Cape Town and it gave South African hopefuls a chance to show out and earn a spot at the Park Series World Championships—and perhaps even the pro tour.

Ultimately, the Vans Park Series African Continental Championships that concluded Saturday, Sept. 15th was more than a regional showcase for local talent. It was a first-of-its-kind event in Africa that brought to life the area’s first public skate bowl. That’s the kind of sporting development we have a soft spot for, so we couldn’t help but shine a quick light on the results from this one.

VANS AFRICAN CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS FAST FACTS

• All skaters must have met regional eligibility requirements
• There’s a Vans Park Series iOS app
• Skaters either went until they fell or until the 30-second timer ended
• Four runs only
• Five skater jams total, in order
• Scoring was made based on “overall impression”
• Only the top eight made it to the finals of a Jam
• The oldest participant was Brett Shaw from Durban, South Africa at the age of 45
• The youngest participant was Manoa Mayer from Cape Town, South Africa at the age of 12 (yup, 12!)

RESULTS 

Competition was fierce but there could be only one. (How very Highlander of us.)

It was Yann Horowitz who came away with top honors… and if that name’s at least vaguely familiar to you, well, there’s probably a couple reasons for that.

But first, here’s how the primary results broke down:

1st Place

Yann Horowtiz, Age 27  

Ranked 379th

2nd Place

Thalente Biyela, Age 25  

Ranked 755th

3rd Place

Kalvyn Mac Millan, Age 29  

Ranked 603rd

Full contest results here.

Repping South Africa, the 27-year-old Horowitz stole the show and looks poised to advance beyond his 379th-ranked global ranking (remember, this isn’t the pro tour). Sponsored by the likes of adidas, Stance, RVCA, and Baseline Skateshop, Horowitz isn’t your average “outside the top 300”-type competitor. An outspoken ambassador for the game, Horowitz is a riser in South Africa and a guy that’s getting his voice heard. (He also happens to be gay but prefers to be known as a great skateboarder first-and-foremost; activist second). But no matter how you do or don’t know of him, he’s someone to watch.

You can follow Yann Horowtiz on Insta, @horoblitz.

P.S. The Vans Park Series Men’s Pro tour (going up a rung!) heads to Shanghai for the 2018 World Championships on October 26th-27th. As you can imagine, we’ll have some solid coverage for all of ya!

It's Summer Somewhere

From Hawaii to Haiti to countless points in-between, it's summer somewhere, Here are a few shots of Blenders  living in forward motion!

1. @ALOHABRADDAH | WAIKIKI, HAWAII

Maika being zen af here in what has to rank as a “Top 10” of summer poses.

Shades: Natty Ice Lime

2. @MATT_BROOMALL_1 | MARGATE, NEW JERSEY

The lenses of the 'Natty McNasty’ sunnies perfectly capture the hue of the ocean’s waves. Strong choice, Matt!

Shades: Natty McNasty

3. @GRACE_MCLAUGHLIN | TORREY PINES STATE NATURAL RESERVE, SAN DIEGO, CA

Blenders’ own Grace McLaughlin with a lil flower power and some seriously cutting-edge shades.

Shades: Wild Delilah 

4. @EIJIPHOTO | LA JOLLA TIDE POOLS, CA

Eiji checks in this summer with an absolutely jaw-dropping self-portrait shot thanks to an assist from @enchantingpixels. A little post-production magic—there was a 2x6 board spanning the rocks that was later edited out. Very cool!

Shades: Tipsy Goat Polarized

5. @IAMJAMESANTHONY | HAITI, HISPANIOLA 

Jumping off boats into azure Haitian waters, all while rocking a sick, zero-curvature mirrored look? Just a day in the life for James.

Shades: Blue Phoenix

6. @J_K_YOUMANS | SUPER GIRL SURF PRO, OCEANSIDE, CA 

Sun, surf, and a cold brew—Jordan hit upon a tough-to-beat combo while drinking in the fierce competition at last month’s Super Girl Surf Pro in nearby Oceanside. Peep our recap of the event!

Shade: Rolling Dice

7. @STEPHIEPAIGE | CANCUN, MEXICO

Stephanie looking radiant in ‘Autumn Fire’courtesy of @stephenplopper.

Shades: Autumn Fire 

RECAP: VANS U.S. OPEN OF SURFING 2018

Three hundred world-class athletes—including the planet’s top surfers—took over Huntington Beach over the past nine days for a celebration of surfing and surf culture. There were outdoor movie showings, athlete meet-and-greets, concerts, and art installations.

