| Issue #50, March 23, 2007 |
preview: the mayor’s ball
by Janine Cheviot
Last week, Gary Ventura, the unofficial “mayor” of the East End beaches, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Gary has no health insurance coverage and needs our help to fight this battle. His passion for beach preservation and surf access has earned him the nickname “The Mayor,” and on Wednesday, March 28, a fundraiser will be held in support of Gary, appropriately called The Mayor’s Ball. The event will run from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at Casey’s, located on Montauk Highway in Westhampton Beach. Admission is $20 and $15 for those under 21. There will be a 50/50 raffle, surf movies, a slide show, a live performance by reggae rock band Project Vibe. There will also be t-shirts designed by Bedford and printed by Solid Surf Co. for sale.
In the short time since Gary’s diagnosis, local vendors have responded with an outpouring of support by donating over $8,000 in prizes for The Mayor’s Ball main raffle. For $10 per ticket, entrants will be in the running to win prizes such as a surfboard, kayak, skateboard, Jet Blue gift certificate, surf lessons, a $500 gift certificate to Hildreth’s department store, a Don Law wildlife woodcarving and many more awesome items. For $5 per ticket, smaller prizes will be raffled off including dinners at local restaurants and special gift bags. Raffle tickets will be available for pre-sale at local surf shops. All proceeds will benefit Gary and his family.
Known as “GV” to most, Gary moved to the East End from Stony Brook with his wife Alison in the early 1970s. He bought a house in Hampton Bays, started his own business, Oceanside Painting and spent many winters traveling to Tortola, Mexico, Puerto Rico and other tropical destinations to chase waves and pursue his love of surfing. He has also shared his love of surfing with others by giving lessons at the Town of Southampton surf camps. In 1980, Gary was featured in Surfing Magazine and in 2004 Hampton Style magazine listed him as one of the top surfers in the Hamptons.
Over the years, Gary has been an active member of The Surfrider Foundation Eastern Long Island Chapter, a grassroots, non-profit environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves and beaches. Gary’s efforts have had a positive influence on the politics that surround keeping local surf spots accessible. In 2001, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed a project to rehabilitate the western jetty of Shinnecock Inlet, consequently jeopardizing arguably the best surf break on Long Island known as Three’s. Gary alerted the Surfrider Foundation of the proposed plan and was at the forefront of a campaign to protect the break. After many phone calls, letters and meetings, Gary, along with The Surfrider Foundation, got the Army Corps of Engineers attention and they eventually proposed an alternative plan that would reduce the effect on the break.
Gary can be described in many ways. He’s an amazing surfer. He is a true activist. He is a world traveler. He has experienced some of the best waves in the world, yet has also remained dedicated to protecting our local beaches. I have found that those who know Gary best describe him as a great guy. They describe him as someone they respect and look up to. He is a man of loyalty and passion. He is a hero. If you don’t know Gary personally, please know that his battle with cancer is worth supporting. The Mayor’s Ball will be an evening of fun, friends, memories and most importantly, a chance to show appreciation for Gary’s devotion to the waves we sometimes take for granted.
For more information on The Mayor’s Ball visit www.surfriderli.org or e-mail hmcboat@hamptonmarine.net. If you would like to make a donation, please send to Friends of Gary Ventura P.O. Box 575 Quogue, NY 11959.
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