Local event to bring community together
San Clemente is recognizing its surf history and culture with this event. (Event poster)
The city of San Clemente has a long-standing history of surf culture, with famous surf spots and recognized athletes, and this year will be celebrating this reputation with the Celebration of Surf.
The San Clemente Celebration of Surf is a surf-oriented music and art festival aimed at recognizing the rich surf history of San Clemente. Many southern Orange County cities already have celebrations to recognize their unique strengths, such as Laguna Beach’s Pageant of the Masters.
San Clemente has yet to celebrate the surf culture and lifestyle that makes it a desirable destination for surfers worldwide, until this year.
The San Clemente Rotary Club will be putting on the Celebration of Surf, in association with Hurley, Skullcandy, and Rainbow, on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Richard T. Steed Memorial Park.
For the price of a two hour theater movie, patrons can enjoy five hours of live music, local art, and food and drinks while also contributing to charities such as Surfers Healing and Rock the Autism. This is the night before the Hurley Pro, and will likely draw in many professional surfers who will be in the area for the contest.
The event costs $15 for general admission, $5 for children, begins at 5 p.m. and will rage on until 10 p.m. VIP tickets are also available for $50, and includes exclusive seating near the stage, a VIP buffet, and open bar access. The event will include music from Common Sense, members of Honk, Questions, So Lag Vibrations, and Mike Wilson. There will also be art and photography on display from local artists, and booths from over 20 surf vendors.
“We will also be honoring many of the athletes,” said Tyler Johnson, president of the San Clemente Rotary Club. “Past and present who have left their mark on San Clemente’s surfing heritage.” This includes the 21 surfers on San Clemente’s “Surfers Row:” Dino & Kolohe Andino, Matt Archbold, Josh Baxter, Shane & Gavin Beschen, Corky Carroll, Rich Chew, Mary Lou Drummy, Phil Edwards, Herbie, Christian & Nathan Fletcher, Dane, Patrick & Tanner Gudauskas, Joyce Hoffman, Jimmy Hogan, Colin McPhillips, Greg & Rusty Long,The Paskowitz Family, and Mike Parsons.
“The people in the industry here in San Clemente and across the region are really excited that this town is finally embracing its surfing culture,” said Joey Santley, a supporter of the Celebration of Surf, and also the founder of Green Foam, a company that takes old foam to recycle into new surfboards.
“This town has arguably contributed more to surfing through athletes, innovators, and pioneers, then any other town in the world and its about time we chose to celebrate that,” Santley said. “I just know this event will just continue to grow each year as more and more people catch the vision of bringing the entire industry together for a huge party in its honor.”
San Clemente is recognizing its surf history and culture with this event, and the Celebration of Surf will be an anticipated annual gathering for many years to come. Tickets are available online at www.CelebrationofSurf.com.