‘Surf For A Cause’ Generates Immense Swell of Support for Cancer Research

Local professional surfer Ian Bloch of Margate surfs for the winning team (Absecon Island) in the South Jersey Boardriders team competition in the 19th annual Surf For A Cause on Saturday, Sept. 7 in Margate. (Photo courtesy of Michael Wright/ Sparkable)

MARGATE CITY, N.J. – With ideal surfing conditions on the water, the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation made a big impact for people with cancer on Saturday.

The 19th annual Surf For A Cause raised more than $20,000 on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Decatur Avenue beach in Margate. More than 75 people participated in the surfing contest and the Surf It Forward fundraising campaign with hundreds more attending throughout the day.

Both Brynn Gallagher, 11, of Ocean City, who swept the Women’s divisions and her father, Chad Gallagher, who won first place in the Master’s division, celebrate on the beach at the 19th annual Surf For A Cause Saturday, Sept. 7 in Margate (Photo courtesy of Michael Wright/ Sparkable)

“It’s incredible to see the support from the surfing community after 19 years,” said foundation president Mark Zappone of Linwood in a press release. “It was a great day on the beach and it was an honor to recognize past president and longtime board member Dan Cellucci for all his contributions to the DRCF over the years.”

The top fundraisers were Michelle Barbara and Cole Larson and each won a custom-shaped surfboard from Brian Wynn Surfboards, that will be built to their specifications. Second-place fundraisers were James and Michael Carr and each was presented with a Hamboards skateboard designed to mimic a surfboard in its riding style. The third-place fundraisers, Colin and Cody Schwiem, each received a gift certificate to Heritage Surf and Sport in Margate. Carter Hanin also received an honorable mention for his fundraising efforts.

The Icla da Silva Foundation, a recruitment center for the Be The Match Registry, registered people for the National Marrow Donor Program on Saturday. The Danbees and Jo-Jo From the Jo-Jo and Scotty Morning Show on 100.7 WZXL were also there to provide entertainment for the after party, which was held at Ventura’s Greenhouse.

Members of the South Jersey Boardriders Club served as judges for the surfing contest and held a stand alone, tag-team style competition with participants joining forces to represent local regions. The Absecon Island team took home the honors in this uniquely formatted surfing competition.

This isn’t the only successful fundraising event held by the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation this year, as we wrote about their Paddle For A Cause fundraiser back in May.

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