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For Pete's Sake & The Soul Of Surfing |
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Virgina Beach, VA. – Ask anyone who remembers East Coast surfing in the early ‘60s who is the sport’s soul, and you’ll hear Pete Smith’s name most of the time. Pete is a genuine pioneer and living legend who promoted surfing’s healthy lifestyle during its formative summers.
Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Cavalier Beach & Cabana Club, a benefit in honor of Pete Smith’s 70th birthday will be held.
“It’s time to return the favor,” says Al Midgett, founder and CEO of The Virginia Beach Noblemen, the organization producing the event. “Pete positively influenced thousands of us during our impressionable years. He can use our help now.”
More than 150 items of superlative surfing memorabilia will be available at silent auction, and music will be performed by Ray & The Ultraviolets. Tickets for the party and auction cost $25 available in advance at Freedom Surf Shop and online at www.thenoblemen.org/pete and at the door on the day of event. The price includes food. There is a cash bar.
The largest-ever East Coast surfing memorabilia auction, items can be viewed in advance online at www.thenoblemen.org/pete. A Memorabilia Surf Shop displaying these items and full of other classic items for sale is free and open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. on the day of the event.
Also, free classic surf films will be shown throughout the day with free popcorn provided.
Through the ‘60s and ‘70s, Pete directly touched the lives of almost every Virginia Beach and Outer Banks surfer eager to hit the waves. His easy-going personality and sunny enthusiasm were an irresistible magnet drawing people to his surf shop.
What is more, Pete was among the world’s most influential early advocates of surfing. Famous touring surfers visiting the region for the East Coast Surfing Championships routinely would drop in. Magazines dedicated to the growing sport considered Pete the most credible source for Eastern news. Surfing’s early movie makers would contact Pete to arrange showings in the area. Major surfboard, clothing and accessories manufacturers consulted with Pete about products and trends.
“Pete is a true surfing ambassador,” says Robert August, star of The Endless Summer and founder of the world’s foremost longboard competition.
Dick Catri, another surfing Hall of Fame legend, agrees: “Pete’s the ‘Cowabunga’ surfing stylist of the heart. He’s Mr. Virginia Beach.”
Five-time U.S. Champion named Number One Surfer in the World by SURFER Magazine, Corky Carroll, has known Pete since the ‘60s. “Pete Smith is the absolute most gifted funny dude I have ever met anywhere. Whenever I think about Pete, I smile.”
For more than 25 years, local surfers have referred to Pete Smith simply as “The Original.”
For Pete’s Sake & The Soul of Surfing is being produced by The Virginia Beach Noblemen, an organization of individuals who help others during times of need. The group’s motto is “Be a part of the solution.”
Anyone with surf memorabilia items or services suitable for this auction should contact Al Midgett, at 757 426.7900 or via email at
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