If you ever needed confirmation of what a great thing it is to be involved in the Queensland surfing community then this might just be it.
On November 5, The Board Meeting charity is holding a combined board, SUP and Kite event at Kawana on the Sunshine Coast to raise much-needed funds for local handicapped kids. The focus is on fun and helping severely disabled kids, but there are still winners and trophies.
This year the surf event will have three separate "satellite" comps - one for boardriders, one for kitesurfers and one for SUPs - with each section taking to different breaks. As well as the comp, the charity runs a massive surf and sporting memorabilia auction and after-party at the Kawana Surf Club.
The Hive Swimwear catwalk models will be also making a return appearance after dazzling the crowd last year.
Thanks to a hard-working committee of volunteers, every cent raised on the day goes straight into the hands of families of children who could really use our help - from wheelchairs to learning aids.
There is some heavy support for the charity from the surfing glitterati. Julian Wilson is never far from the action as his mum Nola sits on the committee and big wave surfer Mark Visser attends most functions to donate memorabilia and sign autographs.
And then there's the support from other sporting arenas. Peter Turner (son of legendary Dick "Tosser" Turner) is a keen SUP surfer and is heavily involved in the FOGS (Former Origin Greats) and also sits on the committee. Cricket legend Matt Hayden also donates plenty for the memorabilia auction.
Board Meeting member Gordon Barratt said being part of the charity was one of the most gratifying things he has done.
"Surfing and the 'aloha spirit' comes alive at these things," Barratt said.
"We'd like to think we're doing our part for fostering the surfing community by uniting several generations of surfers in and out of the water, and along the way helping out some families who haven't had it quite as easy as the rest of us. The community spirit that comes out these things is amazing."
Conforming to a strict charter, the charity hand-picks families who have "slipped through the cracks" of the health system and who are really struggling.
"Our donations can be quite simple but usually have quite a big effect on the wellbeing of the family," said Barratt.
This year's event will be on November 5 from 6am at the Kawana Surf Life Saving Club. Each competitor gets a rashie, t-shirt, bag of goodies and a guaranteed good time.
The main comp wraps up about midday and will be followed by presentations, surf memorabilia auction, swimwear parade and general all-round good times with covers band "The Merger" cranking out the tunes.
If interested in entering the comp, SUP and Kite surfers can contact Luke at Ocean Addicts on 07 5309 6624. More info at www.theboardmeeting.org
good onya board meeting. its things like this that make us aussies stand head and shoulders above the rest of the world. sounds like a wiked day 
