Spring Valley-based Boys to Men Mentoring (B2M) celebrated its 15th Annual 100 Wave Challenge in late September at Mission Beach.

This year marked the Crystal Anniversary of the surf-a-thon, an event that began in 2009, challenging surfers of all skill levels to catch 100 waves in a single day while raising funds to support B2M’s in-school mentoring programs throughout San Diego County.

This year, the event raised an astounding $270,000, moving B2M closer to its vision of providing mentorship in every middle and high school in San Diego.

“The 100 Wave Challenge works so well because we offer surfers a chance to integrate their passion for surfing with a purpose that is transforming the lives of young men struggling to become the good men they want to be,” said Co-founder Joe Sigurdson. “Matching passion with purpose makes it easy to say yes to the Challenge and inspire those around us to say yes to supporting us.”

Executive Director Rose Courtney echoed Sigurdson’s sentiments, adding: “Our Crystal Anniversary not only represents 15 years of surfing for a great cause — but also our clarity and commitment to expanding our programs into more schools. We’re incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors, surfers, volunteers, and the community for helping us reach this milestone.”

Sponsors like Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Bronner’s, and Molly’s Angels Foundation played a role in the event’s success. Local surf legends Bird Huffman of Bird’s Surf Shed and Joe Roper also lent their support, paying heartfelt tributes and emphasizing the importance of B2M’s mission.

A special highlight of the event was the presentation of the One Drop Award to local real estate broker Dane Soderberg for his dedication to Boys to Men Mentoring. Soderberg, who has supported B2M for nearly a decade, recently hosted a BBQ to introduce the mission to his family and friends, inspiring others to get involved.

More than just a physical challenge, the 100 Wave Challenge embodies the spirit of community, purpose, and support for the next generation.

While the event has concluded, the opportunity to make waves of impact continues. Fundraising remains open until Oct. 31, giving the community more time to contribute and help Boys to Men Mentoring reach even more boys across San Diego.

To make a donation or learn more about Boys to Men Mentoring and the 100 Wave Challenge, visit boystomen.org.

Photo credit: Surfline