By Trinity Harrison, Staff Writer
After six months of strategic planning, local surf enthusiasts have brought the eighth annual Throwdown Surf Classic back to the Outer Banks. This year’s competition starts at 8 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 17) at the Chicahauk beach access in Southern Shores and will feature prizes and trophies for the surfers along with food and other fun for the spectators.
The Throwdown was created to help families in the community that are going through a difficult situation and are in need of financial aid. This year, all proceeds will benefit the Breit family, as their daughter Noelle was diagnosed with a rare medical condition earlier this year.
“The event this year is benefiting someone really close to our family,” said head judge and competition and contest director Jason Breiholz. “Noelle is in my son’s fifth-grade class — or was before she was diagnosed — and her dad Barry Breit has been working with my wife at Carolina Designs for the past six or seven years. Noelle’s family has been close to a lot of the people like my friends that help me do this event, and so we chose her.”
Anyone 18 and younger is qualified to participate, and many First Flight students are taking part.
“It doesn’t really matter if you win — it’s just for fun and more of just trying to help out the family in need,” said sophomore Daniel Olszewski, who has participated in this event for many years.
This year, there are 135 total participants, which is the highest number of registrants ever. The event also includes giveaways, raffles and silent auctions for items like new surfboards and many other prizes to help benefit the Breit family.
“I’m looking forward to getting out and just supporting a good cause and surfing and having fun with friends,” sophomore Codie Patterson said.
Likewise, Olszewski realizes the importance of the event and hopes to see a great turnout.
“I think that everyone should come out to the competition,” he said. “Surfing is a big thing in our community and it’s a good way to bring people together to help someone that is in need.”
Sophomore Trinity Harrison can be reached at harrisontr0314@daretolearn.org.
