Surfers Honor Memory of Brendan Borek at 21st Annual Event

BRENDAN
AVALON — “Thank you!,” shouted Brett Staino, 4, to the crowd gathered on the 30th Street Beach at the 21st Annual Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund Circle of Friends surf contest.
Joining the lad for his spotlight moment on the stage under bright sunshine was his mother, Shannon Staino and father Jeff Staino of Swainton. To their left was Lydia Borek, director of the foundation that has helped many Cape May County pediatric cancer patients and their families. It was the annual moment, just before many of her late son’s friends grabbed their surfboards and headed into the rolling waves.
Shannon Staino said her son was diagnosed at 15 months old with Wilms Tumor, a form of cancer.
“The Brendan Borek Fund was the first to contact us,” she said, recalling that time “no parent wants to hear.”
She said the Borek Fund assisted their family with financial assistance, with lodging, groceries and even gifts at holidays.
“Most importantly, they offered us emotional support when we needed it most,” Staino added.
“Lydia and the fund is not just an organization, it is a part of our family,” she said.
Given the microphone, little Brett, who earlier held up four fingers to show his age, shouted, “Thank you!” That drew a hearty round of applause from the assembled crowd that filled the beachfront.
After a reading of names of those helped, who had passed on, as well as the names of other being assisted, the company of surfers, many wearing floral petals around their necks to toss into the ocean at the Circle of Friends conclusion, headed over the sand into the sea.
Lydia Borek and husband, Ron Borek, joined the parade. She stopped to kiss several well-wishers. At water’s edge, she rolled up her pants as waves rolled over the feet of the crowd.
The Boreks watched that circle grow before their eyes. The chain of surfers formed, held hands high, and then remembered Brendan, who loved to surf, and who never lived to fulfill his wishes of graduating high school and turning 21.
In a few sort minutes, the water turned white with splashing of the surfers, and the memorial was over. Each surfer awaited the right wave, and rode to shore.
Throughout the day, surf heats were held for all age groups.
Throughout the year, Brendan’s Fund raises funds to help support its mission to assist Cape May County families who have a child of young adult with cancer. The community continued to show a tremendous outpouring of support for those events, according to a release.
The day concluded with the 21st Annual Homecoming Fiesta Party at Community Hall from 4-7 p.m. The menu was simple and kid-friendly, tacos and games for children.