International
Surfing Day Makes Waves
Sunny
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Since
ancient times people have celebrated Summer Solstice – the first day of summer
and the longest day of the year – with observances recognizing the power and
importance of the sun.
In
their own nod to the sun, surfers around the world kicked off the Summer
Solstice on June 20 this year with a day recognizing the joys of surfing, International Surfing Day.
(Video
courtesy of Tremble Media)
An annual event started in
2005 by Surfing Magazine and the Surfrider Foundation, International
Surfing Day (ISD) was created so that surfers could come together in
celebration of this great sport and to give something back to the oceans and
beaches.
In Huntington Beach
Surfrider’s Huntington/Seal Beach Chapter and Newport Beach Chapter joined
forces to celebrate the day.
Tony Jones, the owner of Coral Reef Wetsuits, pointed out how far surfing has come since George Freeth introduced the sport in Southern California when he surfed at the Huntington Beach Pier in 1914 and started the first lifeguard association.
So, as the 5th Dimension sang in their chart-busting 1960s hit, “Let the Sun Shine!”
The Surfrider Global team – Laura
Lee, Alexis Henry, Ian Swanson and Kyle Lishok – was on hand, too, lending
support and signing up new members.
The community was invited to
come and join in paddle-outs, yoga, beach cleanups...
and enjoy the music of
Tommy Clay.
Surf industry leaders and
sponsors set up pop-up tents on the sand.
Tony Soriano, Surfrider’s
H/SB Chapter Chairperson, was everywhere – setting up tents, organizing beach
cleanups, working with U.S. Open of Surfing announcer Rockin' Fig, and making sure that everyone had a good time.
The Shorebreak Hotel joined
in the festivities, as well, with refreshments at its Zimzala restaurant.
Alexis Henry and Pro surfer Alex Gray, who represents
Volcom, Channel Islands, and Body Glove, greeted everyone.
Started
with just a handful of local observances in the United States, ISD has
expanded to more than 200 events in 30 countries worldwide.
More
than just a day for fun, ISD helps to clean up our environment. Alex and Norma
Sellers, co-chairs of Surfrider’s Huntington Beach Butts Out campaign, were especially glad to see all the cigarette
butts being removed from the beach.
“Part of the
beauty of International Surfing Day is that people everywhere can celebrate and
give back,” said Surfrider Foundation Global Director of Marketing &
Communications Laura Lee. “Whether that’s paddling out for the very first time,
sneaking in a quick session with friends or picking up trash at your local
beach, ISD is as big as you make it.”
Tony Jones, the owner of Coral Reef Wetsuits, pointed out how far surfing has come since George Freeth introduced the sport in Southern California when he surfed at the Huntington Beach Pier in 1914 and started the first lifeguard association.
Surfing
has grown to a billion-dollar industry and become part of the world’s culture
with surfing images, expressions, music, fashion and art integrated into the
daily lives of surfers and non-surfers alike.
SurfWriter
Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel agree that surfing is definitely a sport to
celebrate – on its own special day…or any day.
So, as the 5th Dimension sang in their chart-busting 1960s hit, “Let the Sun Shine!”
The
Summer Solstice surfing party is just getting started!
looking forward to this years event
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