Surfers Gather in Brendan’s Memory

AVALON –– “The Brendan,” affectionately named by the surfing community for the Brendan Borek Surf Memorial, celebrated its 18th birthday Aug. 16.
The original contest was held to give emotional and financial support to Brendan Borek on his 18th birthday as the local teen was losing his battle to Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer.
The event has served as the inspiration for Brendan’s Fund, an organization founded by Borek’s family and friends to extend emotional and financial support to Cape May County area families facing the heartbreak and challenges of pediatric cancer.
It has since evolved into one of the largest amateur surf contests in the region and still includes many of the original participants as well as several new surfers who participated in a weeklong series of events leading up to the annual surf contest and circle memorial.
Surfers gathered to form a “circle of friends” in the ocean at noon in memory of Borek with high attendance from family, friends and the public.
The week also included a book signing at Pale Moon Boutique by Jen Miller, author of “A Complete Guide to the Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May,” a Crab Cake Day at Sylvester’s Fish Market & Restaurant, an Artists & Friends Art Show at the Avalon Yacht Club, a pizza event at Circle Pizza, Pancakes at Fishin’ Pier Grille, Movie Night at Community Hall, a Method Skate Jam for Brendan’s Fund hosted by Avalon Recreation Department, the surf contest, memorial service and finally the 18th Annual Homecoming Party at the Windrift Hotel Saturday night.
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.
Brendan’s love for art is displayed every summer by featuring a different piece of his artwork on a T-shirt, which is sold at Pale Moon Boutique at 2170 Dune Drive. For more information visit: www.brendansfund.org.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com