The 14th annual Clean Water Classic is set to go off, September 25-27, 2015, in Westport, WA, fingers crossed for another year of sun and proper surf! This is the longest running Pro/Am surf contest in the Pacific Northwest and is presented collectively by the Pacific Northwest chapters of the Surfrider Foundation. The competition will feature multiple classes in both men’s and women’s divisions and a kid’s surf camp scheduled for Saturday. The Clean Water Classic features some of the best surfing to be found in the PNW and fun for every member of the family.
This is a volunteer organized and run event with all proceeds going back to support the work of local chapters throughout OR, WA and BC. What does this mean? ... We need your help to pull it off!
For 2015, we are adding a Grand Master’s Longboard division on Sunday for surfers 50 and older. “This is a chance for people from all over the Pacific Northwest to come together and celebrate our beautiful coastline and the PNW surf culture of protecting what we love, one of the things that makes the Northwest so special.”” says Brice Boland, Washington Chapters Coordinator for Surfrider. Event sponsors include Westport’s Islander Hotel and Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill, Firewire, Vissla, One Ball Jay, Sunpower, SPY Optics, Depactus, Pro-lite, Cleanline Surf Shop and Art by Todd Fisher. “Surfing is an important part of the Westport culture,” continues Boland, “and this is a weekend we all look forward to. We expect an amazing competition this year and a great opportunity to showcase this awesome environment.” Cash awards will accompany the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes in both the men’s and women’s pro/am shortboard divisions.
On Saturday, volunteers from A Warm Current and Surfrider will be coordinating a free youth surf camp for local kids from the Westport area. A Warm Current will be collecting any used but usable wetsuits, booties, gloves and boards for future camps. Donations of used gear, especially the smaller sizes, will be accepted at the event.
The Surfrider Foundation has multiple chapters in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Gus Gates, Surfrider Foundation Washington Policy Manager, describes the work of Surfrider as “locally driven and volunteer-centered. With one foot in the water, and one in the sand, our members are committed to the Northwest environment and play a strong leadership role in water quality monitoring as well as beach cleanups, along with other education and outreach activities all over the region.”
Hope to see y'all out there!