ISA President honoured as the Wave Saver of the year by Save The Waves Coalition

San Francisco, CA – Life Is A Wave, the third annual fundraiser event hosted by Save The Waves Coalition in downtown San Francisco, rocked The City last Thursday night, May 14. The evening hosted a best-ever turnout of ocean lovers and surfer environmentalists partying for a cause, and a record-setting $45,000 was raised. By all counts attendees had a fantastic time, packing event venue 111 Minna Gallery for over six hours straight.

The Bay Area’s own Latin-fused hip hop rockers Bayonics headlined the event along with Kapakahi, top DJs and other live music. Multimedia eye candy included film projections over the bar and a live and silent auction of surfboard art, collectible memorabilia, hosted tours and a trip to Indonesia. International Surfing Association president and event honoree Fernando Aguerre had live bidders whipped into a frenzy to help raise funds and awareness for Save The Waves’ 
environmental programs.

Save The Waves presented Fernando with the organization’s 2009 Wave Saver Award for his passionate work defending coastlines and surfing culture around the world. After the event Fernando commented, “I love Save The Waves – they’re on the front lines protecting our surfing coastline, and I totally support their efforts. I’m honored to have received the Wave Saver award, but I’d like to share it with the thousands of wave savers around the world that volunteer in defense of our waves every day.”

Dean LaTourrette, STW's executive director, was unmistakably stoked from the public’s energy at the event. "We're humbled and honored to have such a strong turnout and support for our efforts. Save The Waves' primary mission is an environmental one, but we also have a secondary mission of bringing the community together. Let's face it, we like to throw a good bash, and rally everyone around the cause to protect waves at the same time."

Save The Waves sends an enthusiastic thanks to all of its supporters who attended the event, as well as Life Is A Wave 2009 event sponsors, including Billabong B9, Clif Bar, Jim Beam, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Mavericks, New Belgium Brewing, Ocean Vodka, Patagonia, Quiksilver Foundation, SIGG, Surfline, Zola Acaí, and 1% For The Planet.

About Save The Waves Coalition: Save The Waves is an environmental coalition dedicated to preserving the world's surf spots and their surrounding environments. The organization’s goal is to preserve and protect surfing locations around the planet and to educate the public about their value. Save The Waves works to prevent coastal development from entering the surf zone. Save the Waves is a 501(c)3 non-profit. http://www.savethewaves.org

About Fernando Aguerre: Fernando Aguerre is a surfer and philanthropist from Argentina who founded the surf mega-brand Reef in the 1980s after opening one of Argentina’s first surf shops with his brother. He is one of the driving forces behind the International Surfing Association as well as numerous other surf-related philanthropic causes. If you’ve heard of a successful surf-related cause helping the environment and society, Fernando’s enthusiastic and contagious fervor is probably behind it. Fernando draws deep inspiration from the sea and he surfs as much as possible at home in San Diego, California.

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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