Ken Whalen Surf Challenge: Free Contest for San Diego Surf Groms
If you have a little surfer at home, there’s no better chance to deepen their connection to the ocean and gain confidence than the Ken Whalen Surf Challenge.
The Ken Whalen Surf Challenge was founded to honor the memory of Ken Whalen, a local San Diego surfer and entrepreneur who was especially dedicated to supporting the Challenged Athletes Foundation. On Sunday, Sept. 7, the 11th annual contest will return to the shores of Mission Beach.
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., young surfers and surf kids aged 4 to 14 will take to the water to show off their surfing abilities, gain confidence, and generally have a great time with family and friends at the beach.
While the event is much more focused on fun than competition, there will still be swag, prizes, and more — including a free commemorative t-shirt for participants. Better yet, there’s no entry fee to enter the event, but RSVPs are highly recommend and can be made here.
The Ken Whalen Surf Challenge is especially meant to encourage kids to deepen their connection to the sport of surfing. This includes adaptive surfers from the Challenged Athletes Foundation and kids at Rady Children’s Hospital, two of the event’s partners.
Along with surfing and good vibes, there will also be breakfast, lunch, and games for the entire family at the event, which will be located at San Fernando Place in Mission Beach.
Want to help your little surfer gain cofidence in the ocean? Check out the Little Groms Surf Camp, which are held multiple times a year in San Diego.
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Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
