28th Annual NKF Surfing Festival Continues Today

By  //  September 1, 2013

all proceeds to national kidney foundation

ABOVE VIDEO: Rich Salick received a kidney transplant in 1974 and although he was told that his surfing days were over, his love for the sport drove him to make a comeback. Perhaps Salick’s greatest work began when his pro surfing days ended. Along with his twin brother Phil, they began organizing small surfing events to benefit those on dialysis. The brothers built the annual NKF Surfing Festival into national prominence, and since its inception 28 years ago, the surf fest has raised millions of dollars for the fight against kidney disease.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Surf’s up as the 28th Annual National Kidney Foundation Rich Salick PRO-AM Surfing Festival presented by Ron Jon Surf Shop continues at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

For a complete event schedule visit NKFSurf.com

In 1973 Rick Salick was a professional surfer on the U.S. and World Surfing teams and his future looked very bright. Suddenly, he lost 35 pounds in two weeks and was diagnosed with kidney disease. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
In 1973 Rick Salick was a professional surfer on the U.S. and World Surfing teams and his future looked very bright. Suddenly, he lost 35 pounds in two weeks and was diagnosed with kidney disease. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

Bring your sunblock, and get ready for another legendary beach party with surfers and beach-goers alike enjoying the week long festivities.

Catch it this Labor Day Weekend. Professional and amateur surfers will hit the waves beginning Saturday, August 31st.

This world class event features both Professional and Amateur surfing events including daily tandem exhibitions and clinics, a family-friendly swimsuit competition, entertainment throughout the weekend to guarantee something for everyone.

So bring the entire family out for a great time.

SILENT AUCTION

The event will also include a Surf and Skate competition in conjunction with Cocoa Beach Skate Park; medical exhibitions from Halifax Transplant Center and Translife; world acclaimed Artist Dan Mackin; a competitor’s party held at the Cocoa Beach Pier and a Silent Auction where twenty of Brevard County’s finest restaurants will be sampling their signature dishes.

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Competitions include the Ron Jon Men’s Pro, the Angel/Anarchy Eyewear Women’s Pro, the Steven G. Casanova P.A. Junior Men’s Pro, Victory Casino Men’s Pro Longboard and Gutin & Wolverton Women’s Pro Longboard. (NKF image)

Competitions include the Ron Jon Men’s Pro, the Angel/Anarchy Eyewear Women’s Pro, the Steven G. Casanova P.A. Junior Men’s Pro, Victory Casino Men’s Pro Longboard and Gutin & Wolverton Women’s Pro Longboard.

Surfing continues throughout the weekend with amateur and professional finals taking place on Monday, September 2nd.

The week also includes a “Big Island Night” themed dinner on Monday, August 26th at the Atlantic Ocean Grill on the Cocoa Beach Pier.

Tickets are $25 with all the proceeds going towards the NKF and can be purchased at the Cocoa Beach Pier. Two seatings available at 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

BIG ISLAND NIGHT

Don’t forget to join us at the most tropical party of the year, the popular Taste of Brevard and Silent Auction held Sunday night, September 1st at the Hilton in Cocoa Beach.

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The event will also include a Surf and Skate competition in conjunction with Cocoa Beach Skate Park; medical exhibitions from Halifax Transplant Center and Translife; world acclaimed Artist Dan Mackin; a competitor’s party held at the Cocoa Beach Pier and a Silent Auction where twenty of Brevard County’s finest restaurants will be sampling their signature dishes. (NKF image)

Come join over 1000 guests, 20 restaurants and over 1000 auction items at 6pm September 1st.

With the help of over 350 volunteers and the support of the community this wave gets bigger and bigger!

All of the proceeds go to the National Kidney Foundation of Florida whose mission is preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.

So come out not only for a great time but to show your support and provide help to kidney patients in your community.

This year’s event will be to honor the co-founder and 3 time kidney recipient Rich Salick who passed away in July 2012.

For more information on the NKF Pro-Am Surfing Festival call 800-927-9659 or visit NKFSurf.com

For a complete event schedule, visit NKFSurf.com