Surfers Helping Kids Event Comes to Cocoa Beach

Surfers Helping Kids: Agape in Action (S.H.a.K.a) -- a Cocoa Beach based nonprofit focused on serving children in need -- aims to bring the local community together to celebrate a shared love of surfing and ocean sports, and raise money for at-risk kids both locally and internationally.

The second annual Boom-SHaKa-Loco Silly Surf Social takes place Saturday, November 17, starting at 8 a.m., at Lori Wilson Park North in Cocoa Beach, FL. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. This is not a traditional surf contest, but rather a fun, goofy, laugh-until-you-cry display of surfing at its silliest. In place of traditional competitive divisions, the event will feature divisions such as “The Brutal Noodle” (where surfers on soft boards whack each other with pool noodles until only one remains), “Raft Riders” (participants ride waves on inflatable rafts), “Crazy Costume” division, an Adaptive Surfers division, and more.

Here's the need-to-know info ...

• All money raised by S.H.a.K.a goes toward providing children - in Brevard and Central America - with basic needs and positive experiences.

• S.H.a.K.a serves local children through surfing-based experiences, as well as through collaboration with existing organizations and agencies already doing great work.

• To date, S.H.a.K.a has traveled to impoverished communities in El Salvador twice on “Surf & Serve” missions, which brought clean water, healthcare supplies, clothing, groceries, and community enrichment activities to Salvadoran orphans and families in need.

• This is an example of a community coming together for action - S.H.a.K.a’s board of directors includes key members of the local community - including Cocoa Beach Mayor, Ben Malik and City Commissioner Ed Martinez, Pastor Mark Reynolds, and more. Sponsorships for this event encompass a wide range of Brevard-based businesses.

• Attendance and registration are completely free for this kid/family friendly event.

• Awards for silly division winners are hand-carved wooden tikis, crafted by a Salvadoran artisan.

• Our Adaptive Surfers division will feature surfers of all ages with physical, cognitive and physiological challenges. The goal is inclusiveness and good vibes for all!

• Non-surfing activities at the event will include: an interactive demonstration by the Lokahi Outrigger Canoe Club; skateboard deck painting led by local artists (free); a “silly sandy triathlon” for kids; food trucks; SUP demos; a raffle featuring thousands of dollars in prizes; a beach clean-up and more.

• Did we mention it’s hilarious, positive and healthy entertainment for the whole family?  

All questions regarding the Boom SHaKa Loco event should be directed to event director Michelle Mulak. Reach Michelle via email - MichelleMulak23@gmail.com, or via phone/text 321-403-8421.

More information on Surfers Helping Kids, including examples of the good work done so far, can be found at SurfersHelpingKids.org // Follow Surfers Helping Kids on Facebook.com/SurfersHelpingKids, or on Instagram @SurfersHelpingKids

Photos courtesy of Surfers Helping Kids