'Project Save Our Surf' First Annual Surfathon and Celebrity Gala/Auction

All Proceeds to Benefit Non-Profit OCEANA, an international ocean conservation group

WHO: Project Save Our Surf (Project SOS) was launched by actress Tanna Frederick and world-renowned surfer Shaun Tomson, both avid surfers concerned about the world's oceans. They were inspired to embrace the surfathon concept as a fun and rewarding family event, bringing together the legendary sport of surfing and beach lovers who want to make a difference. Project SOS is collaborating with a number of generous local and national sponsors including ZJ Boardinghouse, Quiksilver, Rocker Board Shop, Kreation Café, Charlie Palmer Restaurants and American Latino TV.

WHAT: Surf participants will raise money by asking people to sponsor their commitment to surf non-stop during a six-hour shift. The event will be followed by a Celebrity Gala with a live band, auction, cocktails, tapas and a celebrity "blue" carpet befitting Oceana. Honorary Board Members attending the gala include Dennis Hopper, Jeff Garlin, Judd Nelson, Ron Vignone , Rosanna Arquette , Noah Wyle, Ed Begley, Jr., Justine Pasek (Miss Universe 2002), Elliot Gould, writer/director Phil Alden Robinson and director *Henry Jaglom. Celebrities surfing the event include Michelle Rodriguez ("Lost"), David Chokachi ("Baywatch") and World Champion of International Professional Surfing Peter "P.T." Townend. Other activities at the event include Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, environmental guest speakers, face painting, team relay races, yoga sessions, free massages, raffle prizes and musical performances by Francis Awe and The Nigerian Talking Drum Ensemble, and Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders.

WHEN: Surfathon: Sunday, April 5, 2009 - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Celebrity Gala Event and Auction: Sunday, April 5, 2009 - 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm.

WHERE: Surfathon
Ocean Park Beach Shutters on the Beach, Ballroom
2600 Barnard Way
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Celebrity Gala Event and Auction
One Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401

WHY: Project Save Our Surf is holding its first annual surfathon to raise money for the non-profit organization Oceana. Oceana is a non-profit organization that campaigns globally to protect and restore the world's oceans. Oceana seeks to make our oceans as rich, healthy and abundant as they were in the past. They look to a future in which dolphin sightings are common along any temperate coast; swordfish, marlin and tuna are abundant once again; whales and sea turtles thrive; cod are plentiful on both sides of the Atlantic; local fishing cultures evolve rather then decline and in which fish are a safe, growing and plentiful source of food around the world.

HOW: To register to surf please visit www.projectsaveoursurf.com. Tickets for the Celebrity Gala are $100 per person and can be purchased by calling 310-271-0202 .

Milton Willis faces charges in DUI Death

A renowned big-wave surfer who was allegedly speeding and drunk when he crashed a car in Del Mar last year, killing his 24-year-old passenger, now faces criminal charges, according to a published report.

Milton Willis was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI, authorities said Monday.

Killed in the June 6 crash was Bradley Dillahunty of Laguna Niguel.

Willis, a longtime Solana Beach resident in his early 50s, was driving a Toyota sedan on Coast Boulevard in Del Mar about 1:40 a.m. when the fatal crash occurred, according to the sheriff's department.

Willis and his brother became names in the surfing community in the '70s when they began surfing big waves in Hawaii.

Firewire Surfboard Vs Shallow Reef

I was getting a little tired of hearing about how strong these Firewire surfboards are, sick of the hype, sick of people accompanying a statement like "They say these Firewire surfboards don't break" with a sturdy smack on the deck!
The reason I was sick of it all, was because I had no way of knowing if it was true or not, and at $700US a board I was in no hurry to test it.
I finally got proof of how sturdy these boards are the other day though, while surfing a reef break at 4-5ft the other day, and pushing it just a tad to close to the low end of the tide. I kicked out of a nice mid sized 3-4ft left looked back towards the lineup to grin and gloat to my mates about the ride I just scored, but was instead greeted with a 5ft closeout set that planned to land right on top of me! Normally this wouldn't seem so bad, but when you are in less than knee deep water over a sharp reef with no forward momentum, I can tell you it sucks ass!
Long story short, the wave landed on my back, slammed both me and my board into the reef, the board hit so hard that I bruised my ribs a little against the deck.
Now for most boards out there that would have been it, probably end up snapped or unrideable...here is how the Firewire fared!

Final Verdict: Firewire Surfboards are well worth the heavy price tag

Kelly Slater & Laird Hamilton: Surfer's, Writers, Legends!

Easily two of the greatest surfers of all time are releasing books, whatever these books take on, it should be taken at as a awesome opportunity to learn from two of the worlds most influential surfers. To be able to see how they do it, to see what makes them tick, to see what it might be like to walk a day in their sandles…

Laird Hamilton and Kelly Slater. To call these guys legends would be an understatement. Each has reached to the top of the surfing world, raised the bar they set over and over again. They essentially revolutionized the sport in a way that few surfers have. Kelly and Laird are the ultimate cross section of surfing frontier men, building on the foundations laid by legendary surfers like Tom Curren and Greg Noll respectively.

Laird’s book, Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul and, of Course, Surfing has already been released. Force of Nature is what he calls a map of the choices he’s made along the way that have led him to reach the levels he has reached throughout all aspects of his life. “It’s about quality over quantity and being true to your physical, mental, and spiritual roots. Not only is it possible to thrive in the modern world without adopting its harmful habits: it’s essential” he says. Gabrielle Reece and Dave Kalama, as well as various food and health gurus have all helped contribute to Force of Nature.

‘Kelly Slater: For the Love’ is the 9x world champion’s soon to be released book. Throughout his career Kelly has embodied many roles in the surfing world; Professional surfer, world-class athlete, environmental and social activist, musician and worldwide celebrity. Kelly has always been one of those enegmatic iconic types of people who just seem to draw people to follow him, regardless of whether he desires it or not . Even more intriguing in Kelly's latest book are the people interviewed, From Jack Johnson, Eddie Vedder, and Shaun Thomson all the way to the one and only Pamela Anderson. Should be an awesome read! Chronicle Books will be releasing Kelly Slater: For the Love on Nov. 17