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“For the surf industry, last weekend was prom.”
For the fourth year in a row, we were pleased to attend the Waterman’s Ball, the surf industry’s annual environmental fundraising event, hosted by SIMA:
“Do what you love and help along the way,” a statement from Special Recognition Award recipient Jon Rose, was an overarching theme of this year’s Waterman’s Weekend as the surf industry gathered to raise money for the SIMA Environmental Fund grant beneficiaries.
“All of the money raised tonight goes to lead SIMA’s ongoing effort to protect beaches and oceans, efforts that have contributed millions of dollars to critical protection of our most cherished resource,” SIMA President Doug Palladini said as he reminded attendees why the Waterman’s Ball is so important to the world of surfing.
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| Paso Pacífico’s representatives: Kate, Wendy & Teresa |
The event is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a night to honor those who have contributed the most to both the sport of surfing and to ocean conservation efforts. Working with SIMA and the International Surfing Association the past few years, we are pleased to be included in this tribe of ocean lovers dedicated to protecting their playground.
ESPN’s Jake Howard gives us a rundown of the night’s honorees and says of Waterman of the Year, Fernando Aguerre: “one of Aguerre’s great talents is his ability to make one feel at ease, like an old friend.” We agree with Jake. If you haven’t already seen it, take a few minutes to watch the video of Fernando with our junior park rangers at the ISA World Juniors in June.
TransWorld Business reports that “by the time the live and silent auctions were over more than $400,000 was donated to a variety of ocean-related charities.”
Thanks to Nicaragua’s own CHICABRAVA for donating a week-long surf camp and Eco-Surf Adventure, and thanks to the members of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) and the SIMA Environmental Fund for supporting ocean conservation efforts around the world.
Read more about our Surf Ambassadors program and our ocean conservation efforts on our website and here on our blog.
For more photos from the event, check out the Waterman’s Ball slideshows at Shop-Eat-Surf.com and Surfline. The photos you see here are courtesy of Teresa Lang (and a nice woman who snapped our group shot).