A sold-out crowd of more than 400 surf industry executives, surf stars, and VIPs gathered together on Saturday, September 17, at Liquid Nation Ball 8, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) Humanitarian Fund’s annual fundraiser. Over the past eight years, the SIMA Humanitarian Fund has raised more than $1.58 million dollars for global medical relief, urban youth outreach, injury prevention and assistance, and health education and awareness. The event honored Shaney jo Darden, Co-founder and CEO of Keep A Breast, as the 2011 SIMA Humanitarian of the Year, as well as raised a net amount of more than $128,000 which will all go directly to 13 very deserving surf-related humanitarian organizations.

“The event was a total success,” said Fernando Aguerre, Liquid Nation Ball co-founder and host. “Tickets were sold out a couple days before the event. Shaney jo was so happy and excited, it was contagious. I just love her and her full time passion and energy. As it normally happens, having almost 500 people together for a good cause leaves a lot of good vibes behind. I’m blessed with so much support from guests from all walks of life. It fills my heart to see how people continue to care about coming together for a better world. Thanks to everybody that attended and donated time and items for the auction. As my grandma Lucia used to tell me, giving is the only way to a full life.”

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photo via transworld

LOWER TRESTLES, California/USA – Kelly Slater (USA), 39, has won his fifth Hurley Pro at Trestles title, defeating Owen Wright (AUS), 21, in a hard-fought Final that saw the iconic Floridian overtake the young Australian in a last-minute exchange with a final score of 17.50 to 16.74.

Slater and Wright’s third consecutive Final bout marks a first in ASP history, as no two competitors have faced off in three successive ASP Dream Tour Finals – a noteworthy statistic in sparking this new rivalry in the battle for the ASP World Title.

Slater roared to life on the Final day, unloading the highest heat-total of competition, 18.40 out of 20 in the Semifinals, and maintained his lethal form throughout the day’s entirety with a consistent display of new-school airs and patented carves to clinch his unprecedented 48th elite ASP World Tour victory and third of the season.

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Channel Islands hosted its Back To School night Saturday, September 17, at the Burton and CI Los Angeles Flagship store on Melrose, with a steady stream of industry enthusiasts milling through its gigantic two story space. Lines formed near the center of the 11,500-square-foot store as excited groms and adults alike waited for their chance to meet Kelly Slater and get their board, T-shirts and other memorabilia signed by the 10-time world champion. Dane Reynolds, Rob Machado and Taylor Knox were also on hand, throwing high fives and listening to the laid back music of well-known Santa Barbara garage reggae band Iration, who took to the roof top deck to entertain party goers as the night rolled on.

read more at transworld