SIMA to Honor McKnight
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Associationwill honor Bob McKnight, chief executive of Quiksilver, with the Waterman of the Year award at its annual Waterman’s Ball and Auction in August.
The two-day fund-raising event at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, Calif., will begin Aug. 4 with the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament and culminate with the Waterman’s Ball on Aug. 5.
Held to benefit SIMA’s Environmental Fund, a charitable foundation that awards grants to environmental groups, the Waterman’s Weekend has raised more than $2.9 million over the past 16 years. Last year’s event raised $400,000 for ocean conservation groups and organizers have set a goal of $450,000 for the 2006 event, SIMA said.
Other honorees at the event will include singer/songwriter Jack Johnson and his wife, Kim, who will be presented with the Environmentalists of the Year award, and legendary surfer Rabbit Kekai, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement award. “Bob, Jack, Kim and Rabbit have all impacted surfing in powerful, yet unique, ways that have earned them everyone’s respect and admiration,” said Dick Baker, president of SIMA and of Ocean Pacific.
