ALONG COMES MARY

Remember when I was a Wave Rebel a few Summers back? I still dream of getting up early, jumping on my (er…boogy) board & catching some waves. Until then, I was so excited to learn more about the popular Surf Rodeo out in beautiful Ventura & to be invited out there to see the vendors, food, beach and, of course, the SURFING! 😉

The waves along the California coast are filled with surfers year-round but Surf Rodeo wrangles up an unusual, quirky crowd of beach combers each summer – surf cowboys! Surf Rodeo is the brainchild of JD Drury, a skilled professional in the surf, skate and music industries. Drury’s mission for Surf Rodeo was to bring the highly competitive, cut-throat, serious atmosphere of today’s surf competitions back to its relaxed roots, where fun always comes first.

This year’s 7th (offering food and craft goods), beach bucking bull rides, a kid’s corral, a bikini cowgirl roundup, two beer gardens and two music stages showcasing a nationally recognized musical lineup. Exciting, must- see musicians include, Pato Banton; Cisco Adler; and Australia-based Lime Cordiale. Surf Rodeo will also incorporate live auctions and raffles with proceeds donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Ventura; The Girls Empowerment Workshop; and A Walk on Water. This year’s prizes include a fully restored 1977, two-toned white and yellow Volkswagen Van, brought back to life by the helping hands of local community businesses (LPC Automotive Group, Noble Fabrication and others), and two surfboards made by pro surfer, Dane Reynolds, which will be used in the Surf Rodeo then auctioned off with proceeds going to A Walk on Water and The Girls Empowerment Workshop. Annual Surf Rodeo will feature eccentric surf contests, street fair with 70+ vendors.

The Surf Rodeo competition begins at 7:00a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 12th at The Ventura Pierpoint Beach, located along Seaward Avenue. Music festival and beer gardens open at 11:00a.m., located on the beach, and street festival hours are Sunday 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m. and Sunday 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m.

For more information, including tickets, band lineup and more, please visit www.surfrodeo.org or call (805) 628-9083. Follow Surf Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SurfRodeo for up-to-date event information! xo

(*Disclosure: I am being provided press comps in exchange for features. All opinions, as always, are my own!)