Getting Their Fete Wet

The event: 10th annual Waterman’s Ball, the Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn.’s black-tie-meets-the-beach gala. Surf’s big night took place Friday at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point and raised money for the association’s Environmental Fund, which supports organizations dedicated to ocean preservation and education.

Surfboard decor: Red carpets shaped like surfboards were placed throughout the hotel grounds to guide more than 800 guests to a reception on a 150-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific--the perfect party venue for the ocean-loving crowd.

After bidding on collectible surfboards and other surf paraphernalia, party-goers gathered in the ballroom for a gourmet dinner. Tables were adorned with lamps decorated with miniature surfboards.

Many guests sported a fusion of black tie and beach attire: Men were seen in tuxedos with board shorts and flip-flops, while many women wore slinky dresses that showed off summer tans. “This is just something I threw together,” said David Younkman, executive director of the American Oceans Campaign, who turned up in a grass skirt and tails. “I’m wearing shorts under my skirt out of modesty.”

Cleanup effort: Based in Dana Point, the association has about 400 members, most of them surf-related companies from Orange County--”the hub of the surf industry,” said Scott Farnsworth, event chairman and president of the group’s Environmental Fund.

The fund was established 10 years ago to help preserve the ocean. “We’re giving back to a resource we make our living off of,” Farnsworth said. “We have a vested interest, but ocean preservation behooves all of us, whether we’re in the industry or whether we simply enjoy our oceans.”

Quote: “There were 7,000 beach closures last year” in the U.S because of pollution, Younkman said. “You should be able to swim in the ocean without going to the doctor.”

Bottom line: The ball netted about $200,000 to be shared by four groups: the American Oceans Campaign, which works with Congress to pass clean-water protection legislation; the Surfrider Foundation, a San Clemente-based group dedicated to ocean preservation, research

and education; the Orange County Marine Institute in Dana Point, which offers educational and environmental programs; and the Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project, Inc., a Florida-based sea turtle rescue-recovery center.

Faces: Gerry Lopez, two-time winner of the Pipeline Masters contest, who received the Waterman Achievement Award; Richard Moretti, founder of the Hidden Harbor sea turtle hospital, who received the Environmentalist of the Year Award; Surfing America champions Andy Irons and Keala Kennely, the manufacturers association’s Surfers of the Year; Peter Townend; Tom Knapp; Jeff Jung; Kelly Macrides; Randy Hild; Michael Marckx; Bob McKnight; and Susan Crank.

Where to call: For details about the Environmental Fund, call (949) 248-7485.