Oh, and a lot of badass surfing.

It was the biggest surf event in North America this year and, now that it’s over, we wanted to hit you with results and highlights for anyone not fortunate enough to be in the area.

“Spoiler” alert: It was a special time for homegrown talent.

THE WOMEN’S SURF COMPETITION

The Sunday finals of the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing saw two women left standing: current World #1 (and 6x world champion!), Stephanie Gilmore, versus Huntington Beach’s own Courtney Conlogue.

Spicing up this storyline is the fact that Conlogue was returning from injury. Despite this, she never pressed or appeared anxious. Instead, she wisely sat back and let Gilmore come out of the gate with fervor, the latter catching waves almost immediately but posting only decent scores. Conversely, Conlogue leveraged her knowledge of the area and wave behavior, grabbing and slicing the hell out of one of the best waves the final heat had to offer.

Ultimately, it led to a thrilling comeback victory for Conlogue.

"It's so great performing in front of my hometown," said Conlogue following the big win. "We spend so much time traveling during the season, and when you get your hometown vibe, there's nothing like it. You just absorb all that energy and use it as fuel for your fire."

"The win in 2009 was quite amazing for that time in my life, and now this one has its own special meaning for me. Coming back from injury, it's the first event I've felt 100 percent. Both of these wins here have been amazing and unforgettable.”

While Gilmore had to settle for runner-up, she managed to increase her lead in the 2018 World Title race.

THE MEN’S SURF COMPETITION

It was a huge weekend for hometown heroes.

Like the women’s competition, the top of the podium on the men’s side was represented by Huntington Beach local, Kanoa Igarashi. He defeated Griffin Colapinto in an enthralling final, becoming the first back-to-back men’s U.S. Open winner since fellow Huntington Beach native, Brett Simpson.

The men’s final was a truly wild back-and-forth affair that opened with Colapinto scoring an impressive 8.00. The heat was on, and Igarashi’s initial 7.60 left him at a disadvantage. But he seized a chance in the waning minutes of the competition, stomping a reverse and laying claim to an 8.17 score in the final heat.

"That was the best heat I've ever had," exclaimed Igarashi. "On that last wave, I don't know, I felt like something just took over me and whatever I was going to do on that wave I was going to land it. When I stood up on that wave I knew I already had the score.”

"The whole contest I was just thinking about this final heat. I paced myself the whole time and let it all out at the end. It was a really hard heat, the waves were slow, but I just believed that Huntington was going to give me the waves and it did.”

WHAT’S NEXT

Next week, the WSL Championship Tour reconvenes in beautiful Teahupoʻo, Tahiti in French Polynesia for the men’s Tahiti Pro starting this Sat, August 10!

ROUNDUP: THE BEST FROM AROUND THE WEB, JANUARY

We’re gonna guess that most of you missed at least a few of the below articles and, well, you probably shouldn’t have.



After all, we’re certainly not the only ones posting good content on the web. From The Red Bulletin to Barstool, here is some of the best this month had to offer across sports, campus culture, and entrepreneurship.

1. “ACTOR TERRY CREWS TALKS ABOUT THE EXHILARATING TERROR OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP”

Terry Crews is an everyman that does everything. A former NFL player turned TV and commercial star ( Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Old Spice), he’s also an author and a furniture designer, too. (Yes, really!)

Bonus: If you didn’t have a healthy enough appreciation of Terry Crews before, watch his Hot Ones interview here and just try not to love the man. 

2. “ MEET 'BAYWATCH' ACTRESS AND ACTIVIST ILFENESH HADERA”

The 31-year-old actress whom The Rock calls “tougher than new rope” is cool as hell, not afraid to drop a timely “f-bomb,” and redefining what it means to be a “Baywatch babe.”

3. “SOME GUY ACCIDENTALLY SWIPED LEFT ON A GIRL ON TINDER SO HE DID THE NORMAL THING AND EMAILED EVERY “CLAUDIA” AT MISSOURI STATE LOOKING FOR HER”

Shout out to Barstool for writing a headline that also doubles as the synopsis—makes our job easier. But yeah, 50/50 whether this is cute or way overkill, but in his email (attached below) the dude seems pretty normal, so we’ll give the benefit of the doubt. And yes, he did find his Tinderella. Talk about shooting your shot!

