Industry News

Surf Industry raises funds for 14 surf-related humanitarian organizations

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 September, 2008 : - - Aliso Viejo, Ca -- Mixing the passion of surfing with helping others, on Friday, September 5, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) Humanitarian Fund raised approximately $230,000 at the annual fundraiser, Liquid Nation Ball. 

Surf industry business executives, professional surfers, and La Jolla VIPs gathered at the ocean-front home of Fernando and Vicky Aguerre in La Jolla, Calif. to help raise funds for 14 surf-related humanitarian organizations and honor the first ever SIMA Humanitarian of the year, Dr. Dave Jenkins, CEO of SurfAid International.
 
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to be named as the first-ever SIMA Humanitarian of the Year as Liquid Nation Ball has been supportive of us and our vision for SurfAid International since its infancy when it was not much more than a crazy idea,” said Dr. Dave Jenkins, CEO of SurfAid International and SIMA Humanitarian of the Year. “The sport of surfing has opened our eyes to the world and the ways that we can make a difference for others.”
 
As the CEO and inspiration behind SurfAid International, Dr. Dave has made medical and life changing impacts on people’s lives around the world. Dr. Dave is most well known for his selfless contribution and dedication to building SurfAid International and working with the Mentawai people. His passion for the “hand up, not a handout” philosophy and desire to empower the Mentawai people to function independently, serves as an inspiration to us all.
 
As well as Dr. Dave’s award, the event was highlighted by a live auction.  A surfboard shaped by Greg and Jed Noll, Pinch’s Nightmare, was auctioned off for $40,000.  A surf adventure to Nicaragua was won at $18,000, and a Skip Frye surfboard signed by the elite at Liquid Nation Ball 5 was auctioned off for $20,000.

While the live auction went on, the women of the party took to the first Liquid Nation Ball silent auction sponsored by Riviera Magazine.  Items such as a Charriol USA diamond necklace, Surf Diva surf lessons, and an exclusive BALLY travel bag were competitively bid on.
 
The fifth annual Liquid Nation Ball read like the who’s who of the surf industry.  Surf icons Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Lisa Andersen, Taj Burrow, Greg Noll, and Rochelle Ballard, as well as business leaders Paul Naude, Derek O’Neill, Bob McKnight, Dick Baker and more all enjoyed great food, dancing and the highly entertaining live auction in which the host himself, Fernando Aguerre, Vice-President of the SIMA Humanitarian Fund, literally sold the aloha pants and animal print jacket he was wearing for the sake of charity.
 
“The success of Liquid Nation Ball 5 just proves the growing influence and impact the surf industry is making on the world through humanitarian organizations,” said Fernando Aguerre, co-founder and host of Liquid Nation Ball. 

“The dancing, the live and silent auction items, the music, the guests, the surf stars, and the La Jolla VIPs all made this year the best year yet. On behalf of the SIMA Humanitarian Fund, I would like to thank all of those who attended, supported, and contributed to make the 2008 SIMA Humanitarian Fund grants possible. Giving is the key to a full life and it’s great to join forces for a better world.”   
 
Liquid Nation Ball was originally created by Santiago and Fernando Aguerre to support the humanitarian efforts of SurfAid. In 2006 the brothers donated the Ball to the SIMA Humanitarian Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.  The event now serves as the official fundraising event for the SIMA Humanitarian Fund. All proceeds from Liquid Nation Ball 5 will benefit 14 surf-related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations selected by the SIMA Humanitarian Fund Board of Directors for their efforts focusing on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. 

The 2008 Liquid Nation Ball beneficiaries include Keep a Breast, Boarding for Breast Cancer, Surfer’s Healing, Jimmy Miller Foundation, AccesSurf Hawaii, Outdoor Outreach, Get a Board Foundation, Ka Keiki O Hawaii Foundation, Stoked Mentoring, L.A. Surf Bus, Life Rolls On, Project Wipeout, SurfAid International and Sumba Foundation.
 
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 18 years, SIMA's Environmental Fund has raised more than $4.5 million for environmental groups seeking to 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.

www.liquid-nation.com

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Mandy Johnson

Industry - Surfersvillage