The first ever official, Movember event went down spectacularly last Saturday (26th November) with the East London surf community coming out to support the “Mo of Fortune” surf event at Buccaneers, East Beach. A retro day at the beach was had surfing funky boards, shooting tequila and ending things off with a Jack Parrow concert all in support of men’s health.
Some of the East London locals frothing out for a good cause © Louis Wulff
The East London Movember community have been one of the largest private fundraising groups in the country for the last few years. To reward and assist their efforts, Movember decided it was time to bring Jack Parow to perform and enlist the team behind the highly successful, Rolling Retro surf event, to do a small retro surf contest for the community.
Michael Monk busts a funky tail. © Louis Wulff
Robby McDonald and Kai Linder flew up from Cape Town with a small collection of classic surfboards and over 40 surfers joined in for an afternoon of fun, small waves, lots of laughs and some impressive old school surf style. All the entry fees were donated to the Movember movement and most of the surfers were sporting hair on their top lips to help raise awareness for mens health.
All ages were welcome. lhea Johnston and Ethan Currin get in on the action. © Louis Wulff
With El Jimador tequila the official sponsor, the party got started early and made for a festive event. Ryan Heathcote, affectionately known as Bugs, was the standout surfer, with his cruizy retro style he impressed everyone gathered on the deck. He would fight off some stiff competition to be awarded the best surfer and winning a beautiful print from local photographer, Pierre de Villiers.
After a beautiful afternoon, the lights came on, the party got started and SA’s favourite Mo Ambassador charged onto the stage for an electric performance of his greatest hits. The East London community had not seen, Jack Parow live for quite some time and they went absolutely crazy! Once again all ticket sales were being donated to the Movember cause, so not only did everyone have a good time, but they went home feeling good about supporting Mens Health.
Busting out to Movember supporter Jack Parrow. © Louis Wulff
Some of the awards handed out at the event were:
Best hang 5 – Tyrell Johnson
Best Carve – Mitchell Henderson
Best Head Stand – Luka Malherbe
Best Wave – Michael Monk
Best grom – Reille Mare & Ethan Currin
Best Wipeout – Wayne Monk
Best Girl – Tayla Dearning
Best Guy – Ryan Bugs Heathcote
An unidentified surfer taking one of the old boards out for a spin. © Pierre De Villiers
Thanks go to Movember, El Jimador Tequila, Vudu Surf, Dead Reckoning, Oakhampton B&B, Movember East London, Louis Wullf, Pierre De Villiers and Buccaneers!
*Featured Image By: Louis Wulff / Tyrell Johnson on a flying fish.
