FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2022
CONTACT: Savanna Lanza
PHONE: 321-298-4437
EMAIL: slanza@kidneyfla.org
The 37th Annual NKF Rich Salick Pro Am Surf Festival
COCOA BEACH, FL – The event organizers along with long time sponsors are thrilled to bring the 37th Annual NKF Rich Salick Surf Fest back to its roots as it takes place this Labor Day Weekend, September 2nd-5th at the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. With summer activities heating up, this year’s Surf Fest is sure to make waves all along the Space Coast.
The Ron Jons Mens Pro, the main event at the 37th Annual NKF Rich Salick PRO-AM Surf Festival, will take place at the main stage of the contest area. Athletes from across the state and as far away as Costa Rica will convene at this historic surf spot to compete for prize money and trophies created by world renowned artist, Cris Woloszak. The Womens Pro, Victory Casino Mens Pro Longboard and Gutin & Wolverton Womens Pro Longboard competitors will also share the stage as they display epic surfing all weekend long. If you’re not a big surf spectator, come for a stroll along the historic pier as you enjoy a refreshing beverage from Carroll Distributing, or check out the many sponsors attending with tons of free giveaways throughout the event. Surfers and beach-goers alike will enjoy the weekend festivities while raising funds to fight kidney disease.
Both professional and amateur surfers will hit the waves in the preliminary heats beginning on Saturday, September 3rd. You don’t want to miss the Pollywogs Division, the premier amateur event featuring the state’s up and coming athletes as young as 4 years old, as they compete for a spot in the finals. All pro and amateur surfing finals conclude the weekend on Labor Day, September 5th. The team event will also take place on September 5th and is a classic, throwback tradition that replicates the original format of the event that began in the ‘70s.
The iconic Taste of Brevard and Silent Auction will take place on Sunday, September 4th. The Taste of Brevard is the “Tropical Party of the Year” and will include live music along with patient and surfing legend testimonials. Restaurants from around the Space Coast will donate signature dishes in hopes to take home the “Best Taste Title”. Auction items include hand-painted surfboards, artwork from the Wyland Galleries, beach cruisers, surf packs, and much more. All of the proceeds go to the National Kidney Foundation of Florida to help increase awareness and prevention of kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. Tickets to the Taste of Brevard will be available online at NKFsurf.org and at the door.
With the help of over 300 volunteers and the support of the community, this year’s event is sure to be a weekend to remember. The event is in honor of the co-founder and 3 time kidney transplant recipient Rich Salick who passed away in July 2012. For more information on the NKF Pro-Am Surfing Festival call 407-894-7325 or visit us online at www.nkfsurf.com.
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