This past weekend The US Open graced the shores Surf City Huntington Beach once again with its usual tornado of action sports activities driving people in droves down Main Street and out to the shores of the Pacific. While most retailers are bracing for the onslaught of Xtreme Tourists, SPY partnered with HSS and Jacks Surfboards for “THE SPY PIER BULL SHOWDOWN” to see who the real retail king of HB retail was. This did not come in the form of surf or sales contests, but a “Buck Wild” bull riding competition.
After receiving an informative schooling in the art of selling SPY Sunglasses and some cold filtered courage to boot, shop employees were pitted against one another in the ring. The bull riding ring. With a set up nothing shy of John Travolta’s in the early 80’s hit movie Urban Cowboy, the mechanical bull at Black Bull Chophouse anxiously waited to wreak havoc on these retail juggernauts. A team format was established with two teams of three representing each retailer for a years worth of bragging rights, SPY product, and the opportunity for Main Street immortality.
The bull wasted no time disposing of the Jacks team and despite some brave and comical efforts, “Bodacious” the bull made quick work of them, ejecting one after another in true urban rodeo fashion. HSS really brought the thunder in the form of a 98 pound cowgirl known only as “Erin,” who took a doggie style riding approach that would eventually lead HSS to the title. A true underdog story, Erin brought the thunder and threw down the gauntlet for next year with 24 furious seconds taming the mechanical beast.
Inspired by Erin’s performance, some of the SPY crew got a little creative on the bull, including some reverse cowgirls, tandems, and an appearance from SPY’s own Alana Blanchard that really stole the show. I mean, come on, Alana on a mechanical bull? Some one get this girl a burger! All in all this was one for the ages! Spy would like to thank the entire Jacks crew and HSS for their participation and enthusiasm, as well as the Black Bull Chop House and Nathan Vernes for shooting the event. Until next year, oil your chaps and lick your chops and we hope to see you next year!
