Waterman’s Ball

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official trade association of more than 300 surf industry product suppliers working to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing.  Part of their charter is to support oceanic environmental efforts through the SIMA Environmental Fund. They do this to ensure future growth of the sport and understanding of environmental activism.

Thus it makes perfect sense for Surfrider Foundation and SIMA to have a symbiotic relationship.

This all came together this past weekend at their annual Waterman’s Weekend.  The two day event allows the surf industry and friends of the environment to  raise money for key environmental organizations and also to raise awareness within the industry of environmental issues and key players. As in the past, this year’s event included a who’s who of the industry and had a waiting list in the hundreds.

The four person staff at SIMA – Sean, Melinda, Jennifer and Travis – organized another tremendously successful event and this year’s Waterman’s Weekend raised over $400,000 for ten different environmental organizations, including Surfrider Foundation.

 

That’s a photo of Chris Evans right above Andy Irons, both were honorees. The entire honoree list was:

ANDY IRONS - Waterman of the Year
CHRIS EVANS - Environmentalist of the Year
LARRY "FLAME" MOORE  - Lifetime Achievement Award
TERRY McCANN – Special Recognition Award 

The event included a silent auction as well as a dinner/awards gala. Terry McCann, the previous executive director of SIMA, was honored first and was introduced by current SIMA President Dick Baker from Op. Larry “Flame” Moore  was honored next, with a personal introduction given by Nick Carroll. Having Flame there was perhaps the most special part of the evening for all who attended as Larry has been successfully battling brain cancer for more than two years.

 

 

Next up was Chris Evans, the sixth Executive Director in Surfrider Foundation’s 21 year history. Introducing Chris was Paul Naude and George Downing, I’m not sure one could pick more meaningful people in the industry for such a task. Chris gave a stirring speech that highlighted the fact that our oceans, waves and beaches are truly “finite resources” and he pointed back to Surfrider’s 60 chapters that were being honored with the award.

 

Last was Andy Irons. He was introduced by Michael Tomson but really, What can you say about a person who was  the dominant figure in professional surfing throughout 2002, 2003 and 2004? He won the 2002 and 2003 Pipeline Masters, Triple Crown and ASP World Championship – the only surfer ever to win all three titles two years in a row. With another title in 2004 he’s now a 3X World Champion.

Amazing time. Memorable event. Notable cause.

As one of the organizations that benefited from these events we’d like to say THANK YOU to all that made it happen.

Jim Moriarty

Executive Director, Surfrider Foundation