International Surfing Day 2011 at
Surf Shack, St Pete Beach, Florida
Rev. 20 June 2011, 1137 hrs.
Robert Neff's photo essay of International Surfing Day 2011 captures the roller derby girls, Surfers For Autism, artists, bands and the crowd at the Surf Shack in St Pete Beach, Florida.
On Saturday, 18 June 2011, Surf Shack was hosting a blockbuster party that sported bands, artist, surfers, events, paddle boarding, American Red Cross Support for Japan. Parking was tight as the beach was exploding with the first weekend of "School's out for the summer." After a few laps up and down Gulf Blvd., I found parking on a side street right behind the Roller Derby Girls!
They opened the minivan hatch and started gearing up for a show of force to support International Surfing Day! Meet Ultrasonic, T.T. Motorboat and Carrie Co-Defendent and watch them tune their gear, put on pads over their fishnets and cross Gulf Blvd. When they rolled into Surf Shack's parking lot, they were greeted by Surf Shack's manager, Rob. While there, I met more roller derby girls with wild and exotic names. Their pictures are in the Surf Shack photo essay.
There was a special appearance by Don Ryan, President of Surfers For Autism. He was there to promote next Saturday's event at Treasure Island. Don said he was overwhelmed by the area's support of Surfers For Autism. He mentioned the support ranged from Clearwater, St Pete, St Pete Beach to Tampa. He also said, the press and three networks are covering the event. After talking to Don about tweeting, I now have an invite to the press tent. So expect me to be there tweeting from the beach.
International Surfing Day started in the morning. Surf Shack served as the base camp and point of coordination. Groups met and went out for the beach clean-up, paddling demonstration and other activities. In the Surf Shack parking lot, Jeff Schorr, a surfer who now operates the Craftsman House Gallery in St Petersburg, demontrated a new skateboard from Carver skateboards. He commented that Carver invented a new front truck that allows you to get the deck more on edge as you skate - creating more of a feeling of surfing, rather than skating. He added, Carvers have become extremely popular with the recent longboard craze.
He also showed off new Indosole Sandals that were made of recycled tire rubber that are handmade in Indonesia. They use discarded motorbike tires from the landfills for their "Soles with Soul." Their eco consciousness continues with top sides made from banana leaf, grass mat and other vegan materials.
Cheetah Ruis set up a tent that showcased his art. Cheetah is also a respected chalk artist. Red Cross of Tampa had a "Support Japan" donation booth. Several bands were playing sets while people pulled up their portable chairs.
Beach visitors were stopping by on their way to the beach. The crowds came in waves. Some stayed to enjoy the bands and other continued onto enjoy the surf. As evening approached, the crowds started to swell. The night was going to be rocked!
The photo essay has three parts:
- Roller Derby Girls
- International Surfing Day at Surf Shack, St Pete Beach, Florida
-
Surfers For Autism
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Watch the slideshow of the day's events at International Surfing Day!
International Surfing Day
at Surf Shack St Pete Beach.
With
Roller Derby Girls
and
Surfers For Autism
|
