Multi-platinum rock act Switchfoot presents 4th annual charity surf contest and concert
What: 4th Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am
When: Saturday, June 7, 2008
Where: Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA
Surf contest: 7AM-3:30PM
Concert: 11AM-5PM
*A FREE beach event open to the public!
*Afterparty hosted by Switchfoot and Special Guests: 8PM @ The Belly Up Tavern! (21+, www.bellyup.com)
The Switchfoot Bro-Am surf contest and concert returns to Moonlight
Beach in Encinitas on Saturday, June 7, 2008! An annual event near and dear to Switchfoot’s hearts, the Bro-Am was created to give back to the San Diego community while also benefiting a local children’s charity through funds raised at an auction night event, as well as from vendors on the beach day-of, sponsorships, and an afterparty at The Belly Up Tavern.
This year’s event benefits the San Diego and Oceanside branches of StandUp For Kids, a national nonprofit volunteer outreach organization that started right here in San Diego and is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless, and street kids.
“Over the past three years the Bro-Am has grown from a small dream into a beautiful reality; it’s extremely touching to see our entire community rallying together for our youth,” says Switchfoot’s Tim Foreman. “This year we’re honored to be partnering with StandUp For Kids, a nonprofit organization helping homeless and street kids in San Diego for the past 18 years. We’re thankful to live in San Diego, thankful for all the people who continue to work together to make a difference.”
The surf contest will be followed by a FREE concert on the beach, and an afterparty at The Belly Up Tavern will round out the day to help raise additional funds for StandUp For Kids.
We are currently seeking auction items and sponsors for this year’s event. Please let us know if you’d like additional information or would like to discuss opportunities.
We hope you’ll join us in this worthwhile and fun-filled event!
Encinitas, CA: The 3rd Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am Presented by Sun Diego drew over 5,000 friends and supporters to Moonlight Beach in Encinitas on Saturday, June 2, 2007. The event, presented by title sponsor Sun Diego, raised significant funds for Care House at a festive pre-event auction night event at When In Rome Restaurant that included an acoustic performance by Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman, and auction items including a Taylor guitar signed by Pearl Jam and another signed by Switchfoot, an electric guitar signed by Angels & Airwaves, a custom-shaped longboard by Andy Powers, a six-course dinner with wine pairings by When In Rome’s executive chef Rosemary Ragone, and a two-hour surf lesson with Switchfoot. Additional funds were raised through sponsorships, vendors on the beach day-of, and a sold-out afterparty at The Belly Up Tavern.
As circumstances beyond our control would have it, the Encinitas beaches were closed all weekend due to a diesel spill about 3 miles off the coast. Though the contaminated waters kept everyone land-locked, the Bro-Am moved forward with a hilarious dodgeball tournament that replaced the regular surf contest. All 64 surfers that would have competed were invited to instead partake in an action-packed tournament that featured headbands, ’70s shorts, nerf armor, and even a gorilla costume worn by Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman.
The concert began at 11am and entertained an increasingly growing crowd with performances by Alex Woodard, This Holiday Life, Reeve Oliver, The Jade Shader, Escalera, Timmy Curran, Tom Curren, Jason Mraz, Jon Foreman with Sean and Sarah Watkins of Nickel Creek, and a finale by Switchfoot. It’s arguable what was more exciting – the encore all-star performance of Weezer’s “Surf Wax America,” or watching Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, and surf-legend Tom Curren battle it out on the dodgeball court against Dave Kennedy of Angels & Airwaves on Macbeth’s team. The winning dodgeball team, made up of Gabe Garcia, Shey Yates, Eddie Lester, and
JC Toro representing AKA Surf and Loserkids.com, beat out Transworld Surf in the finals. Special trophy enviro-surfboards made by INT Softboards were presented to the champions onstage.
“Despite the oil spill, the Bro-am succeeded in bringing the community together for something bigger than ourselves,” says Switchfoot’s Chad Butler. “To see so many great local musicians collaborating on one stage would have been enough but the excitement surrounding the impromptu dodgeball tournament was unforgettable.”
No one really seemed to miss the surf contest, as in the end, the event is about giving back to San Diego, supporting Care House, and a bigger picture.
Butler affirms, “As a band we are very grateful for what we have been given and it is a
privilege to raise support and awareness for Care House to help homeless kids in San Diego.”
Additionally, The Surfrider Foundation was already scheduled to be present, and it seemed even more fitting, as everyone seemed to be discussing environmental issues and the importance of keeping our oceans clean. Other vendor booths included Sun Diego,
SurfAid, Life Rolls On, The M Collection, The Sundt Memorial Foundation, Pizza
Port, Pnatrul, 91X, Dabco, Menehune Surf, To Write Love On Her Arms, Bella Dona Designs, California Quivers, and Cobian.
The festivities didn’t end at the beach. Over 600 people then packed into the sold out The Belly Up Tavern to enjoy performances by Alex Woodard, Tom Curren, Jason Mraz, and Switchfoot.
Overall, the combined events of 2007’s Switchfoot Bro-Am grossed over $60,000 for Care House.
A very special thank you to our 2007 sponsors: Sun Diego, Transworld Surf, Surfer, Surfing, 91X, AKA Surf, Loserkids.com, Hurley, INT, Jedidiah, Jet Pilot, Dental Specialty Associates/Dr. Pat Davis & Dr. Terrie Yoshikane, Rusty, Surf Ride, Volcom, Macbeth, Gifts of Giving, The M Collection, Pnatrul, JEP Boutique, Arnette, Academy Surfboards, Destination Surf, Hoven, Rivet, Rip Curl, Dakine, Etnies, Vigilucci’s, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, The Platinum Gift, Gravity Skateboards, Ranch & Coast Magazine, Pizza Port, Rockstar Limo, H20 Audio, and Taylor Guitars.
