“Legendary” Surf Contest and Luau Raises More than $600,000
for Research at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center

14^th Annual Luau & Longboard Invitational tops fundraising and attendance records.

More than 700 guests, surfing legends, scientists, business leaders, cancer patients and survivors came together to attend the 14^th Annual Luau & Longboard Invitational on Sunday, August 19 at the waters near the Scripps Institution of Oceanography pier, in La Jolla.   The event set an attendance record and raised more than $600,000 for cancer research at the Moores Cancer Center, at the University of California, San Diego. By combining the “aloha spirit” of surfing with the business and scientific community in a friendly but competitive surf contest, this event has raised $2.6 million since 1993. 

l-r: The winning team from Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Sam Iacobellis; Gino Passalacqua (holding trophy); Drew Lucas (rear next to surfboard); Craig Knox (event chair); Paul Grayson (event chair); Spencer Kawamoto; Steve Walden (legend); Jessica Carilli; and Greg Mitchell (alternate surfer). Photo credit: Kim Bly

Co-chairs Paul Grayson and Craig Knox graciously presented a symbolic check of proceeds to Dennis Carson, M.D., director of the Moores Cancer Center, at the close of the Luau's spirited live auction, held under the festive Luau tent on Pawka Green.  

“The community's aloha spirit is the reason for this event's success,” said Grayson. “We cannot beat this disease individually, but together we have a chance to find better ways to treat and prevent cancer.” 

During the Luau, the committee honored Linda Olson, M.D., professor of clinical radiology at UCSD and an imaging specialist at the Moores Cancer Center, with the “Rell Sunn – Queen of Makaha Award.”  The award, in memory of a Hawaiian surfer who succumbed to breast cancer, recognized Olson's exceptional commitment to the fight against cancer, through her dedication to patients, teaching, and the community. 

Many longtime Luau supporters were in attendance, including event founders Sam Armstrong and John Otterson, plus former chairs Steve Blank, Fred Borrelli,  Paul Cleary, Eric Cusick, Hank Guyader, Sam Iacobellis, Charla and Paul Mullen, Murray Palmer, Ken Powers, Greg Rose, and Ben Wood. Among the 27 surfing teams vying for trophies were those of title sponsor Genentech, the Walton Family (last year's contest winner), and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which took home this year's trophy. 

As part of its title sponsorship, Genentech continued a Luau & Longboard Invitational tradition of supporting a “Thrivers Team” comprised of surfers who have successfully fought cancer.  

The chance to paddle alongside top surfing legends has earned this event an international reputation among surfing enthusiasts in the business and surfing worlds. More than 45 surf legends, including “Endless Summer” film director Bruce Brown, surfboard shapers Rusty Preisendorfer, Steve Walden and Micky Munoz, local surfers Debbie Beacham and Skip Frye, attended as special guests, surf team members, or as donors of one-of-a-kind boards for auction.  

“This event is not possible without each and every individual and contribution,” said Knox. “From the generosity of our title sponsor Genentech, to the businesses that sponsor teams or donate auction items, to all of our volunteers:  we thank the entire community for their support.”