Mark Sankey and Alexa Poppe head through Spain and Portugal in search of a surfing paradise.

One of the great things about surfing in this current era is the wide acceptance of different board designs. Over the last 10 years, it has become acceptable to pretty much ride anything from surfmat to singlefin, fish to longboard. Words: Chris Preston Photo (2): Dan Crockett

Flitting between awesome waves at Aileens and Nelscott Reef is all in a week's work for Ireland's big-wave master Al Mennie. Words: Al Mennie Photos: Al Mennie, Gary McCall, Larry Jansky, Richard Hallman

Surfboards come in all shapes and sizes, but none quite so unusual as the Meyerhoffer Peanut. Is this revolutionary design born of genius or madness? Chris Stevens finds out. [Photos 1, 3 & 8 by Chris Stevens; 4 & 7 by Nick Allen]

Mark Sankey and Alexa Poppe uncover the isolation and challenges of the Mentawai Islands, and consider the challenge of balancing tourism and sustainability, in an environmentally sensitive surfing destination.

Co-founder of the original Aussie counter-culture surf bible, Tracks, and director of 'Morning of the Earth', Alby Falzon lives up to his reputation as the spiritual father of the alternative surf lifestyle. Words: Jair Bortoleto Photos: Courtesy of Alby Falzon

Drift checks in with Andrew Crockett following the release of the much-anticipated 'Switch-Foot II', a tribute to surfing's counter-culture.

As the Campbell brothers wrap up a European shaping tour, Mark Sankey discovers Bournemouth's hidden Californian connection, and why old designs aren't necessarily retro. Photos and design by Alexa Poppe

Ian Battrick and Tim Nunn take a journey around the North Atlantic isle of Iceland to put the finishing touches to their book, out this Autumn. Join them on their journey.
Photos Tim Nunn and Ian Battrick Words Tim Nunn

The annual Fish Fry on Australia's Gold Coast gives shapers a non-commercial, non-competitive opportunity to come together and share ideas in a shameless celebration of the fabulous fish. Words: Tommy Leitch Photos: Jamie Bott

Kye Fitzgerald recounts the tale of the unusual return of Bobby Owens' magic board. Photos: Mark Onorati, Aitionn

No UK surf trade show - good or bad thing?

May 27, 2011 | Words By: Howard

No UK surf trade show this year - lack of industry support and a general lack of interest killed it.


We received an email today that The HUB is not happening this year. The organisers blame lack of industry support (man, we know about that) and have officially thrown in the towel.

So, what does that say about the state of the UK surf industry?

Do we even need a UK surf industry trade show?

If you booked a stand or decided not to, we’d like to hear from you about why you didn’t want to support this year’s event. We don’t have an opinion one way or the other, but it would be interesting to find out what happened. Email me here.

The HUB - cancelled

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2 Comments


  1. Rob Haigh says:
    June 1, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    HUB - for what is was - was good value full stop.

    If look you at doing other shows or exhibitions you would have to pay between £250 - £350 sqm

    Also the UK buyers who would have attended HUB are the targeted customers this segment wanted.

    BUT

    In a recession

    Do it in a Hotel with big function rooms or something along those lines, Buying Groups do this.

    You can make the stands corporate etc and show the products off (that’s it)

    (Keeping in mind all the brands budgets was the key to any show being staged.)

    As i said before network with the other brands, hire a hall and do a grass root event together!

    1
  2. Linley Lewis says:
    June 2, 2011 at 11:58 am

    It’s a shame to see an industry event fall back and not be able to continue for a second year running. It’s a good idea, and no doubt a plus for the UK industry, these events bring people together and allow companies to develop relationships amongst each other, which can lead to good development in the future.

    No one needs to go on about how hard the market is at the moment, we all know it, and it does mean that spending comes down to a minimum, and any expense needs to be scrutinised for the small brands and bigger brands alike. It’s a downward spiral, the people are spending less, the companies have less to spend, good ideas and industry events and publications don’t get the finance they need, and it continues to pull everyone down.

    We don’t sell products, so didn’t feel this particular show appropriate for us, more suitable for retailers. We will be exhibiting at this years Boardmasters, and also supporting the London Surf Show which is running for the first time this year (fingers crossed that will run!).

    So in short the Hub not running is a shame for everyone, the organisers through to the rest of the industry. The industry is at the mercy of the consumers, and as long as the mass media continue to paint such a negative picture it’s hard to see things changing so we’re all going to have to get much more creative and work together in order to keep the industry strong.

    2


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