The morning started off with my sister’s computer crashing, which is where all the questions for the interview were. (I knew there was a reason I couldn’t stop looking at her computer as I lay in bed right next to it the night before the event, wondering if I should have pulled them out then.) Thanks to Lori for asking the front desk at the motel she was staying at for the use of their only computer, my heart was able to relax.
We ventured down to the beach at about 8am to help set up. With an unfortunate fuel spill cancelling the surf competition part of Bro-Am, the event continued... along with the quickly added dodgeball competition. The dodgeball competition began shortly after 10 am, consisting of the surfers and participants from the cancelled surf competition, as well as some of the kids from Care House. The hilarious helmets that were to have been used for the surf jousting later that day, quickly found a place on the heads of the team leader in each of the dodgeball teams. Team Switchfoot (which consisted of Jon, Tim, Chad and Tom Curren) won their first round against Macbeth but lost the second round to Jedidiah. Congrats to AKA/loserkids.com which took home surfboards as their trophies as the winner in the dodgeball competition. Great job to those who played. Many spectators got hit but all in all, getting hit was less of a worry with just the excitement of watching and the fun of it all.
The concert began at 11am and lasted until 5 or so with performances by Alex Woodard, This Holiday Life, Tom Curren, kids from Care House, Reeve Oliver, The Jade Shader, Escalera, Jason Mraz, Jon Foreman solo with celloist and appearance by Sean and Sarah Watkins of Nickel Creek and Switchfoot. An encore which consisted of most of the performers came back for one last song, “Surf Wax America” by Weezer. The very talented Drew was the emcee for the event, introducing the bands, Care House kids, raffling off prizes throughout the day and what not. One of my favorites was the surf rack which he said weren’t antlers but that could also be used as a clothes hanger. For some reason I chuckled throughout the day about that everytime it entered my mind. Only Drew. And Jerome. No he wasn’t an emcee and didn’t take part in the dodgeball competition but was there for support. I’m sure there is more to it than that. I know that each and every one of the guys had a special role that led up to this day, including the auction soiree which was held on Wed May 30. When I asked Tim how involved they were in putting this event together and if they had any specific roles, he said that they all had a part and eventually each person fell into a place to fulfill their roles, as in a band...you fall in to your roles for the instruments.
The kids from Care House are an incredible bunch of kids. It was nice to just sit and talk with some of them for a bit and get to know them. Care House Life Ministries is a non profit organization in San Diego County that assists needy and homeless children/teens. To learn more about Care House check out their website: www.carehouselife.org
The weather was overcast but nice. It was cloudy for most of the day with a peek of the sun here or there. But nothing to complain about.
It was take down time after 5 pm which seemed to go by faster than setting up.
After the beach, it was on to the Belly Up Tavern for more music and fun, which I was told was sold out. Performances by Alex Woodard, Tom Curren, Jason Mraz, Jon with Sean and Sarah of Nickel Creek and Switchfoot.
Between the auction, sponsors, vendors, a day at the beach and the afterparty, over $40,000 was raised for Care House. Many thanks to the sponsors, vendors, volunteers and the support to those who made this a huge success. I am so honored to have been a part of Bro-Am 3.
All in all, regardless about the unfortunate fuel spill, people were here for more than just the surf competition. They were here to help give back to the community, supporting a cause and with a smile on their face
It was nice meeting everyone before, during and after the event. Maybe next time I’ll meet more whom I haven’t yet, I am sure.
It’s going to be a tough follow for next year’s Bro-Am 4 with a surf competition? Surf jousting? Another dodgeball competition? We’ll have to wait and see what’s in store for next year.
Very nice, guys!