Some good, mostly bad, and a whole lot of ugly best describes the sentiments of many of core retailers when prodded for their reflections of 2009. It should come to no surprise that this past year will most likely go down as one of the worst in retail history. In fact, a handful of shop owners expressed astonishment that they were able to hang on at all. But for all the suckiness ‘09 dished out, its ironic optimism was not lost on our friends, as most recognized that it can only get better from here. So we dared asked the question—as cliche as it is—what are your goals for 2010?

“To build our business and brand not only by expanding, but through new relationship and opportunities that await us down the street. At our store front the possibilities for  Ocean Beach Surf and Skate are endless.” — Ocean Beach Surf & Skate

“Every year our goal is to provide the best customer service, offer a product mix that meets the needs of our local surf community, and get more people involved with the sport of surfing.” – Surf & Adventure

“To stay in business (ha ha). No seriously ~ we found our recipe this year and will be duplicating that with more focus directed on hardgoods.” — Freedom Surf Shop

“My goals for 2010 are pretty simple: to survive! Let’s face it, being a retailer these days is not all that much fun when you start to compare year over year. I believe, for me at least, that there has been a bit of a paradigm shift when it comes to consumer behavior pertaining to intellect and price awareness. Things just don’t fly off the shelf like they did ‘05 through ‘07, and probably won’t again for a very long time—if ever. I merely want to be relevant and continue to keep my customers and vendors happy so that I’ll be in a position to really capitalize when there truly is a defined turnaround in consumer behavior.” —  Anacapa Surf ‘N Sport

“We here at SCS are planning for a flat spring, a better summer, and business as usual by the fall supporting our key vendors with proper sales planning and the appropriate communication to get thru the last of these tight economic times.” — Surf City Surf

Infinity Surfboards is amped to show off their latest vid, featuring Geoff Brack. From the looks of it we can see why. Also, be on the lookout for a major Infinity shoutout in the Jan. 2010 of Surfing Magazine.

Ocean Beach Surf & Skate would like to give thanks to all their loyal fans this Thanksgiving with a gut-buster of an event. Gobble up great savings and grub at the OBSS Turkey Bowl and Parking Lot Sale on Sunday, November 29, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. This surf and skate expo will feature exclusive sale booths from various Ocean Beach Surf & Skate vendors, as well as great grub grilled to perfection by OB locals. Festival goers will also groove to great tunes from San Diego artists such as the incredibly talented and young, Blonde Bros, the surf reggae band, FieldTrip, and many more! But that’s not all: OBSS will also have a full ramp set-up and open skate sessions through out the day. Black Friday doesn’t have anything on this blow-out parking lot sale!

Ocean Beach Surf & Skate

4881 Newport Avenue

San Diego, CA 92107

(619) 224-0674

Lately, everyone has been hitting us hard and heavy with their videos. Keep ‘em coming, we say. The two clips featured above come courtesy of Infinity Surfboards in Dana Point alumni. The first spotlights legendary shaper Terry Senate explaining his design theories of his famed thruster, the  Hook Rail, circa 1980. For a limited time Infinity is again offering this design, using the original template and shaped by the man himself!

The second clip showcases Infinity shaper Dan Boehne charging hard on one of his own designs.

The crew at Chemistry aren’t afraid to admit they like it raw. So raw in fact they shun the typical editing routine and instead prefer a background of beats. The music is by Chromeo, the maddess is by teamriders Chris Abad, Will Smith, Wally Puha, Scotty Hammonds and Mike Losness, the sets are compliments of Bucaneers in O’side.

You can run, but you can’t hide. All of Florida is preparing for the fight of their lives as the biggest, hairiest, most audacious event is preparing to touch down Friday, October 23. Of course we’re talking about none other than Island Water Sport’s colossal Midnight Madness super sale. For the past 20 years, IWS has been hosting this raucous block party and festival, complete with bands, ramps, pros (hopefully some hoes), food fights, fist fights, and mass amounts of debauchery. (Okay, so we’re just wishfully thinking about the loose ladies and violence, but you know, it could happen.) We should also stress that a major portion of the sale’s proceeds will be generously donated to IWS’ new community outreach program that seeks to provide food and shelter to under developed African nations. So come early and stay late, but just remember: if you’re not wasted, the day is.

 Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. Not only is Stokaboka killing in on the East Coast, they’re just plain killing. Masters of marketing and now the masters of deception, they’re setting the bar for social media hi-jinks to an almost unattainable level. Full bleed magazine ads, big Google banners, ten million Facebook friends–who needs them when you’ve got a digi cam and a sick imagination? Hmmmm… Now you’ve got us thinking Stokaboka. Maybe Swell should host a core shops commercial contest, with the winner taking home a huge cash prize and bragging rights as the corest of the core. We’ll get back to you on that. For now, sit back and enjoy the fright fest served up NJ style.

As part of their popular Surf On The Silver Screen Series, Ocean Beach Surf & Skatewill be premiering the epic ”One California Day” this evening at the Pearl Hotel, located at 1400 Rosecrans Street in Point Loma. A massive raffle, fine burgers and tasty brew will also be on hand, making for a killer date night or a perfect way to blow off steam after a craptastic day at the office. The Silver Screen Series will continue during the last Tuesday of every month until they run out of films or people stop showing up—neither of which appear to be happening anytime soon. For more information, log on to OBS&S website.

Check out Chris Abad, Jason Bennett and Will Smith in Chemistry’s latest and greatest. Product testing at its finest!