The 9th Annual Lip-Rippin’ Chilympics Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Grand Strand Surfrider Foundation was held Sunday, Oct. 12th at Spuds Waterfront in Murrells Inlet, SC under partly cloudy skies, cool breezes and 29 chilis from 22 competitors from as close as Murrells Inlet to as far away as Charleston. The estimated crowd of 3,000 plus enjoyed music from The Highliners, Sawgrass, The Regime, Free Beer and Ten Toes Up while tasting chilis ranging from Smoked Tuna Chili (Bimini’s) to ExxOFF (Doug Wendel and Matt Ellis) to Chili Gone Wild (Spuds Waterfront).

New South Brewing also wowed the crowd with their Octoberfest, India Pale Ale, White and Nut Brown Ales on tap all day, and we would like to recognize their generous donation once again to this event.

We can’t thank our supporters, competitors and volunteers enough, without whom this event would not be the great success that it is year after year. This year the chapter raised $12,000 to support upcoming projects and programs for 2009. Check our new website at www.surfridergrandstrand.org and sign up for the e-newsletter for future information.

Carl Kerridge has posted photos from the day (available for purchase): http://www.carlkerridge.com/v/Events/2008_001/chil/?g2_enterAlbum=1

Congratulations to raffle winners Marc Baudet who took home the Webber surfboard from Xtreme Surf Shop, and Billy Arnold for winning the Surf the Earth kayak!

Thanks must go out to our judges, seasoned pros and newcomers alike, who volunteer their time and taste buds to our event each year, and who do such a wonderful job with all of these great chilis. Additionally we would like to thank Mayor Allen Deaton, of Surfside Beach, who in addition to judging took on emcee duties and was a crowd pleaser.

Special thanks to the Seth and the staff of the Spuds Waterfront, Dave and the guys from New South Brewing Co., and our tireless volunteers – the brothers of the Delta Chi fraternity at Coastal Carolina University who were a huge help this year; the CCU Rugby Club volunteers; the Wilburn family; Robbie and Cindy; Jared, Curt and Julie for all of their help beforehand; Zachary for being a great organizer and emcee; and especially to Adam Janis, chapter president, who put in tons of time and energy to make this happen. Thank you all!

We’d also like to thank the bands for volunteering their time, talent and equipment, and a special thanks to Seth Funderburk for organizing the bands and equipment so the day would run smoothly. You guys are the best, and we really appreciate your efforts!

And I’d like to thank my family for their patience and understanding over the past few weeks working on this event, they’ve been great and supportive and helpful, and I couldn’t do things like this without them – so thanks Curt, Zachary, Joshua, Nina, Noah, Frankie, Mike and Michael!

And last but not least, thanks to everyone who came to the event and support Surfrider – you made it the best year ever! Thanks!

2008 Winners

Hottest

1st “Soul Burn” Bovine’s, Christopher Woodruff

2nd “Drop Your Shorts and Run” Tim Head

Best Vegetarian

1st “Seitan! Seitan! Seitan!” Pawleys Island Tavern, Cory McNair

2nd “Smoked Tuna Chili” Bimini’s Oyster Bar, Dennis Genault

Best Theme

1st “Jamaican Yum-Yum” Jason Sawadske and Craig Steffans

2nd “Hot Sexy Chili” Hamburger Heaven

Most Original

1st “Salmon White Bean Chili” Divine Fish House, Sean Christensen

2nd “Buffalo Chicken Wing Chili” The Melting Pot, Tommy Long

People’s Choice (determined by tickets sold combined with voting by attendees)

1st “Lost Sailor’s Steak and Shrimp Chili” David Allen

2nd “401K Chili” Todd Caton

Best Restaurant

1st “Southern Brewer’s Chili” Quigley’s Pint and Plate

2nd “The Super Bowl of Chili” Dagwood’s Deli, Jonathan Staton

Best Overall

1st “Pipeline Nioi Hala-Kahiki Moa Kili (Spicy Pineapple and Chicken Chili)” Curt Hein

2nd “Lost Sailor’s Steak and Shrimp Chili” David Allen

Thanks again everyone, and we’ll see you for next year’s cook-off on Sunday, Oct. 18th at Spuds!

The South Strand Surfriders will hold a benefit on Sunday, March 26th at the from 2 til 9 p.m. at the Pawleys Island Tavern in Pawleys Island, SC.  The benefit is free, donations accepted.

A raffle for prizes from area businesses as well as a new, custom-made surfboard from Spindrift will be held. We will also have a pair of tickets to the Switchfoot show at House of Blues on Apr. 1st that will be given away!

Featured bands: Painted Man, The Highliners, Sawgrass, Drew Anthony Band and Biscuit & Gravy.

Please come out and join the fun, get information on Surfrider, volunteer for upcoming projects and enjoy the bands, food and drink specials and a good time for a good cause!

For more information, please contact Bruxanne 333-2034 or e-mail bruxanne@yahoo.com

Thanks to all who braved the rain and cool weather to support local artists and conservation groups last night at the 1st Annual “Who Cares” Art Show and Christmas Party sponsored by the New South Brewing Company, Twin Fin Wines, Grand Strand Surfriders, Winyah Sierra Club and Audubon Society.   Over 200 people attended the show, which featured 8 local artists displaying a variety of works.

This event raised over $2,500 in toys and donations for the Toys for Tots drive, and combined food, folks and fun for a good cause.

Special thanks to Adam Janis, Julie Farmer, Meg King and Jared Hendrix for all of their work (and the great food they brought) to make this event happen – and we hope to see you all next year!

The Grand Strand Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, the Winyah Sierra Club and Audubon Society invite you to attend the “Who Cares?” Christmas Party and Art Show Thursday, Dec. 8th from 7-10 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot.

8-10 local artists will have a variety of art for sale, including paintings, photography, sculpture and stained glass. Light appetizers will be served. Beer provided by New South Brewing Company; wine and soft drinks will also be available.

Admission is one unwrapped toy per person. Please bring an unwrapped toy for entry to the art show, all toys will be donated to the local TOYS FOR TOTS organization to be distributed to less fortunate families for the holidays.

Please come out and support your local conservation groups and the artists who assist us in furthering our goals. Who cares? WE DO!
For more information, please contact Bruxanne 333-2034 or Jared 626-8822.

Happy Holidays!

Buddy Locklear and the Surfrider Foundation would like to thank all of those who were treated to a great art show this past Wednesday night at the Litchfield Exchange. An estimated 80 to 100 people attended the show.

Buddy Locklear unveiled 12 new paintings in the show, many with hand carved frames, a craft he recently began doing.  The show ran from 7 -9:30, and was catered by the Blue Elephant of Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island Tavern, and I.D. Studios owner Marina Hearle cooked up several tastey hawaiianan dishes.  The paintings will be on display at the gallery til Oct 10th.  Surfrider would like to thank Buddy for his contribution to the Grand Strand Surfrider.