In 2024 The Smyrna Surfari Club is celebrating its 45th year of existence. It is likely the oldest, continuously-active private surf club in the world and probably the first to have a scholarship program. It was founded in 1979 by thirteen local surfers, most of whom are still active in the Club. Current membership is about 100 active members.
The first surfing club in New Smyrna was founded in 1963; the Smyrna Surf Club. The Coronado Surf Club was the next group to organize, however, these early groups faded away as many members left the area in search of careers and/or college degrees The new group wanted to be more than a social club. They decided that the Surfari Club would establish its identity as one of public service. And so, the Surfari Scholarship was born. A lot of those founding members could recall their teenage years, when just being a surfer still had an image problem. As real surfers, they resented the Hollywood image that the “Beach Blanket” movies of the time projected. One of the most tired clichés was that surfers were not good students. Not true. Of the thirteen original members of the Club, all but two earned a college degree. (And those two went on to great success). So the Surfari Club decided that their mission would be to raise money and give it to a surfer to go to college or vocational school. The best football player in his high school always gets a chance to go to college, and so does the best basketball player. The Surfaris thought that the best surfer deserved to go too. The Club organized a surf contest, sold raffle tickets and the proceeds went to fund the first Smyrna Surfari Club High School Scholarship for $500. It was awarded to Brian Millard in 1980. Brian went on to found his own CPA firm and is now a Director with the Club! Similar stories of the success of the Surfari Club Scholarship recipients over the ensuing 45 years are too numerous to cover here. Local NSB graduating seniors should contact their guidance counselor for more information on applying for our 2024 scholarships.
Fast forward to 2024 – On May 16, 2024, the Smyrna Surfari Club awarded a $10,000 scholarship to the following NSB High School Graduating Senior: JAKE LARSON
CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK!!
2019 winners: Mason Peeples, Taylor Lane, Aiden O’Gorman & Joey Mikos with Surfaris Kevin Schubert & Steve Reece
