The surfing community turned up and paddled out for the 14th annual 100 Wave Challenge at Mission Beach, raising $225,000 (and counting) for Boys to Men Mentoring Network.

Surf legends and 100 Wave Challenge surf ambassadors Shaun Tomson (1977 World Surfing Champion) and Damien Hobgood (World Tour Team member), joined the pack of surfers in the morning lineup. Surfers were cheered on throughout the day by family and friends, who gathered on the beach for a community celebration of surfing for a pivotal cause.

The theme of this year’s 100 Wave Challenge, “We’re Better Together,” channeled the spirit of gratitude that super-charged the event’s return to a one-day celebration, after a three-year window when surfers were encouraged to organize smaller, team-centered paddle outs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 100 Wave Challenge is a primary funding source for B2M. The annual surf-a-thon invites surfers to raise $1,000 for B2M and catch 100 waves in one day. The day of charging waves is a personal challenge for event participants. The nonprofit’s mission is a passion for mentors, and a life-changing opportunity for young lives of promise to break the cycle of violence, gangs, drugs, and prison in their families, make better life choices for themselves, and achieve their dreams.

The 100 Wave Challenge is fueled by a team of community partners, anchored by Dr. Bronner’s All One!, Kaiser Permanente, Total Power, Degree 33 Surfboards, Pannikin Coffee & Tea, Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant, Bee the Change, Belmont Park, Splendid Ice Cream and Board and Brew.

B2M currently serves and supports 700 boys each week, in 30 schools, within nine school districts across San Diego County. But the need for empathy-centered youth mentoring programs is great: Dozens of schools are on a waiting list to access Boys to Men’s life-changing mentoring program.

Photo by Blair Austin, Oceana Digital