O'Neill Nominated for Five SIMA Awards

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (March 24, 2008)

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association announced Monday that O'Neill has been nominated for five SIMA Image awards including the Psycho 2 for Wetsuit of the Year, the Lopez Freak for Men's Boardshort of the Year, the "In It For Life" Men's Marketing Campaign of the Year, Men's Apparel of the Year, and the Mutant Boot Series for Accessory of the Year.

The Image Awards gives the surf industry the opportunity to recognize fellow surf industry companies for their outstanding contributions to the industry. The goal of the SIMA Image Awards is to identify the surf industry's most influential companies and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry over the past year. As the original wetsuit brand O'Neill has been influencing the surf industry since it's infancy but it is still rewarding for O'Neill to see the brand's efforts recognized. "The product is at the heart of what we were about in the beginning and what we continue to be about today so it is satisfying to see the Psycho 2 and the Lopez Freak be nominated in their product divisions," stated Bert Aramburu, O'Neill Wetsuit Director of Sales and Marketing.

"We've had the highest participation yet in the Image Awards this year," said Dick Baker, president of SIMA. "We're stoked as this speaks to the growing reputation and influence of the awards. This also means that competitiveness was at an all-time high as each category received more entries than ever. As cliché as it sounds, we hope all nominees are stoked as they were selected by their peers from a very competitive group of entries."

For O'Neill the five separate nominations is an honor to the brands continued devotion to product design and the brand evolution that began fifty-five years ago. "We are excited to have received five category nominations. The nominations are directly attributed to our strong teams assembled over the last two years and are representative of the O'Neill brand's momentum in the marketplace," stated Steve Ward, Vice President Marketing of O'Neill Clothing.

More info on oneill.com

O'Neill South Africa opens its FIRST Concept Store in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town South Africa.

5th Wednesday, December 2007

O'Neill South Africa is extremely proud to have launched its first concept store in the V&A Waterfront on Saturday 1st December.

The store boasts the world's best technical wetsuits, such as the Psycho II, The Mutant and The Gooru range, along with its stunning mens and ladies apparel ranges. O'Neill RSA has worked closely with O'Neill International to ensure that this first new South Africa flagship store is unique, yet remains true to the brand's touchstone roots, history and heritage; however at the same time reflects an unparalleled global flare.

The ladies range consists of the latest designs of bikinis and summer exotic tropical printed wovens, technical board shorts, detailed walk shorts, embroidered polos, to caps and rash vests.

The men's range showcases one of the world's top board short technical ranges ever seen in Africa, along with the hottest t-shirt designs and walkshorts.

The store currently provides an extensive boys wear range and girls wear is also planned for 2008.

Chris Bertish, O'Neill South Africa Brand Manager said: "I am proud to be part of so many positive steps forward for the brand this year and I believe that this store will further cement the credibility and exposure of the brand to the South African market, while finally showcasing the strength of the brand through O'Neill's phenomenal wetsuit and apparel ranges. The brand's touchstone roots in surfing, its history and heritage are cornerstones in this new flagship store. We are proud of this and that is what makes O'Neill so special, because like Jack said:"I just wanted to surf longer".

Enquiries: 021 418 1843

Notes for Editors:

O'Neill, the original Californian surf, snow and lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O'Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world's first neoprene wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after.

While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack's initial vision of producing functional and innovative board riding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O'Neill's set of core values - innovation in style and technology - has seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of action sports. From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and surf leash, to the world's first stitchless board shorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O'Neill's spirit of innovation will always drive the company forwards.

Today, O'Neill can be found the world over. In touch with its rich heritage and the universal stoke of board riding culture, O'Neill will always be committed to progressing that evolution and growing its reputation as one of the world's leading youth lifestyle brands.

South African phenom Jordy Smith signs on with O'Neill

O'Neill proudly announces the addition of South African surfer Jordy Smith to their team. At 19 years old, Smith is the reigning Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Junior World Champion and currently leads the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) ratings with an all-time points record exceeding 14,000. O'Neill's signing of Smith pairs him with the original surf brand and solidifies his position as one of surfing's top competitors.

After taking the surfing world by storm in recent years, Smith has thrilled critics by competing successfully against the global surfing elite and racking up some of the most prestigious WQS titles along the way. Following his total domination on the tour this year - including victories on four different continents - the Durban native has already guaranteed himself a spot on the ASP World Tour 2008.

Andreas Adenauer, CEO of the O'Neill Group, is delighted to see Smith joining the team and stated: "We've been following Jordy's progress for a long time, and we're excited to welcome him onboard. Jordy's drive, commitment and determination for the sport have helped him to become one of surfing's most explosive talents. We look forward to supporting Jordy wholeheartedly and can't wait to see what he'll achieve on the ASP World Tour and beyond."

O'Neill's newest team member Smith said: "I'm honored and stoked to join the O'Neill team and I'm excited about all the new opportunities that lie ahead. O'Neill is a company that has a tremendous history, heritage and shares my passion for the sport of surfing. With my family and O'Neill's support, I am able to live my dream of surfing and I'm looking forward to representing the best brand in the surf industry, as I enter into my rookie year on the WCT in 2008."

