Surfrider Backers Preview New Eatery With a Splash

It was dark, and a rainstorm threatened, but that didn’t deter the 500 people who gathered at the Huntington Beach Pier on Monday night to support the Surfrider Foundation and get a preview of a new oceanfront restaurant.

The eatery, Chimayo at the Beach, was SRO with Surfrider backers. The nonprofit environmental organization--which is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s waves, beaches and wetlands--provides research and educational programs. There are 25,000 members in the group’s 44 U.S. chapters, as well as members in Australia, Brazil and Japan.

Lisa Brooks, co-director of the Huntington Beach/Long Beach chapter of the foundation, accepted a donation of $3,000 from the restaurant’s owners, John Martin, Zane Leshner and David Wilhelm.

The money was welcome, as was the environment, Brooks says.

“I was excited to be able to invite Surfrider members and supporters to Chimayo’s opening,” she says. “Everyone from our chapter and some of the national officers were impressed.”

Waiters carted platters of tropical Mexican and Caribbean-style antojitos. They included ahi rolls with avocado, red onion and cilantro-chile sauce, cornmeal-crusted popcorn shrimp with chile-cumin sauce, and smoked Gouda quesadillas.

Deejay Carl Lofgren spun smooth Latin jazz before raising the tempo with tribal beats.

“The vibe is nice,” said a single twentysomething woman. “The restaurant is so close to the water, and the mood lighting and candles are so relaxing. I feel as if I am very far away, not just attending a party after work.”

The Surfrider Foundation can be reached through its national office: (949) 492-8170.