Taipei, Taiwan (February 22, 2012) — Quiksilver, the world’s leading surf wear and boardriding company, is proud to announce the signing of a 3 year contract with 12 year old junior surf champion Rory Macdonald from Taiwan.
Born and raised in Taiwan’s southern town of Kenting, Rory was introduced to surfing by his father at the age of 3. His surfing talent and trilingual language abilities (Mandarin, Taiwanese & English) quickly established him as the grommet to watch on the island. Competing in local contests since the age of 6, he is a well known face around the resort town. “I like surfing in Kenting; the waves are different every time but I still surf it no matter what. It’s all good practice,” Rory said.
Since 2010, Rory has won 8 championships including 4 titles in Junior Short Board and 4 titles in Men’s Short Board divisions; becoming one of the most accomplished young surfers in Taiwan. His recent performances at the 2011 Quiksilver ASC Taitung County International Surf Challenge and the 2012 Riyuewan Open in Hainan, China, also proved his tremendous potential to the international surfing community.
“Having followed Rory’s progress over the last few years it is fantastic to now welcome him to the Quiksilver family. Rory rips and is blessed with a heap of natural talent. There is no doubt that he will be a big part of the surfing future of Taiwan”, said Quiksilver Taiwan’s General Manager Clayton Wholley.
As part of his sponsorship agreement, Rory will travel overseas to numerous international contests this year – the first being the Asian Surfing Championship sanctioned Oakley Pro 2012, to be held at Canggu in Bali this April.
When asked how he felt about joining Quiksilver, Rory said “I’d be stoked to be able to become a pro surfer, and cannot wait to travel and surf around the world…. I want to keep challenging myself and improving.”
Tipi Jabrik, the President Director of the ASC said, “Rory is one of Taiwan’s biggest hopes for the sport, as he’s got both talent and personality, so he will be a great asset for Quiksilver.”
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About Quiksilver:
Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK) is the world’s leading outdoor sports lifestyle company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, snowboards and related products. The company’s apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its boardriding culture and heritage.
The reputation of Quiksilver’s brands is based on outdoor action sports. The company’s Quiksilver, Roxy, DC, Lib Tech and Hawk brands are synonymous with the heritage and culture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding.
The company’s products are sold in over 90 countries in a wide range of distribution, including surf shops, skate shops, snow shops, its proprietary Boardriders Club shops and Quiksilver company-owned retail stores, other specialty stores and select department stores.
Quiksilver’s corporate and Americas’ headquarters are in Huntington Beach, California, while its European headquarters are in St. Jean de Luz, France, and its Asia/Pacific headquarters are in Torquay, Australia.
