Surfside Beach to host Ocean Expo and Guy Daniels Memorial Surfoff

SURFSIDE BEACH - The town of Surfside Beach’s first annual Ocean Expo in conjunction with the Guy Daniels Memorial Surfoff is this weekend.

It’s from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16, on the beach between 13th Avenue South and Melody Lane.

The expo gives local water sports businesses (surfing, kite boarding, wind surfing, ocean kayaking, sailing, standup paddle boarding) an opportunity to showcase their products and services.

Demonstrations of various water sports equipment will take place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 15 and Aug. 16 in the ocean between 10th Avenue South and Melody Lane. Participating businesses such as the Sail and Ski Connection will have a tent on the beach near the contest stage to demonstrate their products and services.

The surfoff competition, which is open to males and females of all ages, youth to seniors, will be held 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 15 and 9 a.m. to finish (approximately 4 p.m.) Aug. 16 on the beach at 13th Avenue South.

The surfoff, an annual two-day fund-raiser held in August, supports scholarships for local students, an annual Lifeguard of the Year award and medical needs administered by Horry County School nurses. To date, nearly $20,000 has been raised in support of these programs.

Also, a 20-catamaran sailboat regatta will take place beginning 11 a.m. Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Three to five races are planned each day, with the sailboats racing to Myrtle Beach and back to Surfside Beach. The event includes the sale of hot dogs and T-shirts and raffle of surf-related items.

In addition, the Surfrider Foundation will hold a surfing clinic, offering lessons and tips for surfers of all levels. Clinics will be held between 9 a.m. and noon Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Register at the 13th Avenue South tent.

For more information, visit SurfsideBeach.org or call (843) 913-6111.