Surfwire: Save The Waves raises $60K at annual fundraiser

Life Is A Wave, the annual fundraiser hosted by Save The Waves Coalition, once again washed through the halls of 111 Minna Gallery in downtown San Francisco on Friday night, June 15th. The sixth annual bash raised $60,000 for Save The Waves' environmental programs, to further protect and preserve surfing coastline around the world.

Wallace "J." Nichols, Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences and environmental campaigner, was presented with the 2012 Wave Saver Award for his work protecting the ocean environment. "Most people know I'm an optimist," said Nichols to attendees at the evening's VIP reception. "I'm an optimist because of groups like Save The Waves and because of people like you in this room that are joining together in this fight to save our oceans." Nichols is a longtime Save The Waves supporter and advisor, and also serves on the World Surfing Reserves Vision Council.

This year's event featured an "Evolution of the Wetsuit Fashion Show," supported by O'Neill, Hotline, and Matuse Wetsuits, in honor of the newly dedicated Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve. It also brought together live music from up and coming artists Mars Today and Jake Nielsen's Triple Threat, as well as top talents DJ Julicio and DJ Teeko.

"The event was a tremendous success and we're so appreciative of the support for our efforts," said Save The Waves Executive Director Ginaia Kelly. "Life Is A Wave is a rallying cry for the greater community around the importance of coastal protection and the fight to protect our special surfing areas."