SIMA Announces Waterman's Honorees
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association will celebrate its 20th annual Waterman’s Weekend Aug. 6–7 with its traditional Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament and Waterman’s Ball. This year’s honorees will be surf icon Rob Machado as “Waterman of the Year” and surfer and environmental activist Dave Rastovich as “Environmentalist of the Year.” SIMA’s late president and much-loved surf executive, Dick Baker, will be honored with the 2009 “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
The Waterman’s Ball, which is one of the highlights of the surf industry’s always-packed social calendar, will be held Aug. 6 at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Laguna Niguel, Calif. Proceeds from the two-day event will benefit the SIMA Environmental Fund, a charitable organization that awards grants to environmental groups dedicated to preserving and protecting oceans, beaches and waves. Last year’s Waterman’s Weekend attracted more than 850 attendees and raised a record $500,000 for 18 ocean-conservation groups. The 2009 Waterman’s Weekend beneficiaries and this year’s fund-raising goal have yet to be announced. “The SIMA board of directors and Environmental Fund have selected a very deserving lineup of honorees, and we believe the surf industry will agree that each of these honorees has undoubtedly earned our respect and appreciation,” Paul Naude, chairman of the Waterman’s Weekend event committee and president of the SIMA Environmental Fund board of directors, said in a statement. “On behalf of the surf industry, SIMA is proud to honor Rob, Rasta and Dick at this year’s Waterman’s Ball for their unique and powerful influence on the sport, culture and business of surfing.”
Sponsorship packages for both the 2009 Waterman’s Golf Classic and Waterman’s Ball are on sale now. Individual tickets for the Waterman’s Ball are scheduled to go on sale later this month. For more information, contact Shannon Park, SIMA event manager, at (949) 366-1164 or shannon@sima.com. —Erin Barajas
