Waterman’s at The Ranch returned Saturday after a year’s absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The format was smaller with fewer in attendance and the event moved from the golf course to a patio and ballroom. However, the mood was ebullient given the post Olympics glow and the strength of the surf market in general at the moment.
Lots of top industry executives were there, and there was spirited bidding for items such as a Tavarua Surf Trip, a new 2021 Audi, a night session at Surf Ranch and a vacation at the Billabong Pipeline House with proceeds benefitting environmental organizations that protect the ocean.
Honorees included Carissa Moore as Waterperson of the Year, Dick Metz received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Harper Brothers were honored as Environmentalists of the Year.
Carissa was not in attendance but USA Olympic Surfing Coach Brett Simpson accepted the award on her behalf.
Former SIMA Executive Director Sean Smith also received an award for his 20 years of service to the organization.
Here at SES, we thought the smaller crowd made the evening more intimate with fewer distractions, especially during the ceremony. That meant everyone was able to hear ISA President Fernando Aguerre recount interesting stories from Tokyo, Dick Metz, 92, share racy tales from the early days of surfing and surf exploration, and Peter Harper sing an impromptu spiritual with the crowd serving as backup band.
Below are photos we took from the evening.
Paul Naude of Vissla and Florencia Gomez Gerbi of Greenpacha Hats
Jordan Ogier, Jaimie Foote, Lindsay Henkels and Carrie Piccolini
Team Rip Curl: PJ Connell, Mary Miller, Dylan Slater
The recently retired Vicki Redding of Vans and Shannan North of Boardriders
Joe Brown of O'Neill and Drew Dolkas of Roark
Sarah Reilly with Boardriders' Mike Reilly and Fuzzy Schroeder
ISA President Fernando Aguerre, Alani Aguerre, Cecilia Aguerre, Santiago Aguerre
Leilen Shelton and Boardriders' Jason Shelton
Taryn Tichiaz and husband David Tichiaz of Vans
Lana Blankinship and RVCA's Brad Blankinship
Mike Matey of Reef and Mark Tinkess of O'Neill both sit on the SIMA Board of Directors - SES file photo
Ajai Datta of Boardriders, Diem Culley of Rip Curl and husband, Steve
Brandon Lowery of BSR Surf Ranch, Crystal Hilsley, Bob Graff of Wasserman, and Roy Turner of Surf Expo
Andrea Harvey and Rip Curl's Paul Harvey
Team Reef: Santiago Aguerre, Mike Jensen, Mike Matey and wife, Amy
Karen Sarver of Vissla and Mike Wallace of Billabong
Karen Burke and Peter Burke
Jake Schwaner of Hobie and wife, Tori
Vince De La Pena of Vissla, Dick Metz, Bob Mignogna, John Giangardella
Steven Fisher of Surf Expo, Sawyer Frank of Elastic, Lauren Riehle, Roy Turner of Surf Expo
PT Townend and Joni Casimiro
Peter Harper with a guitar he donated to the auction
Fernando Aguerre recounting stories from Tokyo
Paul Naude welcoming the group to the event
Dick Metz - 92, and still vibrant and frisky
Vipe Desai served as MC for the night
Peter Harper who wowed the crowd with an impromptu song and a passionate environmental message
