Surfwear label leads industry backlash as British Airways bans travel with surfboards.
Headworx, one of the biggest names in surf apparel has today pledged a company-wide boycott of all British Airways flights in protest at the airline’s ban on carrying surfboards, which starts next week.
Headworx Limited, which owns the global trademark for the 1976-established surf lifestyle brand, sponsors some of the biggest names in British surfing and has pledged full support for the British Surfing Association in its campaign to reverse BA’s decision.
Headworx is now co-operating with the BSA in co-ordinating a range of activities to highlight the issue in the media and to give surfers a platform to air their concerns.
Marketing Manager Ben Byfield said “Headworx, its employees, its sponsored riders and many of our customers have used BA as a favoured airline for domestic and international travel for many years due to their baggage policy. We are very disappointed that surfers have been singled out with this ban and are now fearful for the wider impacts on the surf industry.”
With BA controlling a large share of the Star Alliance airline network, the impact of this decision could be felt more widely than expected, and may soon affect anyone travelling on a non-direct flight with one or more segments operated by BA.
“This is a huge problem,” commented Headworx-sponsored professional surfer Reubin Pearce. “To travel with my boards is essential for me to train and to compete on the ASP world tour. BA are one of the biggest global airlines and all of the UK-based professionals fly regularly with them when travelling within Europe, and further afield. There are few alternative options to many remote UK destinations and we must always arrive with our equipment as it is highly specialised. Surfing is a fast-growing sport, BA should think again before cutting off surfers like this.”
In an official statement released via the brand’s website, the UK-based surfwear company said “Headworx will now actively boycott and advise against all travel with BA whilst urging them to urgently review their decision.”
Headworx is now encouraging all surfers and travellers to sign The British Surfing Association’s online petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-ba-surfboard-ban.html and to complain to BA at http://www.britishairways.com/travel/custrelform/public/en_gb




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Caption: “Headworx-sponsored pro surfer Reubin Pearce and his favourite JP surfboard - on tour together in Barbados.”
Image: Kirstin Prisk

About Headworx:
Headworx is the Riders Choice surf brand, founded at Burleigh Heads Australia in 1976 by Murray Bourton and Keith Halford. Now in their 31st year, Headworx are sponsors of the England Surf Team, numerous surf events and a team of UK riders. Headworx produce high quality surf and lifestyle activewear including teeshirts, hoodies, walkshorts, backpacks and our legendary boardshorts. Headworx is available to buy from a network of local surf shops and High Street stores or online. Full stockist information is available at www.headworx.com.
Press enquiries:
Headworx - Ben Byfield, benb@headworx.com, 01637 854233
Cube PR - Katie Curran, Katie@cubecompany.com, 0207 242 5483

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BSA Post New Petition - Sign Up Now!

British Airways has just announced that as of 6th November this year it will no longer be carrying surfboards on any flights. For the sake of all travelling surfers worldwide, the British Surfing Association strongly objects, and asks for your support.

Log on here http://www.gopetition.com/online/14891.html

Errant Surfing Holidays

Errant Pushes Re-Think On British Airways Surfboard Ban

Managing Director, Chris Thomson, will take time out Wednesday morning for a press conference, which will be aired live on Atlantic FM. Disgusted by the decision to ban surfboards on all British Airways flights, Thomson confirms the need for this ban to be revoked as soon as possible.

Surf tourism is worth millions on a global scale, but more importantly many small towns and villages around the world have grown to support surf tourism, of which they now heavily rely on.

The fact that BA now encourage people to travel (without any extra fee) with Ski, Golf and Tennis equipment, is seen by many as elitist.

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