By Thomas Lynn
White sand, rolling waves and a young surfer taming the wild ocean, the projector at the first Surfnight Cinema event took the whole audience on a vacation without any need for a stressful plane ride.
It may have been an event to raise money for the surf club, but the atmosphere was as formal as a day at the beach with friends and family. Patrick Gingras, a surf club member, kept the crowd loose and entertained with his easy-going presence on the News-Journal Center stage.
With a little more than three months of planning, the surf club, a Daytona State College group with 15 to 18 active members, sponsored by supportive local surf shops, gathered up prizes to raffle off for the event. During the surfing video’s, Gingras would interrupt to announce the winners of raffle prizes, ranging from hand-made key chains to the grand prize — a surf board.
“This was a trail run,” said Gingras, “we tested the waters, it was a hit and we got great feedback.”
Even with a crowd of 80 plus people, there was a plethora of gifts to be handed out. Later in the night, the surf club members just began throwing yellow goody bags into the audience and handing them out to any wanting little child. It was clear they had planned for a bigger showing but for the “trail run,” the surf club has nothing to be disappointed about.
For the Surf Clubs Advisor, Bruce Cook, the event came just short of his greatest expectation of 100 people. “I was very happy with the turn out; I think we came really close.” Said cook.
Colleges all up and down Florida come together to compete in Regionals and with the national competition held in California, it’s understandable that the club needs to put on events like this to earn extra cash.
“We have a solid team this year,” and Gingras thinks their chances look good when California comes around. Until then, the Club will continue to meet and plan future events that will never stop evolving.