The SIMA Environmental Fund raised more than $50,000 at the fifth annual Waterman’s Weekend Underwriting Party on Friday, June 5. More than 100 surf industry executives and friends attended the underwriting party, held at the oceanfront Cyprus Shore Community Park. The money raised from the evening will help underwrite the costs for the upcoming 2009 Waterman’s Weekend to be held August 6-7, which will benefit 18 ocean-related environmental organizations.

“The SIMA Environmental Fund is excited to be going into our 20th year for Waterman’s Ball,” said Paul Naudé, SIMA Environmental Fund president. “This year’s economic climate has presented many challenges, but through a combined industry effort we are determined to maintain our support of 18 proven ocean-related environmental organizations, and look forward to achieving our fundraising goal of more than $400,000 raised at Waterman’s Weekend this year. The success of this Underwriting Party was a tremendous step toward meeting this goal. We know the very deserving event beneficiaries much appreciate the support of all the event underwriters.”

Throughout the night, guests tasted gourmet appetizers from San Clemente’s own Vine restaurant, and an array of drinks, with island lager donated by Primo Beer. Attendees mingled amongst blue-linen tables decorated with orchids and acoustic musician Rachel McGoye provided relaxing music as the sun set on the ocean. Many guests took advantage of the raffle tickets available, with a trip to the North Shore of Hawaii, tickets for the 2009-2010 Lakers vs. Magic grudge match, and a Stand Up Paddle Board plus Ritz-Carlton Spa package as the prizes. Raffle tickets can be purchased at http://www.sima.com/watermans.aspx. Guests were also given the opportunity to underwrite several components for the upcoming Waterman’s Ball. Centerpieces, wine, cocktails, D.J., VIP Reception, and more were all generously underwritten.

“We are proud to see the significance of Waterman’s Weekend continue to grow in ocean-related environmental circles,” said Naudé. “The surf industry and the surfing lifestyle’s very survival depends upon a healthy ocean and preservation of surf breaks. Surfers automatically become stewards of the ocean, as every time they paddle out they are engrossed in the environment around them. Surfers realize the work our beneficiaries are doing greatly affects our surf lifestyles, and in turn, we are glad the SIMA Environmental Fund serves as an avenue for surfers to support these groups.”

The Waterman’s Weekend begins Thursday, August 6, with the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament at the Monarch Beach Golf Links, and culminates on Friday, August 7, with the 20th Annual Waterman’s Ball and Auction. SIMA is excited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Waterman’s Ball by returning the event to the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Calif. This year’s honorees include Waterman of the Year Rob Machado, Environmentalist of the Year Dave Rastovich, and Lifetime Achievement Award for the late Dick Baker.

Waterman’s Weekend Underwriting Party event photos are now available upon request from Mandy Johnson, SIMA Communications Coordinator, by calling 949. 366.1164 x 7 or by e-mailing mandy@sima.com. Individual tickets for the Waterman’s Ball are scheduled to go on sale in July. For more information about the Waterman’s Weekend, visit http://www.sima.com/watermans.aspx.

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 19 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $5 million for the environmental groups seeking for protect the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in 2006 to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. Please visit www.sima.com for more information.

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Rip Curl presents Coca-Cola Saquarema Pro

ASP 6 Star WQS Mens event
Itauna, Saquarema Brazil
14 – 19 July 2009

6 Star Rip Curl presents Coca-Cola Saquarema Pro launches in July

Saquarema is back on the sports scene in 2009 with the Rip Curl presents Coca-Cola Saquarema Pro 2009. From July 14th to 19th, the ‘surf´s Maracana’ will be the stage for a 6 Star stop on the WQS. The event will be held at Itauna Beach.

The best athletes of the world will compete for U$ 145.000 in prizes, besides of 2.500 points in the ranking. Among the 196 athletes registered for the competition, are Brazilian Raoni Monteiro and Pedro Henrique, both local surfers, Bruno Santos and Marco Polo Soares, besides of Simao Romao, winner of the last stop in Rio de Janeiro, realized in October of 2008, at Arpoador…

Also, Jadson Andre, best Brazilian surfer in the access division’s ranking, moreover some international stars as the Australian Owen Wright, ranked third in the WQS and the surfer who eliminated no less than Kelly Slater at Bell Beach, the Hawaiian Dusty Payne, American Cory Lopez, a former top WCT, Nate Yeomans, Eric Geiselman, and the Gudauskas brothers (Dane, Patrick and Tanner), among others.

Rio presents Coca-Cola Saquarema Pro 2009 is supported by Rio’s State Government, Saquarema’s City Hall, Unimed Araruama, Saquarema’s Surf Association and Rio de Janeiro’s Surf Federation – FESERJ.

“It is a pride for everybody involved in the project organizing this event in Saquarema. It is a city with a strong relation with surf and internationally known for the quality of its waves and for the several athletes formed. We are sure about good waves and high level competition”, says Sergio Lindemman, from Adding Sports, responsible by surf’s return to Saquarema, who wants to keep the event in the international calendar.

“It is a serious event, pretty important for our State, and our goal it is to keep, at least for the next years, the event in the international surf’s schedule”, added.

Felipe Silveira, Rip Curl’s president in Brazil, talks about his expectations about the event: “We are very proud by being involved in such a big event, in a place with great waves, that was, inclusively, stage for a WCT stop. Itauna Beach receives huge waving in this period of the year, presenting one of the best “beach breaks” of Brazil and that is why we expect a surf show for this event”.

Besides of the sports’ programming, the organization will also promote extra activities to entertain the public, including the event’s party that will happen at Saturday’s night, with a great star’s show to be confirmed.

Kewalo Basin was firing on all cylinders all day, surf banging in the 3 to 6 foot range.  The best Junior surfers took on the strong currents, grinding perfect barrels and the more than occasional close outs to put on one of the best shows ever. It was a display of high preformance surfing all the way as perfect conditions prevailed all day.  Maui’s Albee Layer, who turns 18 tomorrow the 9th, laid it down heavy in the man on man final heat against Kauai’s Kaimana Jaquias to win the prestigious contest. Consistent radical turns and a 10 point tube ride sealed the deal. “The ten point ride I had priority for and it was too perfect to blow it”, said Layer. “The final was nice cause I don’t get to surf heats that long a lot. It got a little less consistent but I got lucky and got a couple good ones in the beginning and calmed down. The money helps to stay on a roll.” Layer won much needed points for his campaign towards making the ASP World Jr.Championship invite list and a cool $2,000.00.

Kauai’s Kaimana Jaquias gave it his best shot, just falling short in the final.

“The strategy was to keep him from getting the good ones but he found the great one”, explained Jaquias. ” The current was strong and it was tiring. The man on man format was new to me but this is the closet you get to the pros, this was important.” Jaquias won $900.00 for his efforts.

Stand outs included Granger Larsen, Maui and Billy Kemper, Maui who were equal 3rd overall, winning $550.00.

Quarter man on man results: Heat 1) Kaimana Jaquias 1st, Kaito Kino 2nd Q2) Billy Kemper 1st, Matt Meola 2nd, Q3) Granger Larson 1st, Kekoa Cazimero (injured) 2nd, Q4) Albee Layer 1st, Tanner Hendrickson 2nd, $250.00. Kekoa Cazimero suffered a muscle injury and did not surf the quarter round.

For full heat sheets email Faith at asphi@hawaii.rr.com.

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