The Ripple Effect: Bob Hurley

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

Could you walk away from 100 million dollars? Bob Hurley did, and in doing so made one of the boldest moves in surf industry history. The fourth and final chapter of The Ripple Effect, is the story of the meteoric rise of one of the biggest surf brands in the world and a testament to the reality of the American dream.

These days, Hurley is known as a mega-brand, an archetype for all other hopeful companies to follow – but it wasn't always so. Hurley was once the humble brainchild of a forward-thinking, passionate, sometimes eccentric and always intelligent man. His name is Bob Hurley and he changed the surf industry. In this episode of The Ripple Effect, we tell Bob's story.

Comments

freerider0003's picture
freerider0003's picture
freerider0003 Saturday, 2 Aug 2014 at 2:34pm

OK- Bob Hurley had the modesty (not) to name the company after himself. He then sold Hurley to Nike-- a few years back for-- 60 million-- more money than any sane person could spend in a life time. Hurley is now 100% owned by Nike-- (The Establishment)--the same company where your mom and dad buy their jogging pants-jock straps and roller blades from. How un-cool is that? Nike now owns Hurley 100%. Wearing something from Hurley-- is like wearing something from Nike. Guess if your a soccer mom or dad or yuppie--that won't bother you much. Nike--The Mainstream).-- Don't do it. Ride free. Peace...

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Saturday, 2 Aug 2014 at 7:51pm

You've gone and ruined a beautiful piece of self mythologising advertorial.

shame on you.......hey speaking of microphone for youth: everyone on there was over forty.....

don't tell me the kids are getting fleeced by a bunch of smooth talking buggers old enough to be their parents. Quelle Horreur!

freerider0002's picture
freerider0002's picture
freerider0002 Sunday, 3 Aug 2014 at 4:37pm

Ya-it just seemed like a big self promotion video--but self mythologising fits pretty well also.--Wonder how much he had to pay some of those guys to say that stuff--oh wait-- a lot of those guys work for him--they're already getting paid by him. Its a sad day when a mainstream company like Nike (The Establishment) can somewhat buy their way into surf culture (what little is left of it) and almost no one bats an eye. I guess if your a soccer mom- dad or yuppie, buying something from Nike might seem ok. . Buying something from Hurley now--is the same as buying something from Nike (The Establishment).--But Nike don't surf--Don't do it.-- And ya--I think the kids could be getting fleeced--by Hurley--which is just Nike in disguise now.

freerider0002's picture
freerider0002's picture
freerider0002 Sunday, 3 Aug 2014 at 4:51pm

While were on the subject--an even bigger joke on the kids--youth--was when Volcom was sold to Kering (Caring).-- Kering (Caring)-- is basically a multi- billion dollar French owned women's fashion company. Kering ( Caring)-- now owns Volcom 100%--Volcom is now "owned by"-- and now is-- "The Establishment". Volcom has become the very thing they were rebelling against. Volcom just recently dropped the "Youth against Establishment" motto--because it was so hypocritical now. How can you be "Youth against Establishment"--when you are now owned by-- and now are-- "The Establishment"?

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Sunday, 3 Aug 2014 at 10:45am

'Boardshort of the year' five times in a row. Wow!

I've been wearing the same boardshorts for the last five years. Even washed them once.

freerider0002's picture
freerider0002's picture
freerider0002 Sunday, 3 Aug 2014 at 4:56pm

Dude--spoken like a true surfer.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Sunday, 3 Aug 2014 at 7:36pm

I actually put up a post regarding the fact that I'd surfed in the same pair of boardies for at least ten years. I went swimming in the same shorts today in Sydney and froze my ring piece. But they're still kicking..... O and E in case anyone's interested .

crustt's picture
crustt's picture
crustt Monday, 4 Aug 2014 at 6:36am
Blowin wrote:

I actually put up a post regarding the fact that I'd surfed in the same pair of boardies for at least ten years. I went swimming in the same shorts today in Sydney and froze my ring piece. But they're still kicking..... O and E in case anyone's interested .

You must have been wearing an O and E leggy too.......:-)))

wellymon's picture
wellymon's picture
wellymon Monday, 4 Aug 2014 at 6:40am

Cheers Blowin, thats great, thanks.
Just goes to show that they don't make boardies like they did ten years ago eh;)
I'm for ever getting mine sewn up by my girl, splitting at the arse seams from my trade mark pooh stance, the fly getting ripped apart from the old fella barring up, after a hugh 2 and a 1/2 foot take off. The skinny little knees tearing the shorts like a knife cause they are so long and stretchy to hide those punie surfers legs. Or is it just because I wash them everyday to get rid of that gut wrenching spew smell.

I might have to buy some Hurley boardies, are they good..! Anyone..!

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Sunday, 3 Aug 2014 at 7:45pm

Were they Oakley's?

Did the 'a, k,l and y' wear off?