09/08/2014
The 7th Annual Blessing of the Waves began at 8:30 a.m. "An event for anyone and everyone, all ages, all faiths. Come Bless the Waves with us as we focus for a moment on the importance of water and the environment in all our lives"
Keynote Presenter: Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, J.C.D, D.D. Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Orange with reflections by: Pastor Sumo Sato, H2O Community Church; Rabbi Stephen Einstein, Rabbi Emeritus Congregation B'nai Tzedek; Fr. Christian Mondor, Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Church; Maneck Bhujwala, Zoroastrian Community; Jynene Johnson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Maria Khani, The Islamic Institute of Orange County. Literally hundreds of participants including surfers from all over the world and the “Voice of HB Surfing” Rick “Rockin' Fig” Fignetti (10-time surfing champion), Olympian Janet Evans (Greatest female distance swimmer in history), the Tongan singers from St. Justin Martyr Parish, Coach Mark Schubert (US Olympic coach and trainer at GWC), HB Junior Lifeguards and so many others celebrated this event emceed by former HB Mayor Dave Garofalo.