Below you will find helpful and relevant articles that we carefully curate for the benefit of our B.R.A. Retail Members almost every day. Be sure to scroll through the most recent article or use the Search/Lookup feature to find topics and keywords related to articles that may help you to lower costs, increase margins or create more remarkable customer experiences.

“RIP Kevin Wilkins: Thank You for Everything (1967-2025)” by Brian Blakely via Transworld Skateboarding Magazine

by admin | Nov 11, 2025 | Industry, Legends, News, Rest In Peace

Copenhagen 2015 | Photo: Blair Alley Kevin Wilkins wasn’t just a voice in skateboarding—he was a backbone, a mentor, and a friend to so many. This one hurts. RIP to one of the realest. The world lost a good one yesterday, November 4, 2025. Kevin Wilkins was one of the...

“Rest in Peace, Patti McGee: A True Skateboarding Icon (1945-2024)” by Brian Blakely via Transworld Skateboarding plus Skateboarding Hall of Fame archive chronicling the life and impact of this tremendous skateboarding legend

by admin | Oct 20, 2024 | Community, Legends, News, Rest In Peace, Skateboard, Surf

The skateboarding world is heartbroken by the news of legendary Patti McGee’s passing on October 17, 2024. An icon, an innovator, a skateboarder, and a straight-up badass, Patti’s influence on skateboarding will live on forever.  All of skateboarding felt...

“RIP: Big Surf, America’s First Wavepool – Iconic Arizona Artificial Surf Spot to be Demolished” by Dashel Pierson via Surfer Mag

by admin | Oct 8, 2023 | Community, News, Rest In Peace, Surf

“Big Surf, the first American wavepool used for surfing was built in Tempe, Arizona, funded by hair-coloring giant Clairol, opened in 1969 and cost $2 million. The pool measured 300′ by 400′, and was set in a 20-acre Polynesian-themed complex located in...

“Pro Surfer Mikala Jones Has Died After a Surf Injury in Indonesia” by Dashel Pierson via Surfer Mag

by admin | Jul 9, 2023 | Community, Legends, News, Rest In Peace, Surf

The surf world is mourning following news of a fatal surf injury involving Mikala Jones. Jones was surfing in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, when he suffered an injury that allegedly severed his femoral artery and led to a fatal loss of blood. He was 44 years old....

“Ocean Pacific Apparel Founder Jim Jenks Dies, Helped Birth Modern Surf Industry” by Kari Hamanaka via Shop Eat Surf

by admin | Mar 21, 2023 | Community, Industry, Legends, News, Rest In Peace, Retail History, Surf

Clockwise from top left: Jim Jenks in the Op days; Jim with his last truck; the famous Op corduroy shorts. Photos courtesy of Junior Jenks and the Surfing Walk of Fame. Jim Jenks, the former surf shop worker who turned Ocean Pacific into an industry-defining...

“IN MEMORIAM: THOMAS F. TAYLOR (1966-2023)” by Cullen Poythress via Transworld Skateboarding

by admin | Feb 25, 2023 | Brick & Mortar, Legends, Rest In Peace, Retail History, Skateboard

Thomas in the pages of TWS. Photo: King Thomas with Grant in the backyard bowl. Photo: @jt_lushbag In the light of the great past masters of our kind, none so embodied the spirit of the craft quite like Thomas Taylor. In our lifetime of friendship and hell raising,...