The Waterman’s Gala on Saturday night in Huntington Beach, California, brought the industry something it hadn’t felt often lately: good vibes.
Although the event was smaller than in its glory years, several factors created a joyful atmosphere during the event, including:
- Nathan Florence, the Aquatics of the Year award winner, and his wife Mahina were down to earth, gracious and personable throughout the evening. Nathan has an infectious smile that was on display for most of the evening. Plus, his whole family came, including John Florence, which made the event all star-studded.
The Florence family: Nathan, John, Alex and Ivan. Photo courtesy of Pat O’Connell.
- A great speech by Environmentalist of the Year Vince Scandone, a top executive at Audi who has helped raise over $700,000 for SIMA’s Environmental Fund over the years.
Audi manager Vince Scandone with Paul Naude, President of the SIMA Environmental Fund. Photo by SES.
- The participation of several industry executives who have not been to the event in a long time, including John Wilson of Stance, Matt Biolos of Lost, Mandy Fry of Z Supply, Wing Lam of Wahoo’s and Mike West of 686.
Mike Wallace of Roark, Mandy Fry of Z Supply, Curt Fry, Drew Dolkas of Roark. Photo by SES.
- Newcomer I-SEA was a driving force at the event – there was obviously a lot of fun going on at this table, with co-owner Joey Santley bidding on several items and keeping the atmosphere lively.
I-SEA co-owner Joey Santley, in blue with number, bids on a package of surfing gear from Nathan Florence’s sponsors. Photo by SES.
- The optimism that arose around surfing after the sport was so strongly represented at the Olympics.
- Reef not only brought its leadership team, but also several of its athletes and influencers, including Billy Kemper, Makoa Ho, Victoria Vergara, Noah Beschen, Maluhia Kinimaka and Brent Bielmann. Famous surf icons Lisa Andersen and Tom Curren were also in attendance. The presence of athletes from different brands definitely added a dose of glamour.
Shea Perkins of Reef with Reef surfers Billy Kemper and Maluhia Kinimaka. Photo by SES.
Unfortunately, Billabong founder Gordon Merchant, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, had to cancel his trip from Australia to the US after his brother passed away. However, he sent a video clip of himself accepting the award and thanking SIMA for it.
Vissla CEO Paul Naude, who serves as president of the SIMA Environmental Fund and is the driving force behind the Waterman event, thanked those in attendance for their participation and donations to the cause.
“Every bit of support is vital,” Naude told the crowd. “It’s up to us to protect the foundation that gives us the foundation for an industry and a lifestyle we love.”
Naude criticized others for not supporting Waterman’s, which raises funds for ocean-related environmental nonprofits.
“There has been a radical shift in the industry recently, with virtually every heritage brand except Rip Curl – and I thank Rip Curl for maintaining such a stable core base – changing ownership and adopting a licensed model,” Naude said. “And despite their enormous volume, none of them have contributed to this event tonight.”
Randy Hild and Lisa Andersen. Photo by SES.
In his acceptance speech, Nathan Florence spoke about the new look of the industry, including his and his brothers’ decision to collaborate with the Hurley family on the Florence Marine X brand.
“I couldn’t imagine anything better in life than not only being paid and sponsored to surf, but also being in a company with my brothers and helping to run it,” he said.
“A lot of great leaders have spoken here. It was inspiring to listen to Gordon (via video) and Vince and Paul and hear everyone talk about the industry, where it is today and where it can go. That makes us so excited about the future and we now have a stake in what it will look like,” Nathan said. “And for us, it’s about being a leader, not just in what brands can do in environmental initiatives, but in the way the relationship between athletes and brands works and in our relationship with the ocean.”
In the event’s 35 years, the SIMA Environmental Fund has raised more than $10 million through the Waterman’s Gala, the SIMA Industry Luau and the #SurfCleanOceans campaign.
You can find more photos from the evening in our slideshow below.
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Mellie Trottier with Joel Cooper from Lost. Photo by SES.
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Matt Biolos from Lost with his wife Kelly. Photo by SES.
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Graham Stapelberg of WSL with Vince De La Pena of Vissla. Photo by SES.
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Tom Ruiz of Seager and his wife Missy. Photo by SES.
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Don Dyer, Shawna Dyer and Ryan Hitzel of Roark from I-SEA. Photo by SES.
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Ivan Florence, Zoard Janko and Ryan Hurley of Florence Marine X. Photo by SES.
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Nichol Wylie of Rip Curl and Aaron Coyle, Mike Losness, Chuck Elliott and Mike Matey of Reef. Photo by SES.
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Pat O’Connell and Jeff Hurley from Florence. Photo by SES.
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Tanya and Dylan Slater. Photo by SES.
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Vipe Desai of SIMA, Roy Turner of Surf Expo and Ryan Crosby of WSL. Photo by SES.
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Peter McKenna of NRI and Brian White of Brixton. Photo by SES.
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Dylan Slater of Outerknown and Firewire and John Wilson of Stance. Photo by SES.
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Shaun Tomson from Instinct and his wife Carla. Photo by SES.
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Charlie Setzler of Liquid Graphics, Mike West of 686 and Jen McVey of the Nidecker Group. Photo by SES.
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PT Townend and Roy Turner from Surf Expo. Photo by SES.
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Chris Evans from Finisterre, Alejo Campos from WSL and musician Ron Artis II. Photo by SES.
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SIMA Managing Director Vipe Desai. Photo by SES.
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Vissla CEO Paul Naude. Photo by SES.
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Nathan Florence during the auction of surfing gear from Nathan’s sponsors. Photo by SES.