4. “MAMA DON’T LET YOUR SURFERS GROW UP TO BE BABIES”

The son of Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, opens up on spending much of his formative years in Maui, traveling with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings in his youth, his love of surfing, and his burgeoning golf game.

5. “HOW TO HIKE THE HIMALAYAS WITHOUT PRIOR TRAINING”

You don’t have to be a pro to get close to Everest. Three Nepalese trekking guides spoke with The Red Bulletin to plan a thrilling four-day, three-night itinerary.

6. “PARTY WHERE EVERY GUEST GIVES A DRUNKEN POWERPOINT PRESENTATION IS AN AMAZING IDEA”

“Drink Talk Learn (DTL)” sweeps the nation, with topics including “Hidden Meanings in Classical Music — Acid Trips, Soviet Defiance, and Jaws,” “An Exploration of Shadow the Hedgehog’s True Moral Compass,” and our personal favorite, “Dogs with Jobs — Occupations for the Canine Individual.” Plan for your next party accordingly!

7 OF THE SICKEST SURF SPOTS IN THE WORLD

Ready to catch a wave?



Awesome. But before you get off the couch to head to your local spot, be sure to soak in this list of seven of the sickest surf locales in the world. There are some badass breaks at all these destinations, ensuring that even the most seasoned among you will be up against a sick challenge.

 

1. MUNDAKA BEACH, SPAIN



Image Credit: Blog Friendly Rentals

Let’s start with Spain. This medieval village in the Basque country is thought by many to have some of the most premiere waves in all of Europe. Mundaka Beach, roughly 90 meters long and 100 meters wide, serves up waters perfect for those of moderate to advanced skill. A picturesque destination, it’s hosted surf contests as part of the World Tour for many years—and for good reason, as waves here reach as high as 12 feet and last for as much as 300 meters.


 

2. BUNDORAN BEACH, COUNTY DONEGAL, IRELAND

Image Credit: Simply Woman Magazine

In search of some of the finer waves Europe has to offer? Seek the moody green waters of Bundoran Beach in Ireland. Sure, the sea here can be cold, but if you’re well-seasoned it won’t matter. The ten-foot-plus waves are far too much of an attraction to turn down—plus, there’s nothing like throwing a few back at an Irish pub with the locals. (It’s Dublin, so by “a few” we mean “a shit ton,” of course.)

 

3. FUERTEVENTURA, CANARY ISLANDS



Image Credit: The Vacation Times



Time to get on island time. Fuerteventura off the African coast has an immense collection of wildly popular waves, including Generosa Suicides, Shooting Gallery, El Hierro, German Rights, and others. Chief among these is The Bubble, the celebrated right-hand tube reserved for experts only. If you’re aching for a challenge, pack your sunglasses between October and March for the height of surf season.


 

4. HODDEVIK, NORWAY

Image Credit: Fjord Norway

Fantastically consistent swells and breaks for beginners to da pros characterize the mountain-wreathed wilds of Hoddevik, Norway. The prospect of icy waters may deter some of you, but don’t let it—modern wetsuit technology totally has your back, and besides, you won’t have to deal with the obnoxious crowds prevalent in some of these other destinations.

 

5. BLACK’S BEACH, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Repping the contiguous United States is Black’s Beach in San Diego—which we’re still pretty sure means “whale’s vagina” in German. Anyway, Black’s Beach is stowed away under the bluffs of Torrey Pines and is considered perhaps the dopest surfing spot on our mainland. Bear in mind that Fridays and Saturdays can get crowed af, though, and if you’re a beginner, you should look elsewhere.



 

6. HOSSEGOR, FRANCE

Image Credit: Volcom, YouTube



Vive la France! Hossegor is another pro destination for those jonesing for a wicked wave. If your skills are up to par, you’ll enjoy gloriously brutal beach breaks that can go head-to-head with anything found in Hawaii—not to mention the warmest Atlantic sea temperatures around. And if your skills are not quite up to speed yet, there’s always La Sud directly to the south, catering to the beginner and intermediate types.

 

7. EHUKAI BEACH PARK, NORTH SHORE, OAHU, HAWAII





We had to finish by showing love for Hawaii. It belongs on any surfing list, as does Ehukai Beach Park in particular. Why? It features the world-famous, experts-only Bonzai Pipeline. Get this: Its waves reach as high as 25 feet OR MORE in the winter months. But, ugh, proceed at your own peril, alright?