O'Neill has announced that everyone's favorite South African, Jordy Smith, has signed another 5 year contract with them. Finally someone is sticking with their original sponsor instead of jumping ship to the Hurley/Nike oligopoly machine. It only makes sense, because I think O'Neill makes the best boardshorts which are all reviewed here.
 
We have looked into our crystal ball, explored the Mayan tombs, rolled our chicken bones, and this is how 2013 will unfold....
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5. Bob Haro will unveil his Ikonix bike, no one will be able to buy it, they will all be sold to collectors at obscene prices. Haro will use that seed money to start a retro line of Haro Master BMX bikes.

4. ZoSea Media will finally get a website, create a some sort of business plan, draft a mission statement, and basically let people know who they are and what they plan on doing with the ASP Tour in 2014.
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3.  Hurley will sponsor John John Florence (with Nike's money). If Nike couldn't get a world champ in 2012, they'll just sponsor as many surfers as possible behind the guise of the Hurley brand.

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2. Areas devestated by Hurricane Sandy like the Rockaways, Long Beach, Coastal NJ will all rebuild and come back stronger than before.

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1. Aliens will land on Earth and reclaim Kelly Slater as one of their own. Why do you think his wave pools are round? Perfect landing pads for the flying saucers. He will take surfing to new planets, thus preventing another year of him beating kids less than half his age on the ASP Tour.

 
That's right, as of January 1, 2013 all of Nike sponsored surfers will become sponsored by Hurley. Since Nike owns Hurley, this will just involve some new board decals and some new wetsuits. Now for the confusing part, Nike will be pouring more money into the Hurley brand in attempt to sponsor every surfer on the world tour (or at least 8 of them, and possibly 9 if John John Florence signs a deal). So Nike is basically using Hurley as a big front to pump more cash than ever into the sport. 

This also means that Nike will no longer sponsor any contests, which we reported earlier when they pulled out of the 2013 US Open, but now the Nike Lowers Pro will need a new sponsor as well. No confirmation if Hurley will step in to sponsor any contests yet.
 
That's right, Transworld is reporting Nike, and its 2 subdivisions Hurley and Converse, will not sponsor the 2013 US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Why? Because it's expensive and Nike wants to use that budget elsewhere. Will Nike allocate those funds towards other sports or on individual surfers instead? Did they view their foray into surfing a failure despite Nike sponsored surfers Julian Wilson and Lakey Peterson winning this years US Open in the men's and women's divisions? Or maybe my negative review of their Legacy boardshorts made them realize they're not core enough? These are all questions we hope to see answered in the near future.
 
Hurley has been teaming up with product collaborations all summer. First Nike and now TWLOHA.  To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit organization that helps people with struggling with depression, addiction, self injury and suicide. These Phantoms boardshorts are really unique and show you support a good cause. Check them out on TWLOAH.com.
 
I feel like I woke up in Bizarro world this week. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Billabong's ill timed retail outlet expansion in 2010 is straining financials and killing the brand. All this during the same week when Nike release's their Free Run +3 Hurley edition shoes, which sold out in 25 minutes today (don't worry I got a pair). Billabong is no longer a core brand. Nike drops the 6.0 name to sell a co-branded sneaker with a surfing company. Is this the new world order?
 
Like Porsche and Audi, Emilio and Charlie, Nike and Hurley are family members who are finally doing a joint venture. GQ is reporting that the Nike Free Run +3 and matching Hurley NRG shorts will be released this weekend to coincide with the Nike US Open of Surfing. I like the shorts more than the sneakers, and it appears Nike is no longer using its 6.0 brand to hawk some new gear.