As the leader of a new generation of young surfers, Smith is already one of the most well rounded surfers on the planet. His complete repertoire of aerials, power carves, and buttery smooth style makes him the most highly anticipated surfer to join the ASP World Tour in over fifteen years. Already World Tour proven following a handful of wild card invitations, Smith finished third at Jeffrey's Bay in 2006 and took down top seeds at the Boost Mobile Pro only last month.

O'Neill South Africa Brand Manager Chris Bertish said: "We've been working hard to get Jordy on board, as it really cements O'Neill's position in the surf market as a serious force to be reckoned with. Boasting top grom prodigy John John Florence and now South African Jordy Smith as the forefront of the new generation of surfing, I feel O'Neill is in a prime position to shake up the surf market, both in South Africa and Internationally.

O'Neill Clothing USA CEO Toby Bost said: "Adding Jordy to the team is a great accomplishment for O'Neill worldwide. He's an incredibly talented surfer that will achieve monumental status on the World Tour in due time. Jordy and O'Neill have clearly found common ground in terms of passion for the sport of surfing and the vision to push it to the next level. O'Neill is honored to take part in staging the future of a young, gifted surfer who is destined for superstar stature."

O'Neill signs South African Junior surfing sensation Nick Godfrey

O'Neill South Africa is proud to announce the signing of Pro Junior phenomenon Nick Godfrey.

At 15 years of age Nick Godfrey is sending shock waves into the surfing world every time he steps into the contest arena, wether it be winning the U16 & U20 divisions of the King of the Groms event or being the highest ranking U16 on the Pro Surf Tour, this young surf star is heading for stardom with out a doubt.

As the reigning U16 Juniors champion in South Africa, Nick Godfrey's surfing shows a maturity which is way beyond his years, with a repertoire of solid, powerful turns fused with all the futuristic signature moves of the worlds best, there is no doubt that he is one of the most feared up and coming surfing talents emerging from South Africa right now.

Nick Godfrey leaves for Australia shortly to compete in numerous Pro Junior events along the Gold Coast over December and January, before returning early next year for possible Springbok selection, to compete in the ISA World Junior championships in France in May 2008.

O'Neill's recent signing of surfing sensation & WQS ratings leader Jordy Smith and now Nicky Godfrey, illustrates to the surfing world that there are presently a great deal of positive and exciting new developments taking place with the brand globally.

O'Neill's newest team member Nick Godfrey said: "I'm excited and stoked to be back on the O'Neill team and I'm looking forward to the opportunities that the brand has presented me for the future. O'Neill is the original surf company and it is great to finally be back with a company that shares my same passion for surfing. It is an honour to be part of such a strong and world class team and I am just amped to get the results and do best for the brand going forward."

O'Neill South Africa Brand & Marketing Manager Chris Bertish said: "With the recent addition of worldwide surfing sensation Jordy Smith and now top Junior phenomenon Nicky Godfrey to Jack's family of top team riders, I think the surf industry is quickly starting to realize that now more than ever O'Neill is causing shockwaves in the surf industry, both in and out of the water and this momentum has only just begun. This is only the beginning!"

Shark Spotters - O'Neill Provides Peace of Mind by Stepping In to Sponsor Cape Shark Spotting Initiative

Friday, May 18, 2007

Following the recent media warnings about an increase in Great White shark activity, the residents of Cape Town have one less thing to worry about now that one of the popular surf brands, O'Neill, has stepped in to sponsor the Shark Spotting Campaign. To celebrate their involvement O'Neill will be holding a launch open to all media on Friday, May 18 at 11h00 at Surfers Corner at Muizenberg Beach in Cape Town.

"O'Neill is proud to be part of this successful project in the Western Cape. It is important for us to be involved in this community project, which is vital to the growth of tourism in Cape Town. It's also crucial for us at O'Neill to put something back into the community. Shark spotting does this by creating jobs, hence aiding in the upliftment of our community and at the same time providing a valuable and necessary service to the public. We are really proud to be associated with the project over the next couple of years and we look forward to developing and evolving the project to greater heights," commented Chris Bertish-O'Neill Brand Manager.

O'Neill has sponsored apparel for the entire Shark Spotting Campaign as well as much needed equipment such as umbrella's and shark flags. They have also made a cash donation in order to maintain the successful running of the project.

O'Neill has come on board making it possible to have about three spotters working in rotation in the Muizenberg, St James, Fish Hoek, Glencairn, Clovelly, Kommetjie and the Hoek area. Most locations have a look-out spotter and a beach-based spotter watching for sharks.

The Shark Spotting Campaign came about as a result of the surge of shark attacks in recent years which have been an ongoing dilemma for the residents of Cape Town. Due to this the members of the False Bay community rallied together to find a solution and formed the Shark Spotting Programme.

Shark spotting creates an increased amount of safety for all beach users as well as provides multiple benefits by creating employment for disadvantaged groups, environmental education and awareness to public, collection of data for research, and capacity and skills development of the shark spotters.

In addition to the shark spotting initiative O'Neill will be putting spotters on the shark research boats to train as assistants. All shark spotters are efficiently equipped with intensive training on how to handle attacks. For safety tips as well as more information on the shark spotter initiative log on to www.sharkspotters.org.za