California Apparel News

Style-conscious surfers, beach-lifestyle lovers and snowboarders apparently have had trouble finding gym shorts or sweatpants that appeal to their particular aesthetic. For them, Huntington Beach, Calif.–based surfwear manufacturer Quiksilver has launched QuiksilverEQPT, a new line of off-board performance wear for men.

Offering technical garments that protect the wearer from the elements and wick away sweat, EQPT (pronounced “equipped”) includes shirts, jackets and pants. The idea is to give board riders core-looking gear to sport while training on land, whether hiking, running or pumping iron.

“Before QuiksilverEQPT, everything I saw on the market for working out had too much of a ’jock’ feel to it,” said Quiksilver athlete Todd Richards.

The company says it’s not just slapping its graphics on a moisture-wicking T-shirt. Quiksilver consulted with its athletes and developed technologies and fabrics that protect wearers from wind, sun and rain.

The line features technical fabrics including QuikFresh, which features an antimicrobial odor-eating finish; QuikDry, which wicks sweat away from the skin; QuikBlock, which offers UV protection; and QuikRepel, a wind- and rain-repellant fabric.

The line’s gym shorts, for example, feature boardshort-inspired styling, with the added benefits of QuikFresh and QuikDry. Its “Pierside Softshell” jacket features a water-repellant Teflon coating, hand-warmer pockets and an interior pocket for an MP3 player. The entire line features a relaxed silhouette and wholesale price points that range from $14 to $105.

“QuiksilverEQPT is a natural extension for the Quiksilver brand,” said Bob McKnight, the company’s chief executive officer. “Whether they are biking through the desert, running on the beach, playing volleyball or tennis, or just lifting weights at the gym, guys can now rely on a brand they know and trust for apparel that will protect them from the elements and prepare them for their next mission.”

The line will launch with Holiday 2006 and will sell at Quiksilver stores as well as national retailers.

Etnies Grows Team, Buys Warehouse

Lake Forest, Calif.–based footwear and apparel skate brand Etnies has added two new members to its brand marketing team. The manufacturer, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, hired Chad Navarro as its sports marketing group manager and Dave Boehne as its surf team manager.

Etnies has experienced strong growth over the last several years. Paul Migaki, chief operating officer of the brand’s parent company, Sole Technologies, has said sales grew 30 percent to approximately $200 million in 2005.

To accommodate the increasing demand, the company—which sells shoes under the Etnies, Es and Emerica brands—has purchased a 315,000-square-foot warehouse at 17300 Slover Ave. in Fontana, Calif. It will triple Etnies’ storage space.

The new warehouse is set to come online for the Holiday shipping season later this year and will house the company’s distribution, receiving and operations departments.

“Fontana is becoming a hub for distribution,” Migaki said. “We decided to purchase a facility that would be big enough to distribute both footwear and apparel for all brands under one roof, but most importantly, it is a building substantial enough to accommodate our aggressive future growth plans.”

The company has been looking to expand its current 120,778-square-foot footwear and apparel warehouse since early 2005.

SIMA Announces Waterman’s Charities

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Environmental Fund has announced that proceeds from its annual Waterman’s Ball fundraiser will go to 13 environmental organizations.

SIMA hopes to raise $450,000 at the event, set for Aug. 5 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, Calif. This year’s recipients will dedicate the funds to programs that address water quality and pollution issues; protect beaches and surf breaks from development; or provide public education about oceanic conservation.

The environmental groups receiving grants include Surfrider Foundation, Ocean Institute, Heal the Bay, Orange County CoastKeeper, Reef Check and the Surfing Education Association.

“The state of our beaches and surf breaks directly affects our industry, so it is crucial we continue to help ensure the quality and health of our oceans for future generations,” said Paul Naude, chairman of the Environmental Fund and chief executive of Billabong USA.

The event will honor Quiksilver’s Bob McKnight as the SIMA Waterman of the Year; musician and surfer Jack Johnson and his wife, Kim, as Environmentalists of the Year; and legendary surfer Rabbit Kekai with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In related news, the Surfrider Foundation will be getting an infusion of funds and good vibes from Pearl Jam, the celebrated rock band with a conscience. The band has agreed to partner with the Vitalogy Foundation and donate $1 from every ticket sold to its upcoming Los Angeles concerts in July.

The donation will be made in memory of Surfrider activist David “The Rapscallion” Russell and will go to help the organization’s “Save Trestles” campaign. Trestles, a popular surf spot in Orange County, its surrounding wetlands and San Mateo Creek are threatened by the proposed construction of a 16-mile toll road along the coast.