Holiday Surfboard Auction

ART EVENT

8th Annual

Surfing Santa Competition & Holiday Surfboard Auction at the The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Left: Artist Nicholas Kontaxis with his handpainted surfboard for the auction

Above: Steve Adam’s handpainted Surfboard for the auction

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel commenced the holiday season with the 8th Annual Surfing Santa and Stand Up Paddle Board Competition at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point on November 17 and 18, 2018, followed by the 11th Annual Holiday Surfboard Auction that runs through December 31, 2018. With a commitment to supporting worthy causes and celebrating the resort’s local footprints, both seasonal events fully benefit Surfers Healing, a non-profit whose mission is to provide children with autism the gift of surfing.

“Our inspiration for the Surfing Santa Competition and Holiday Surfboard Auction began with the locallybased charity Surfers Healing and finding a way to make an impactful difference in the lives of children with autism and our community,” says Bruce Brainerd, General Manager of The Ritz-

Alison Mosshart’s handpainted Surfboard for the auction

Carlton, Laguna Niguel. “Both events not only highlight our world-class location overlooking a famous surf break but also the resort’s mission to give back to our local community by connecting in a meaningful way.”

The Surfing Santa and Stand Up Paddle Board Competition is a two-day event where contestants dress as Santa or other holidayinspired characters and battle it out in the waves at Salt Creek Beach, located directly below the resort and known as one of the best surfing destinations in Southern California. The contest features 11 divisions, inclusive of surf and stand up paddle board and available for both children and adult contestants.

The Holiday Surfboard Auction which runs through December 31 showcases a selection of hand-painted surfboards from various artists that are displayed at the resort and auctioned off to benefit Surfers Healing. Donated surfboards include works by renowned artists such as Wyland, Nicholas Kontaxis, Darren Le Gallo, Jorge Gutierrez, Dana Louise Kirkpatrick, Juliet Gilden, Robin Hiers, Magda Sayeg, among others. Brawner Boards, Hobie, Album, Ellis, and Firewire are also contributing boards in support of the cause. Surfboards are on display in the lobby at the oceanfront property throughout the holiday season and bids can be placed online at Bidding for Good.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s Surfing Santa Competition and Holiday Surfboard Auction were developed by General Manager Bruce Brainerd. In 2008, the Surfboard Auction raised more than $13,000. Two years later, the resort hosted the first Surfing Santa Competition. Since then, the property has raised nearly $350,000 for Surfers Healing.

34 ARTPATRONMAGAZINE.COM