Surfrider Foundation, MAKING WAVES, August 2004

MAKING WAVES, August 2004 issue: Table of Contents

Left: Sports Illustrated Cover Girl Marisa Miller, Photo: Guastrella/Wire Image Right: Jack Johnson treats guests to a surprise set. Photo: Duron

by Chelsea Murphy

By all accounts, it was a night to remember as past and present Surfrider Foundation members, along with various Hollywood celebrities, musicians and a host of surfing luminaries, gathered to celebrate the Surfrider Foundation's 20th Anniversary Gala at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.

The event kicked off in grand fashion, as a variety of celebrity guests from both the surf and entertainment industry filed in on the blue carpet. Notable attendees included actress Kelly Hu, model Marisa Miller, actors Colin Hanks and Galen Gering, musicians Jack Johnson and Perry Farrell, Olympic medalist Karch Kiraly, pro surfers Rob Machado, Brad Gerlach, Keith Malloy, Megan Abubo, Veronica Kay and Holly Beck.

Guests wandered casually up the Main Street corridor of Sony Picture Studios, gathering in small groups to chat under a beautiful Southern California evening sky.

First up on the evening's agenda was the Surfrider Foundation's 20th Anniversary surfboard auction. For nearly a year, the event organizing committee worked to collect over two dozen boards from some of the most influential shapers throughout the history of surfing. As a result, a sold-out crowd packed the auction room to bid on one-of-a-kind shapes from such luminary craftsmen as Greg Noll, Dale Velzy, Hobie Alter, Gerry Lopez, Bill Barnfield, Terry Fitzgerald and others.

After a brief welcoming by auction host and Surfrider Foundation Advisory Board Chairman Shaun Tomson, Sotheby's auctioneer Hugh Hildesley stepped up to the podium and began the auction.

By all accounts, it was a night to remember as past and present Surfrider Foundation members, along with various Hollywood celebrities, musicians and a host of surfing luminaries, gathered to celebrate the Surfrider Foundation's 20th Anniversary Gala at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California.

The event kicked off in grand fashion, as a variety of celebrity guests from both the surf and entertainment industry filed in on the blue carpet. Notable attendees included actress Kelly Hu, model Marisa Miller, actors Colin Hanks and Galen Gering, musicians Jack Johnson and Perry Farrell, Olympic medalist Karch Kiraly, pro surfers Rob Machado, Brad Gerlach, Keith Malloy, Megan Abubo, Veronica Kay and Holly Beck.

Guests wandered casually up the Main Street corridor of Sony Picture Studios, gathering in small groups to chat under a beautiful Southern California evening sky.

First up on the evening's agenda was the Surfrider Foundation's 20th Anniversary surfboard auction. For nearly a year, the event organizing committee worked to collect over two dozen boards from some of the most influential shapers throughout the history of surfing. As a result, a sold-out crowd packed the auction room to bid on one-of-a-kind shapes from such luminary craftsmen as Greg Noll, Dale Velzy, Hobie Alter, Gerry Lopez, Bill Barnfield, Terry Fitzgerald and others.

After a brief welcoming by auction host and Surfrider Foundation Advisory Board Chairman Shaun Tomson, Sotheby's auctioneer Hugh Hildesley stepped up to the podium and began the auction.

One by one, Hildesley sold off the boards, with the crowd's applause becoming more fervent with each hit of the gavel. Amidst a host of hoots and catcalls, the auction culminated with a record bid of $45,000 for a balsa gun created by famed shaper and Malibu icon Matt Kivlin. All told, the auction brought in just over $235,000.

(L to R): Rob Machado, Perry Farrell, Jack Johnson; photo by Guastella/Wire Image

Meanwhile, the rest of the nearly one thousand guests packed in toward the end of Sony Studios Main Street area to watch former Porno For Pyros guitarist Peter DiStefano perform. DiStefano played several songs before being joined on stage by friend and fellow bandmate Perry Farrell.

Moved by the moment, guest Jack Johnson borrowed a guitar and hopped on-stage for an impromptu set, which included a cover of Jimmy Buffet's "A Pirate Looks at 40."

(L to R): Unknown, Shaun Tomson, Ken Bradshaw, Ron House, Matt Kivlin, Dale Velzy; photo by Guastella/Wire Image

The festivities then shifted gears as Director of Marketing, Matt McClain took over the mic to introduce the world premier of the Surfrider Foundation's long awaited Crispin Porter + Bogusky-produced public service announcement. The spot, which features a father and daughter's ironic trip to the beach, was warmly received.

(L to R) Shaun Tomson, Gregory Harrison; photo by Guastella/Wire Image

The highlight of the evening came when musicians and long-time Surfrider Foundation supporters Perry Farrell and Jack Johnson were presented with the organization's first-ever Keeper of the Coast Award, which honors celebrities and other high-profile individuals who have made significant contributions in helping the Foundation achieve its mission.

Farrell, who received the honor first, was jubilant. "We're the people who are in the water everyday," he exclaimed. "We're the people who make a difference."

A standing-room only crowd awaits the start of the auction; photo by Duron