Press release:
Wabsono International is proud to announce the appointment of surf icon, Peter “PT” Townend as contest director for the 2014 Red Bull Qiantang Surfing Shoot Out.
After growing the Qiantang Silver Dragon tidal bore event from demonstration to a full blown $28k purse contest, Glenn and his partners felt it was time to step it up a notch and bring on the power of PT.
“We were pleased to have ex-world champion, Mr. Townend as a judge last year and appreciated his professionalism and experienced help in not only the judges boat but also as we prepared for the event.” Bao Xuping, President Wabsono Int.
“As we considered the growth of the event, demands by our sponsors and the local authorities, we felt the need for more professional assets. PT and I have worked together well in the past and it wasn’t hard to see that he was the perfect match. We really appreciate his multi-cultural view of surfing, years of experience and his organizational skill” Glenn Brumage, Director, Wabsono Int.
“Last year experiencing the Red Bull Qiantang River Shoot Out for the first time was a highlight of my year and I’m so stoked to be taking the reins for Glenn in 2014 for this year’s version “The Battle of Surf Cities”. Peter “PT” Townend, The ActivEmpire(ATE)
Video of the 2013 event can be found at, https://youtu.be/USaRpCoSdq4
More about the contest
The Red Bull Qiantang Shootout is the first of its kind surf contest that pits teams of surfers against each other for a $28,000 purse, on the most unusual wave in the world. It presents numerous challenges as the Qiantang wave is unusual in its size (recorded at 9m), its variety of workable faces and its path through the middle of the city of Hangzhou.” It is a unique venue that brings with it Chinese mainstream media that wouldn’t normally cover surfing or for that matter any “Action Sports”.
More on Peter Townend
The first World Champion of Professional Surfing(1976) has held numerous industry positions in a thirty year career in action sports, including a ten year term as Advertising Director/Associate Publisher of Surfing, Bodyboarding and Volleyball magazines, eight years as the Marketing Director of Rusty and as Publisher of Primedia’s Surfing Group and Marketing and Events Director for the Primedia Action Sports Group(ASG) division in the early 2000’s. In 2003 he launched The ActivEmpire(ATE) a multi-service, strategic consultancy company specializing in the surf/action sports community. Has also served as President of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association(SIMA ’88-89) and served as President of Surfing America(’97-04) which he founded, the SIMA funded non-profit organization that is the National Governing Body(NGB) as recognized by the International Surfing Association(ISA). Townend currently serves on the Surfing Walk of Fame(SWOF) Board of Directors, the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum(HBISM) Board of Directors as Co-Chairman, The Huntington Beach Visitors Bureau(VHB) Board of Directors, the USA SkateBoarding Board of Directors and also serves on SIMA’s Senior Advisory Board and San Diego Sports Innovators(SDSI) Advisory Board.
More on Wabsono International “China’s Action Sports Solution”
Wabsono International has become a leader in the development of Action Sports participation and lifestyle in China. Wabsono currently specializes in Licensing, Marketing, Manufacturing and Distribution of the lifestyle and related products of Skateboarding, Surfing and Wintersports. Having a strong position in the industry, Wabsono is capable of spending the necessary time and effort to build brands while building the lifestyle in China. Wabsono owns and operates the Red Bull Qiantang Shoot Out and the Dragon Sk8 series. Wabsono is committed to increasing the popularity of the “Boardsports” lifestyle in China
