Making Waves on Solid Ground

Say ball and what usually comes to mind are socialites amid sophisticated revelry or, at the very least, Cinderella. But when the ball involves a bunch of beach-bred dudes, spike all expectations.

In this high society, superiority is determined by who dominates the waves, and it’s the boards that have become sophisticated.

In the name of a good cause and good fun, members of the surf industry suited up for the fifth annual Waterman’s Ball at the California Scenario Sculpture Garden in Costa Mesa on Saturday.

Sponsored by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn., the event drew hundreds of surf designers, company owners, artists and distributors, as well as supporters of the Surfrider Foundation, American Oceans Campaign and the Orange County Marine Institute, which benefited from the gala.

The code was creative black tie, but even that was a stretch for some, such as Quiksilver VP Danny Kwock who attended in a cotton aloha shirt and jeans. It was, he said, in honor of filmmaker Bruce (“The Endless Summer”) Brown, who received the Waterman Achievement Award that night.

Glass slippers?

Try Converse sneakers, sports sandals and even thongs paired with pin-stripe suits and tuxedos. Katin co-owner Bill Sharp and Surfer magazine artist Joe McElroy hot-footed it in red suede creepers.

McElroy also shared World Jungle owner Jack Denny’s penchant for polyester--in a sickly shade of chocolate. Dudes also got the opportunity to let loose by wrapping up in sarongs, both in primitive prints and in classier black satin.

As for the women, outrageous black cocktail dresses in sheers and detailed with cutouts competed for attention with barely-there baby dolls in whites and metallics. There was also a barrage of ocean blue sequins and Barbie get-ups.

The Hawaiian print tux accouterments and fresh flower leis aside, the best accessory of the night was attached to display artist Raggs Adams suit jacket lapel: a sticker that read simply “Cool Guy.”