The Crowd

B.W. Cook

Luau for Life will be presented tonight at the Hyatt Newporter. The

surf- and sunset-inspired evening will be centered around the hot surf

band the Swingin’ Tikis, with mai tais flowing, hula dancers swaying and

plenty of excitement stirred up by organizers Sandra Weiner, Jayne Lally,

Tammi Cluck, Jamie Klippert, Robin Schwartz and Lauren Johnson.

The Newport Beach women, all surfers, have planned the event around

the essence of Newport social life -- the beach. The fun will benefit

cancer research at Hoag Hospital.

Actually, the surf party is sponsored by an organization called Paddle

for the Cure, with Mike Rogers at the helm. Rogers is a marathon athlete

who organized Paddle for the Cure five years ago in honor and in memory

of his father-in-law who died from cancer.

On Aug. 27, Rogers will participate in a race from Catalina Island to

Manhattan Beach-- 32 miles -- as part of his continuing tribute and to

help raise more funds for cancer research at Hoag Hospital, Newport

Beach. To date, Rogers has raised in excess of $200,000 for the hospital.

“The race is a symbolic parallel to the physical struggles that a

cancer patient must endure,” offered Hoag’s Maria Ramsay. More than 500

guests are expected to help that struggle this evening. Tickets are

available at the door. For moreinformation or reservations, call Ramsay

at (949) 760-5916.

Another major water-oriented summer event will take place Friday at

the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The 11th annual Waterman’s Ball,

sponsored by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn., will attract a large

contingent of the Newport-Mesa surf society to the Dana Point evening

tribute, which calls for creative dress/black tie optional.

You know what that means--bow tie on bare chest with paisley surf jams

and fins. The event will honor Jack O’Neill, with special recognition

paid to surf environmentalists Susan Crank and Tom Knapp.

“Surfing America” awards will go to Keala Kennelly and Shea Lopez. The

$175-per-person evening will benefit a variety of water-related needs

including the Alaska Wilderness League, American Oceans Campaign, Heal

the Bay, Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project, Ocean Institute, and

the Surfrider Foundation.

Local association members participating include Dick Baker of Ocean

Pacific, Mark Daly of Quiksilver, Richard Cram of Rip Curl, Joy Horowitz

of Sugar and Spice, and Mark Tinkless of O’Neill.

Peter Townsend of Surfing, Surfing Girl, and Bodyboard magazines

serves as the association’s president.

Also involved are Lido Isle’s Tom Holbrook, Bob McNight, Michael

Tomson, Liam Ferguson and Kevin Meehan. For reservations and information,

as well as advice on proper surf attire for the evening, call (818)

986-7990.