The 12 metre bus is adorned with Billabong seasonal "Rising sun" artwork, in reference to current season big hit boardshort designed for and with Andy Irons, 3 times world surfing champ.
Its ultra modern interior has a full retro rock 'n' roll touch, with black leather seating, chrome finishing and equipped with the latest in hi-tech gear: wireless, LG plasma screens, Bose sound system, mini editing suite and a GPS to track the bus on the web.
Billabong Brand manager Reid Pinder comments "We are really happy to launch the Billabong bus here in Europe. The project had been on the cards for some time and actually a great success in Australia and America. It opens up to fantastic grass root promos such as being at the most important events this summer and also for our riders to meet with the public"
The Billabong bus will be launched in conjunction with the re-opening of Billabong Europe's flagship store in Hossegor, on May 19th, then will hit the road to some of the best music festivals in England, Germany and Belgium where Donavon Frankenreiter will be playing;
In July and August, the bus will be the official tour vehicle for the European leg of the Billabong Jack McCoy surf film festival, featuring Billabong's latest surf movie 'Free as a dog' starring Joel Parkinson and his dog Trey. The festival kicks off in Seignosse, France at the Salle des Spectacles and will be screening at no less than 18 cinemas across France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland and UK.
Just some of the Billabong celebrities to look out for on the bus this summer are Joel Parkinson, 3 x World surfing champ Andy Irons, Taj Burrow, musician and surfer Donavon Frankenreiter. Watch out for the bus around Europe this summer, you never know who you might see!
Billabong venues around Europe where you can catch the Billabong bus
May 2006 - Official re-opening of a new, two-storey Billabong store, Hossegor town centre.
June 2006 - Donavon Frankenreiter European tour, UK and Germany
July 2006 - Billabong Jack McCoy surf film festival, Free as a dog, 24th July, Seignosse, Salle des Spectacles.
July 2006 - Donavon Frankenreiter European tour, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Austria
July 2006 - Girls days, 13th-16th July, Ericeira, Portugal
July 2006 - FISE wakeboard contest, 16th -18th, Montpellier, France
July 2006 - 23rd , competition des Tetards Jo Moraïz, Biarritz, France. Junior surf contest.
August 2006 - Billabong Jack McCoy surf film festival, Free as a dog, European tour, log onto www.billabong.com for the dates in your town
August 2006 - 25th -27th - Pro Junior, Ericeira, Portugal
August 2006 - 29th - 31st Boundi 5 star surf contest, Ericeira, Portugal
September 2006 - 1st - 3rd Boundi 5 star surf contest, Ericeira, Portugal
October 2006 - Billabong Pro Mundaka, 2/3 - 14th October. Back on the WCT calendar this year.
October 2006 - 22nd - 24th Le Mondial du snow, Les 2 Alpes.
October 2006 - 24th - 30th Le Mondial du snow, Austria
March 2007 - Billabong World Junior Pro Les 2 Alpes, France
www.billabong.com