The surf industry has gathered in coastal Orange County for the Waterman’s Weekend fundraiser for ocean conservation causes for some 27 years. In a shocking move, this year the surfers moved their big event inland… but only as far as the inland side of PCH. The Waterman’s Ball was held on the grounds of cool, new The Ranch at Laguna Beach resort. The al fresco evening is the event of the year for the global fashion and sports industry based in OC, and true to its world status the evening honored two Australians (pro surfer Mick Fanning as Waterman of the Year and surfer, shaper and inventor Simon Anderson with the Lifetime Achievement Award) and a Chilean (Ramón Navarro as Environmentalist of the Year). The weekend began with the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament at Monarch Beach Golf Links. Over the past 26 years, the SIMA Environmental Fund has raised more than $7 million for organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving oceans, beaches and surf breaks, both locally and globally. This year’s event drew some 500 and raised another $400,000 for 18 conservation groups, including locals like Ocean Institute, Orange County Coastkeeper and Surfrider Foundation.
