Life's a Beach

An exhibition, exploring how the beach has evolved from a place of healing to one of recreation; at The Mariners' Museum, Newport News, Virginia.

The exhibition is open all summer and there is a free party and concert series every Tursday, June 2 - July 7, 2005.

Enter by Stepping onto a boardwalk in front of a crowded beach scene and be transported to the eighteenth century, pass through the shocking introduction of the bikini and exit via a brief historical look at the evolution of surfing and recreational activities at the beach, including windsurfing, parasailing, surf fishing and body boarding.

You can get a dollar off of your admission by taking your beach vacation photo to put onto the exhibition's wave wall.

Surfing America USA Championships

The second annual Surfing America USA Championships, Huntington Beach, California, June 27-July 2, will bring amateur surfers from across the United States to compete for championship titles and the chance to represent the United States as part of the 2005 USA Surf Team.

360 of the best amateur surfers in America from five regional member organizations: Eastern Surfing Association, Hawaii Amateur Surfing Association, National Scholastic Surfing Association, Texas Gulf Surfing Association and Western Surfing Association, will compete in nine categories: open men’s, open women’s, boys under 18, girls under 18, boys under 16, girls under 16, boys under 14, open long board and open body board but most of all, 36 coveted spots on the official USA Surf Team to represent the United States at the International Surfing Association World Junior Championships hosted by Surfing America on Huntington Beach during October 2005.

Daytona Beach Events

The water temperature is warming up at Daytona and with it the action, and I'm not just referring to the Sea-turtle season.

The Olde Daytona Beach Ocean Festival takes place on June 18 at Frank Rendon Park, 2705 Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores. Activities kick off at 7:45 a.m. with a mile ocean swim race and even includes a costumed longboarding contest; info (407) 739-1144. The same day sees Main Street's largest Blues and Jazz party of the year, featuring 20 local and regional bands playing in 11 bars.

Of special interest to classical music lovers, Florida International Festival 2005 begins July 13 and features the London Symphony Orchestra who return, in this their centenary year, for their bi-annual retreat; call (386) 257-7790 for tickets and info.