Surfrider Gaviota Fundraiser Goes Big!

The Santa Barbara Chapter's recent "Save Gaviota" Holiday Party was an overwhelming success, raising more than $9,000.00 to preserve the Gaviota Coast - the last remaining stretch of undeveloped coastline in southern California. The event featured 1977 World Champion surfer and Santa Barbara resident Shaun Tomson as Master of Ceremonies, as well as a unique silent auction of hand-painted surfboard fins (graciously donated by Chuck Ames of True Ames Fins) by artists Ned Evans, Jesse Balmer, Rob Havassy, and Rick Rietveld, along with Santa Barbara locals Ryan Moore, Larry Iwerks, Sean Kirkpatrick, Rebecca Lovejoy-Stebbins, and Robert Heeley.

L to R - Matt Wallace, Shaun Tomson, Katie Tannenbaum, Sandy Lejeune, Scott Bull

In addition, original works created especially for the fundraiser by artists Nathan Paul Gibbs and Santa Barbara artists Jeremy Harper, John Klippenstein, and potter Scott Chatenever were part of the silent auction, along with an iconic print of legendary Hawaiian surfer and waterman Eddie Aikau by photographer Dan Merkel. All artists generously donated their time and talents.