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The 16 th Annual GAL A “ UN SUN G HE ROE S” b y Jim Kempton
The 16th Annual GALA “UNSUNG HEROES” by Jim Kempton

“Meet and Greet” on Cape Ray Resort patio
“Meet and Gr eet” on Ca pe Ray R esor t pa tio
The pantheon of legendary surfers is a long list. As the 300 and more guests arrive at the oceanfront
Cape Rey Resort to celebrate the 16th annual GALA, an entire hallway presented more than 40 of its greatest
heroes, all previous honorees of the Silver Surfer Award.
It is a spectacular exposition of surfing history that ends at the open patio looking across the Coast Highway
to the Pacific Ocean swells. There the biggest names in the surfing tribe gathered to mingle and marvel at the
setting sun. The music, full bar, and display of silent auction items was only a prelude to the evening’s program.
Shea Roney and Jim Kempton took
turns encouraging the crowd during
the live auction.

Esteemed guests included past Silver 2023’s Silver Surfer, Joey
Surfer honorees Linda Benson and The Silver Surfer award is not only Cabell shared stories with
Bing Copeland, here with Mickey Munoz Annie Doyle.
about what a surfer has achieved, but
what he or she has given back.
The 2024 GALA set a high bar for
distinction this year – celebrating four
of the most beloved but unheralded
members of the surf tribe: Mary Lou
Drummy, Greg MacGillivray, Mickey
Munoz and LJ Richards.
Our great thanks go out to all GALA
supporters and attendees, none more
Widely respected surfer/shaper Guy than our gracious surf patron Max Musician Dave Sheils enter-
Takayama spent time with 1970s Villalobos with Kaiser Permanente. tained guests during the
Master of Pipeline, Rory Russell. meet-and-greet on the patio.
The event is designed as a fund-
raiser and to that end this was one of
our most successful.
But while our objective is to raise
money so we can continue our pres-
ervation and protection of surf culture,
the spirit of the evening is always
about love and passion in celebrating
the titans of waveriding.
In that respect the 2024 GALA
might have ranked among the very
Film historian Ira Opper chatted with 2018 Artist Wade Koniakowsky
Silver Surfer Peter Townend and best! Sincerely, put the finishing touches on
Glen Brumage from the International Jim Kempton Executive Director his live-auction painting.
Surfing Museum in Huntington Beach.
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