The joy of surfing and the lucrative ideal of being a surf brand in the beach cities meet this Saturday in Hermosa Beach for the South Bay’s largest surf festival. The event acts as a gathering point between soulful and commercial by honoring surf industry brands, local businesses and some of the most influential names of South Bay’s surfing past and present. This Saturday, April 4th Spyder Surf Shop and contributing sponsors present 8th Annual Surf Festwhich goes off around 11:00 a.m. as the city of Hermosa Beach inducts four new individuals into the “Surfers’ Walk of Fame”, including Spyder Surf founder Dennis Jarvis, along with Chris Barela, Mike Benavidez and Derek Levy.
Jarvis, a graduate of Mira Costa High School, competed at the pro level of surfing before starting his surfboard shaping business Spyder Surf in 1978. He’s been a long-time fan, resident and event architect of Hermosa Beach and its surfing roots with a knack for bringing snow to Pier Avenue around the holidays. Jarvis also taught the entire cast members of classic surf flick “Point Break” how to surf including the late Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves and Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis.
Following Hermosa Beach’s induction ceremony, all types of swag giveaways, high-fives, live music, the LA Surf Awards, art and interactive surf brand booths hallmark the event till about 7:00p.m. Live music rolls in and out throughout the day at the base of the pier with performances from the likes of The Bixby Dicks with Derek and Mark Levy, LIFE featuring MOI from Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds, plus local favorites Kevin Sousa, Soul on Tap & Lose Control.
The LA Surf Awards form a party wave around noon on the Hermosa Pier Plaza and recognize individuals and brands that have had an exceptional year; guest presenters Bob Hurley, Jim Lindberg of Pennywise and South Bay pro surfer Alex Grey.
Typically, the night before every Surf Fest starts with a movie and fundraising event, this year features a live adaptation of aforementioned “Point Break” (you know the movie) done by actors accompanied by random audience members who are selected during the show. The parody “Point Break Live” is Friday night at Hermosa Beach Playhouse but it has already sold out. Proceeds form the event benefit the city to help balance the cost of the Surfers Walk of Fame, Hermosa Arts Foundation and Hermosa Beach Historical Society.
8th Annual Spyder Surf Fest (Image Courtesy of Making Waves Communications)