Softboard
2001: Another Warm Success
By Mike Kew
Meteorological Santa
Barbara magic and positive vibes prevailed once again
for the Surf Happens second annual Softboard Christmas
Unity Surf Challenge, staged Dec. 8-9, 2001, under
hazy sunshine in fun waist-high windswell at Leadbetter
Point.
The event's charitable
concept, as conceived by Surf Happens head Chris Keet,
was to again compete on softboards (i.e. BZ or Doyle)
and, through entry fees, he mustered an $800 donation
for Santa Barbara-based Christmas Unity, a nonprofit
organization supporting underprivileged families throughout
the holiday season. The event also raised $400 for
Red Cross of Santa Barbara.
Tom Curren made an appearance
and won the pro division, something everyone was stoked
to witness. Curren displayed trademark style atop
a blue foam longboard, head-dipping and cheating-five
from the outside to the sand.
"It was fantastic
that Curren showed up - he's my hero," Keet said.
Moderate channel wind
created close-interval swells, so consistency was
high and each contestant rode several waves both days.
Everyone surfed well.
The celebrity division
was graced by Madonna and Raggedy Ann (see photo).
"A couple of our
friends decided to further lighten the atmosphere,
showing up in dresses and wigs," Keet said. "In
next year’s celebrity division, you can show
up as whoever you want to be.
"It’s a lot
of hard work to put this event together," he
continued, "but it's a lot of fun. Everyone was
having way too much fun for waist-high waves (laughs).
I’d like to thank God, my wife Angelica and everyone
else who helped make the event possible."
For complete contest
results, visit www.surfsb.com.
