Surfrider Foundation and Global Surf Industries celebrate the largest surf event in the Pacific Northwest CleanWaterClassic.com
The 7th annual Clean Water Classic surf contest just wrapped up this past weekend in
Westport, Washington. The event, organized and put on by volunteers from the Pacific
Northwest chapters of Surfrider Foundation, is a major fundraising event for the local
chapters of Surfrider Foundation. Volunteers from southern Oregon all the way to British
Columbia host the event which attracted over 1000 spectators and nearly 150 contestants.
The Classic is the only Pro/Am contest held in the region. “Our chapters and activists work
hard to put this event on every year, and it represents one of the biggest fundraising
opportunities and membership drives”, says Charlie Plybon, Oregon Field Coordinator for
Surfrider Foundation. “These funds help support a variety of campaigns and programs that
focus on water quality, beach access, ocean health, and shoreline preservation. All of the
proceeds are split evenly amongst participating chapters to provide crucial funding to Surfrider initiatives at the local chapter level.”
On Saturday May 17, the first heats started at 7:00 AM at the jetty in Westhaven State Park,
Washington. The event concluded at 3 PM on Sunday, May 18. Over the course of Saturday
and Sunday, 50 heats were run with most being 15 minute heats. Six competitors per heat
was the norm on Saturday, with the semi finals and finals on Sunday drawing between two
and four competitors per heat. The weather was spectacular this year providing clear skies,
sunshine and solid overhead waves for contestants to tout their skills for the judges.
On Saturday night, sponsors combined forces to provide an extraordinary surf theme party
which attracted over 450 people. Each Surfrider chapter in the region presented displays
and tables educating partygoers on their unique local issues, campaigns and programs. The
party turnout packed the Westport Convention Center, and featured a special presentation
by the Classic title sponsor, Global Surf Industries. The presentation honored local shop
owner and Pacific Northwest surf pioneer Al Perlee. Known to many as “the dean of
Northwest surfing”, Perlee maintains The Surf Shop in Westport and was honored with a
signed sur%oard by Classic organizers. Also headlining the event was special guest Bob
McTavish, one of the catalysts for the shortboard revolution. At 64 years, Bob was pulling
into barreling overhead surf on Friday afternoon, impressing the younger crowd on the
beach. The evening finished off with some great tunes and a lively show by the Panda
Conspiracy.
The event would not have been such a huge success without the amazing support of all our
sponsors. Sponsors include: Global Surf Industries, Kona Brewing, Rebel Sur%oards,
Barefoot Wines, The Islander Resort, Quiksilver, Pacific NW Judges, Sol Sunguard, Urban Surf, Lost Mountain Surf Company, Coastal Surf Boutique, Xcel, Perfect Wave, Serenity
Spa, Bullman Beach Inn, Agua Verde Cafe, Second Ascent, DVS, North by Northwest Surf,
Burley Girls, Zumiez, Fish Tale Organic Ales, Far North Surf and Sport, Whale Tails, Justin
Myers Photography, Philippe Bishop Photography and others. Thanks to all our sponsors
and chapters for making this event such a huge success!
The Surfrider Foundation (Surfrider.org) is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to
the protection and preservation of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984
by a handful of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000
members and 63 chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico, with international
affiliates in Australia, Europe, Japan and Brazil.
Pamela Clark onewahine.com
Westport Surfing Clean Water Classic I
Westport Surfing Clean Water Classic II
Clean Water Classic
Westport WA
May 16-18, 2008
O'Neill Team Rider, Noah Cohen, once again dominated the competition at the Clean Water Classic held in Westport Washington this past weekend marking his second Pro/Am win at the event in as many years. Noah battled alongside O'Neill teammate, Reid Jackson, as well as fellow Canadians CC Unger-Mayor and Kye Peladeau.CC took third place in the Pro/Am and Kye first-place in the Juniors Category. For Noah this is one of many wins in the past year after winning the event in 2007 as well as the Pro/Am Division of the Rip Curl Stew in Tofino and the Junior Division at The September Storm classic in Nova Scotia.
The 7th Annual Surfrider Foundation Clean Water Classic presented by Global Surf Industries is the largest surf contest in the Pacific Northwest, attracting more than 110 competitors in a variety of divisions. This event is a benefit for the Pacific Northwest chapters of the Surfrider Foundation, and has been awarded the Surfrider Foundation Chapter Event of the Year. The Classic is the oldest continuously running surf competition in the Pacific Northwest. This weekend was a wonderful weekend for the Clean Water Classic with temperatures soaring into the high 90 degrees fahrenheit on the Friday, and an 85 degree day on Saturday with clear skies. This atypical heat wave along with surf well-overhead made for an amazing event in and out of the water.
Marc Fuller O'Neill Canada
7th ANNUAL CLEAN WATER CLASSIC
Surfrider Foundation and Global Surf Industries release registration forms for the largest
surf contest in the Pacific Northwest
Clean Water Classic.com The 7th annual Clean Water Classic surfing contest will be held May 16th to 18th at Westport,
Washington. This event is a benefit for the Pacific Northwest chapters of the Surfrider
Foundation, and has been awarded the Surfrider Foundation Chapter Event of the Year.
The Classic is the oldest continuously running surf competition in the Pacific Northwest.
In 2008, the Classic will debut a Stand Up Paddle demo heat and a keiki (youth) heat.
Registration forms for the Classic are now available on line at CleanWaterClassic.com.
Most of the heats fill up completely, and competitors should not rely on beach registrations
due to the high popularity of this event.
Pete Stauffer is the Oregon Policy Coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation. Pete explains
the importance of the Classic to the Pacific Northwest chapters. ""The CWC generates
crucial funding for the volunteer chapters of Surfrider throughout the Pacific Northwest.
These funds help support a variety of campaigns and programs that focus on water quality,
beach access, ocean health, and shoreline preservation. We really appreciate all the support
provided by local surf shops and shapers to help make the contest a success. The event
would not be possible without the wonderful support of the community of Westport."
The 2008 Clean Water Classic is presented by Global Surf Industries, the leading sur%oard
distribution company worldwide. Mark Kelly is the President of Global Surf Industries.
Mark notes, "This is a low key event on a global scale, and this is what we love about the
Classic. Our company mantra is "Life is better when you surf", and this is alive and on
display at the Classic for sure. We have some surprises in store this year, so I am looking
forward to seeing the excitement we can create."
The Surfrider Foundation (Surfrider.org) is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to
the protection and preservation of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984
by a handful of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000
members and 63 chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico, with international
affiliates in Australia, Europe, Japan and Brazil.
Contacts: Pamela Clark
Clean Water Classic Communications
503-805-9668
clark_pamela at yahoo.com
Jean Olson
Clean Water Classic Operations and Logistics
360-220-5735
orcajean at hotmail.com
Adrian Nelson
Clean Water Classic Sponsor Relations
604-780-3670
adrian at slanted-media.com
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