Inside EuroSIMA: Podcast of Reid Pinder

Episode #17
Guest : Reid Pinder (Billabong Europe, Sunday Collab, ALT MLK)
They say travel shapes one’s youth, but it can also shape one’s destiny and Reid Pinder is the perfect example of that.
In the late 80’s, Europe was supposed to be no more than a passing trip in the life of a certain young Australian surferfrom the Sunshine Coast. That was until a serendipitous encounter with Derek O’Neill on a ferry changed everything.
Derek was getting ready to launch Billabong Europe, given the potential of the budding surfing industry on the Old Continent, and he invited Reid to join the adventure. Having arrived in Hossegor in the snowy winter of 1991, Reid had
a hard time believing an Australian surfwear brand could make it there...but that would come to change.
Nearly 30 years later, 20 of which were spent at the head of Billabong Europe, Reid took the time to dive into the past with us: from the very beginnings and how the company was built, to the healthy competitive spirit of the time, to
managing the frantic growth of Billabong but also everything about handling teams and events, he covers it all. He also took the time to discuss the group’s ambitious acquisitions strategy, the development of the snow range as well as
the women’s division.
The second chapter of his career is just as interesting. Reid tells us about is current adventures in entrepreneurship with Sunday Collab and Alt Mlk, two successful businesses that have blossomed thanksto hisflair, hissense of business but also his natural ability to surround himself with the right people in markets that are both so far away from the surfing industry, and yet so close as well.
This new episode draws the portrait of a key player in the European surfing industry, who has contributed to laying the foundations of our industry from Hossegor to Mundaka, including Ericeira.
An instructive, inspiring and fascinating episode.
Enjoy the ride.
Editorial production: EUROSIMA
Animation: Romain Ferrand / Rémi Chaussemiche
Technical production: Fred de Bailliencourt
Photos: Stéphane Robin