63.7 F
Laguna Hills
Thursday, Jun 18, 2026

EVENTS: What a Ball!

Scenes from business, social, charity and other events

About 700 attendees—including many of the surf apparel industry’s biggest names—dressed in their finest for the Aliso Viejo-based Surf Industry Manufacturers Association’s (SIMA) 22nd annual Waterman’s Ball.

Attendees included Irvine-based Billabong USA President Paul Naude, and Bob McKnight, chief executive of Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver Inc., among others.

The Aug. 12 event at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, helped raise more than $400,000 as part of the annual Waterman’s Weekend fundraiser that also included a golf tournament.

The money went to 20 nonprofit organizations dedicated to ocean preservation.

A dinner recognized three industry standouts.

The Waterman of the Year award went to big-wave surfer Greg Long.

SIMA honored former Malibu Mayor Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner as Environmentalist of the Year.

Surfer and surfboard shaper George Downing, who was recently inducted into the Surfer’s Hall of Fame, received the Lifetime Achievement award.

Kari Hamanaka

Want more from the best local business newspaper in the country?

Sign-up for our FREE Daily eNews update to get the latest Orange County news delivered right to your inbox!

Would you like to subscribe to Orange County Business Journal?

One-Year for Only $99

  • Weekly in-depth coverage in print and digital formats
  • Special Features: OC's Wealthiest, Top Priced Home Sales, Giving Guide, OC500, Charity Event Guide, Best Places to Work, Indispensables, Largest Charitable Gifts
  • The annual Book of Lists: Orange County's top companies across every industry

Featured Articles

Related Articles