10th Annual
Venice Surf-A-Thon
October 26th, 2003
Venice Breakwater – Venice, CA
photos by Dan Levy and Terri Craft
PRESS RELEASE – The Venice Surf and Skateboard Association is pleased to announce that the VSA will be hosting the 10th annual Surf-A-Thon surfing contest. Founded by VSA Executive director Ger-I Lewis to promote surfing and provide an alternative to the gang warfare that had claimed many young lives on the streets of Venice. The 10th annual Surf-A-Thon will be held at the Venice breakwater on Oct 25th. The after party will be hosted at Club Good Hurt. Surfing Divisions include women, longboard, groms, jr.mens, mens, masters, seniors and pro-am. A purse of $300 will be awarded to the winner of the pro/am division. An after party will also be held with a bikini contest, $500 first place to the winner, live bands,and djs. Sponsors will be allowed a ’10×10′ booth space and vending will be allowed at both events. Sponsor’s logos will be printed on a limited edition t-shirt as well. The VSA is a nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible (501c). All proceeds go to funding youth programming (skateboard/surfing contests, skate/surf trips, job training, etc.) Sponsorship is very affordable. Event sponsorship $150. Previous and current sponsors include: Sector9, …Lost, Ultra Soul, Dogtown, Grind King, Santa Monica Airlines, Pep, Skatepark Association USA, Juice Magazine, Pipeline, Lightning Bolt, BC Ethic, Fudink, Hotgirls, Miken Clothing, Fine Magazine Japan, Budweiser, Redsand, Red Ink, Fresh Jive, Terry Senate Surfboards, Bronze Age, Z-Cult, Z-flex, Sexwax, Killer Bees Wax, Hardwear, Backyard Boards, Sticky Bumps, Fcs fins, Globe, and Sobe. Bands that have performed include: The Stains, The Wretched, Frontside Grind, Horny Toad, Papa Yai, Roots TSS, The Randies, and Chicano Soul and Power. The VSA values your interest and participation. Thank you Ger-I Lewis – Venice Skateboard Association. For more information – e-mail venicesurfsk8@yahoo.com
The 10th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon was the most successful, well-attended surf contest in Venice in a decade. All the locals came out to the Venice Breakwater for the 3-4 ft. waves and with entertainment provided by Ger-I Lewis and Tonan Ruiz on the microphone, the crowd camped out all day long. Stay tuned for a complete list of winners and photos to be posted on the site. Many thanks and much respect to Ger-I Lewis and his supreme efforts to enhance the community of surfing and skateboarding in Venice. After spending the previous day in the hospital, Lewis was in fine form, organizing the day and the after party with N9, Downstroke, Frontside Grind and Left Hand Side at the Good Hurt Club. Email venicesurfsk8@yahoo.com to order a VSA contest t-shirt or get info for next year’s event.
VENICE SURF-A-THON 2003 – Official Results – Oct 26, 2003 – Tenth Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon, Venice Breakwater, Venice, CA. – Jr Men: 1st – Luke Yuron, 2nd – Justin Swartz, 3rd – Martin Runal, 4th – Matt Vetri. Masters: 1st -Anthony ‘Tonan’ Ruiz, 2nd – Tim Lynch, 3rd – Adrian Reif, 4th – Leandro. Pro/Am: 1st – Justin Swartz, 2nd – Issack Perloff, 3rd – Spencer. Mens: 1st – Frosty Baldwinn, 2nd – Tim Mchard, 3rd – Josh Banner, 4th – Willie Miploz. Longboard: 1st – Storman Norman, 2nd – Tall Dennis, 3rd – James ‘RedDog’ Muir, 4th – Taylor Rialto. Women’s Shortboard: 1st – Terumi Baka, 2nd – Motoko Okiatama, 3rd – Yuko Funasaki. Women’s Longboard: 1st – Jazmine, 2nd – Melanie Berry, 3rd – Kirra Keol. Thanks to all the participants, sponsors and volunteers. Thanks Ger-I Lewis Venice Surf-A-Thon – Executive Director. Email venicesurfsk8@yahoo.com to order a VSA contest t-shirt or get info for next year’s event.
