Annual Surfing for Hope returns Oct. 11-12
–The 8th Annual Surfing for Hope Weekend, including a memorial paddle out, longboard surf contest, vendor fair, dinner, and auction, will raise funds that directly benefit cancer patient resources and care groups throughout San Luis Obispo County.
“Through this annual event, our organizers and participants strive to show how the ocean and the sport of surfing are therapeutic and healing,” said Bob Voglin, a local surfer and cancer survivor. “It also gives the surfing community an opportunity to give back to people in need by sharing what we love.”
All proceeds from Surfing for Hope, with French Hospital serving as the presenting sponsor, will benefit the Surfing for Hope Foundation in San Luis Obispo. In addition to Voglin, the Surfing for Hope Foundation Board includes Karen Allen, Tom Spillane, and Brian Metcalf. Since 2012, the foundation has raised more than $300,000; beneficiaries have included the Pure Stoke Youth Program and several local cancer resources for those currently battling cancer.
“All of us who volunteer see the direct impact of our efforts in the smiling faces of the young families who are simply enjoying themselves at the beach, knowing that they have a supportive team that understands the struggles they are going through in their fight against cancer,” said Spillane.
The 2019 Memorial Paddle Out, honoring Peaches Olsen, is set for Friday Oct. 11 in Avila Beach. Meet on the beach north of the Avila Bay Yacht Club at 4 p.m. The Paddle Out is generously presented by Central Coast Home Health and Hospice.
The schedule of events for Saturday include:
• 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pro-Am Longboard Surf Contest, meet at the Pismo Beach Pier
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cancer Support & Health Fair, Pismo Beach Pier
• 4 p.m. Surf Contest Awards Ceremony, Inn at the Pier Monarch Room
• 5 to 8 p.m. Benefit dinner & auction, Willow Kitchen at Seacrest Hotel, Pismo Beach
• Music from Bear Market Riot, B & The Hive, Cincopate, Lucky Nines, and Surfeza
For more information, including details on the longboard surf contest, see surfingforhope.org. Click on the benefit reception link on the website to purchase dinner tickets; the event is expected to sell out and tickets may not be available at the door. Vendor applications are also available on the website for the Family Fun Fair and Cancer Resource Health Fair. Surfing for Hope Foundation is a California non-profit public benefit corporation.
