Brendan Borek week of activity begins

The Brendan Borek Surf Memorial—known as ‘the Brendan,’—celebrates its 19th anniversary Aug. 15. The original contest was held to give emotional and financial support to Brendan Borek on his 18th birthday as the Avalon teen was losing his valiant battle to Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer.
The event served as the inspiration for the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund (Brendan’s Fund), an organization founded by Brendan’s family and friends after his death in 1991.
Since 1992, the organization has continued its mission of emotional and financial support for local children suffering the effects of pediatric cancer and its consequences.
Our week of activities begins on Aug. 8 with Hyperflex’s Beach Splash at the Golden Inn and ends with the main event: The Brendan Borek Surf Memorial.
The Surf Memorial has evolved into one of the largest amateur surf contests in the region. It has come full circle and still includes many of the original participants, numerous new surfers, and four women’s divisions.
Registration for the surf contest is now open and all surfers are invited to participate. Registration can be found on our website, www.brendansfund.org.
The highlight of the day is the Circle of Friends Memorial that takes place at noon, as participants and spectators are invited to remember loved ones and friends.
Another feature is the Beach Concert. Davis Concert Staging (DCS) has a great line-up of bands for the day: R3 Band, The Silence, Three Legged Fox, Ballyhoo!, and Don McCloskey.
The day is capped off by “The Homecoming Party” from 6-9 p.m. at the Avalon Community Hall. The Rocktologists—a group of local physicians—will be performing.
Due to the increasing support of the community, “the Brendan” has evolved into a weeklong series of events leading up to the annual surf contest.
In addition to surfing, Brendan had a love for art, which was a catalyst for The Artists and Friends Art Show at the Avalon Yacht Club a few years ago. The Art Show has become a popular event in the community and invites all artists to participate.
Our Thursday evening Movie Night will feature “Dear & Yonder,” which is on its national tour. Friday, Method Skate and Avalon Recreation host the Skate Jam at the Skate Park on 30th Street.
Brendan’s love for art is displayed every summer by featuring a different piece of his artwork on a tee shirt. The tee shirts are on sale at Dunehouse, 2170 Dune Drive, and will be on sale at the surf contest.
Schedule of events
August
• 8: 2-7 p.m.
Hyperflex Beach Splash, Golden Inn (rain date: Aug. 9) No entrance fee. Drink and lunch specials benefit Brendan’s Fund. Raffle prizes include merchandise by nationally recognized surf manufacturers. Reggae music by “The Ragamuffins.”
• 10: All day
Crab Cake Day, Sylvester’s Fish Market & Restaurant, 21st St. and 5th Ave. Serving crab cakes 11 a.m. to closing. Net proceeds donated to Brendan’s Fund.
• 11: Artist & Friends Art Show, Avalon Yacht Club, 7th St. and the bay. Tickets are $15, $5 for kids 10 and under, 6-9 p.m. Sushi, Surf ’N Sushi, 26th St. and Dune Drive, all day.
• 12: Pizza, Circle Pizza, 2108 Dune Drive.
• 13: Pancakes, Fishin’ Pier Grille, 32nd St. and Boardwalk.
Movie Night, Community Hall, 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $5, free for kids 6 and under. Feature Film is “Dear & Yonder.”
Shop “Nine” from 6-10 p.m., 141 12th St.
• 14: Method Skate Jam for Brendan’s Fund hosted by Avalon Recreation Department. Free entry skate contest at the Avalon Skate Park, 29th St. and Boardwalk.
Celebrity Cheesesteaks, McCool’s Café & Tea Room, all day. Cape May County “celebrities” cook up some cheesesteaks.
• 15 All events at 30th St. and the beach.
19th Annual Surf Contest: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Online pre-registration required.
Circle of Friends Ceremony, noon.
19th Annual Homecoming Party, Community Hall: 6-9 p.m. $15 admission and food (Kids 6 and under are free). Cash bar, Music by “The Rocktologists.”