Surf’s up! The mentoring network, Boys to Men, invites San Diegans and surfing mentors to the shores of Pacific Beach (Law Street) for “Summer Surf Night” 5 p.m. on Aug. 15. The ensemble event, organized by Boys to Men, is geared to churn the wheels for its premiere fundraiser, the 100 Wave Challenge to be held on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Mission Beach. The evening will showcase surfing aficionados connecting and mentoring male network members – fatherless teens – on the basics of surfing while enjoying a fabulous barbecue feast. According to Molly Bowman-Styles, the event’s special projects consultant, Summer Surf Night is a “wonderful community visibility opportunity.”
“Summer Surf Night raises awareness for the program’s yearly fundraiser, the 100 Wave Challenge,” she said. “The event will work to recruit new mentors, surfers and surf angels. Our boys will go one on one with amazing men while enjoying the surfing spirit. Surfing keeps us tied to the ocean’s energy which is the pulse of Boys to Men.”
Boys to Men was launched in 1996 by Craig McClain and Joe Sigurdson. The San Diego-based, nonprofit organization connects fatherless teenage boys with positive male role models through in-school and after-school programs. Posing the question, “Does the young man have a man in his life to look up to?” Boys to Men hosts group circles, surf nights and camping trips. Passionate and optimistic about generating change in the future of these fatherless teens, mentors also facilitate spaces for honest discussion. Serving close to 800 high-risk boys from 28 schools throughout San Diego County – the majority coming from single-parent households with no stable male role models – programming works to improve academic performance through mentoring. To date, the now nationwide organization has mentored more than 6,000 boys.
Summer Surf Night is one of four pre-100 Wave Challenge events used to introduce new mentors to the young men.
“The Summer Night Surf Barbecue is a way for founders Joe and Craig to share the surf culture through a beach barbecue and welcome everyone to the heartbeat of Boys to Men,” continued Bowman-Styles. “Everyone shakes hands, shares a meal, and gets to know each other. The events are a bonding experience. Surfing and barbecues are a hand in glove circle of fun.”
Bowman-Styles noted the efficacy of Boys to Men “working with young men who care to make the community better.
“These young men are pivotal for our future,” she said. “Passionate about establishing a path for future success, mentors draw from their own experiences. Everyone has a story to share. Everyone has walked through life – making and learning from their mistakes. To impart that knowledge to a young person is a gift. That’s the mission of Boys to Men; to give these boys a chance to succeed.”
The organization encourages everyone to experience the “magic” of Boys to Men. Bowman-Styles described Summer Surf Nights as a toe in the water experience to mentor the boys and enjoy a hamburger.
“It’s wonderful to watch the boys pop up and ride the waves,” she said. “Boys to Men is a mighty organization. We strive to maintain momentum and spread the mission to include more young men who will derive the benefits from Boys to Men.”
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soaps, one of the event’s title sponsor, is thrilled to partner with an organization whose values and philosophy align with “our own.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Boys to Men because of the incredible work they do in San Diego – and around the world really,” said Abner Nevarez, Dr. Bronner’s event marketing coordinator. “The organization exemplifies integrity for our youth as well as a high ethos to make our planet a better place to live which coincides with the philosophy of Dr. Bronner’s.”
“Dr. Bronner’s is all about joy and spirit,” added Bowman-Styles. “These events take on the passion and the joy of all of our partners. Without question, Dr. Bronner’s enhanced our community involvement.”
The 100 Wave Challenge, an annual event now in its eighth year, challenges participants to catch 100 waves in one day. Participants will be sectioned by surf styles, long/short boards, stand-up paddlers, boogie boards and body surfers. “We have much to offer,” concluded Bowman-Styles. “And we have just as much to share with our boys – the men who hold our future in their hands.” Summer Surf Night
Where: Law Street beach.
When: 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15.