Quiksilver Inc. will lay off 168 more people at its Huntington Beach headquarters, according to a notice filed with the California Employment Development Department.

The restructuring will result in 150 actual layoffs and elimination of another 50 positions, said the company. Quiksilver estimated it would save $40 million annually by eliminating the jobs.

The announcement is just the latest round of layoffs at Quiksilver. Last year, the company cut 397 in Orange County alone, according to records filed with the state Employment Development Department.

Last month, Quiksilver surprised the action sports retail industry when it said it would not participate in this month’s annual Action Sports Retail show in San Diego.  In December, the company said it would close 25 of its surfwear stores.

Robert B. McKnight Jr., chief executive, noted the previous cuts last year, which reduced costs more than $35 million.  He said the spending cuts are across-the-board, but with an eye toward minimizing the impact on customers and other business partners.

“All levels of our organization are affected by these actions as nearly 20 percent of the employees involved in the reduction hold manager-level titles or higher,” said McKnight in a company statement. “Our management team has worked together on these cost reduction measures with the primary goal of becoming better positioned to weather the current environment and to meet our business objectives moving forward.”

download PDF of the press release

read more at the OC register

Rip Curl Gromsearch
Fueled by H20 Overdrive

9th Street Huntington Beach
13 – 14 June 2009

Costa Mesa, Ca — The hottest talent on tap? Yep. Cash money prizes? You know it. Paparazzi-status media coverage? That too. The 2009 Rip Curl GromSearch fueled by H20 Overdrive is locked for 9th Street, Huntington Beach this weekend, June 13-14, to showcase the West Coast’s 16/under talent.

With a pulsating chest high southwest swell aimed to grace 9th street with its presence, no doubt the groms will have the proper platform to get busy. While understandably competitors will be battling for the cash prizes, bottomless giveaways, and bragging rights, they will also be looking to qualify for the prestigious Rip Curl GromSearch National Final this November.

Winners of the National Final will be cashing in on an all-expenses paid trip to Bells Beach, Australia, where they will compete in the Rip Curl GromSearch International Final during the Rip Curl Pro WCT.

For event registration, info, and updates, check out Ripcurl.com/gromsearch. Also, stay tuned to Surfline and surfingmagazine.com for all post-event coverage, video clips, blogs, and more.

The Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s returns to the Huntington Beach Pier for two days, June 28-29, immediately following the NSSA Nationals, June 23-27. The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Grade 4 event is the highest rated Men’s Pro Junior in North America on the 2009 schedule.

“Nike 6.0 is honored to bring Pier Pressure back to Huntington, providing a great platform for the world’s top youth surfers to compete.” said Jason Kenworthy, Nike 6.0 Surf Mentor. “This generation is progressing surfing daily, and we are looking forward to seeing some more next level competition at this year’s Pier Pressure.”

As an ASP Grade 4, the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s boasts more ratings points than any other Men’s Pro Junior in the nation this year and provides a crucial venue for North American surfers looking to qualify for the ASP World Junior Championships. Combined with an ample prize purse of $20,000, the event is sure to draw a who’s who of under 20 year old talent from around the globe.

Last year, the first year of the Grade 4 rating, drew a bevy of standout international talent including Julian Wilson (AUS) who won the title, dominating the event with wins in every heat he surfed in from Round 1. Fellow Aussies, Stuart Kennedy and Chris Salisbury, finished in second and third, respectively. Lone American in the Final, Andrew Doheny (Newport Beach, CA), finished a respectable fourth, holding his own against the Australian onslaught. Another solid Australian contingency looks to be returning again for 2009.

A first-place finish at the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure earns $3,500 and 1,500 points, which is equivalent to winning three ASP Grade 2 events. As indicative of just how crucial a solid finish is in a Grade 4 event, Doheny rocketed from 15th to fourth on the ASP Pro Junior North America ratings after finishing fourth at the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro. He ended the season in third overall on the ratings and was one of only six American men to represent the nation at the 2008 ASP World Junior Championships in Narrabeen, Australia.

Hosted by industry icons Dave Stanfield, Peter Mel and Pat O’Connell a LIVE webcast at www.nike6pierpressure.com will feature a high-quality stream filmed with HD cameras, complete daily surfing action, blow-by-blow live scoring, on-air giveaways, and drop ins by special surprise guests.

The Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure presented by Jack’s appreciates support from sponsors Nike 6.0, Jack’s Surfboards, Hurley, Red Bull, Surfer Magazine, Surfing Magazine and sWaveWatch.com.

story via