Surf City's Go-To Gal
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
When there's a big event to stage in Surf City USA chances
are Celeste Hamil is on the scene.
Hamil was the one at the helm when Huntington Beach
celebrated its 100th anniversary with a 100 Years of Surfing and Century of Stoke
extravaganza in 2014 that lasted all summer.
Hamil
was seemingly everywhere – from the beach to the announcer's table with
legendary surfer Peter (PT) Townend calling the surfing action.
It was Hamil, too, overseeing the Epic Big Board Ride
with the World's Largest Surfboard carrying 66 surfers into the Guinness
World Record Book on International Surfing Day (ISD), June 20, 2015.
The board – a whopping 42-feet long – caught a 12-second ride that won't be soon
forgotten...and captured two records – World's largest surfboard and Most
people riding a surfboard!
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel have seen
firsthand what a dynamo Hamil is. Focused and organized, she is like a general
commanding the troops. And, failure is not an option when it comes to
accomplishing her mission.
Asked what it was like to stage the Epic
Big Board Ride, Hamil told SurfWriter Girls, "It was one of my most
memorable days, filled with exhilaration and a few challenges. The end result
was well worth the effort of a year of planning by an international team of builders,
consultants and surf professionals."
Hamil said that she was "totally stoked to participate in a once in a
lifetime experience that will continue to resonate in a meaningful way for the
community, visitors and sponsors for many years to come."
Tony Soriano, Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter Chairperson of the Surfrider
Foundation, says it was great partnering with Hamil on the ISD/Epic Big
Board Ride and said she helped "bring awareness and passion to protect
our playground – the ocean, waves and beaches that provide so much
enjoyment."
A CSU Fullerton graduate with a major in Kinesiology and
Exercise Science, Hamil is an NCAA
and USA Gymnastics Certified Judge with
over 35-years experience. For the past ten years she has been the USA
Gymnastics Floor Manager and Staging Manager for all national televised events.
With strong ties to Huntington Beach, Hamil has helped stage
events ranging from the Surf City USA
Marathon to the City’s popular Taste
of Huntington Beach.
Along with this, Hamil has served as the Marketing Manager
of the Huntington Beach Downtown Business
Improvement District, helping to organize and promote its events and
activities.
So, it's no
wonder that Hamil is always where the action is. Not just as a spectator, but
right in the middle of it. SurfWriter Girls think that Huntington Beach is
lucky to have Hamil on board and are excited to see where she turns up next.
Please post your comment below.
Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny
Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted
material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com
Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites
as long as credit is given.