By Travis Clark
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Switchfoot’s annual Bro-Am, a free concert and surfing event at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California. Switchfoot, an alternative rock band and surfing enthusiasts from San Diego, founded the event to raise money for various local organizations whose goal is to help homeless and troubled youth.
The charity event, presented by sponsor Hurley, kicks off July 11 with an Auction Night Soiree, featuring a performance from Switchfoot, silent and live auctions, tastings from local restaurants, and much more.
It’s on July 12 that the festivities really begin, ones that make this the band’s most anticipated day of the year since the event started in 2005. The surf contest runs from 7:00am – 3:30pm, and the concert rocks from 12:00pm – 5:00pm. The line-up will be announced soon.
So what exactly keeps the band coming back year after year? In an interview with Music for Good, drummer Chad Butler explained that as much fun as they may have, it’s always been about and for the kids. “It’s a great thing to see people coming together and raising finances for them – letting them know that they matter and their story matters.”
Not only is the event for the kids, but it gets them involved as well. Kids will have the chance to compete in the 3rd Annual Rob Machado Bro Junior surf contest, named after renowned pro surfer, Rob Machado. The kids will get the chance to compete on Rob Machado surf boards, and can enter for free if they bring clothes to donate, rather than giving monetary donations.
The Bro-Am is committed to environmental efforts as well, avoiding avoid CO2 emissions by using solar power to rock the day (and pollution) away.
And if you can’t catch the action in person? The Bro-Am will strive to perfect last year’s live web cast so supporters from anywhere can join in on the fun. What’s not to like?
Click here for further information about the 10th Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am.