What is the 100 Wave Challenge?

The 100 Wave Challenge is like a walk-a-thon, but way more fun! The goal is to surf 100 waves in 1 day and raise at least $1,000 for the Boys to Men Mentoring Network. 

When is this event, and where?

The 10th Annual 100 Wave Challenge will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 6:00am to 3:00pm at Mission Beach in San Diego, California. 

Who will be participating?

Hundreds of surfers will hit the water together, including international surfing legend Shaun Tomson, prosurfer Damien Hobgood, local surfing celebs like Boardroom Show founder and 91X surf reporter Scott Bass and his team, Boys to Men mentors, boys in the BTM program and many other surfers with huge hearts who want to make a difference in the lives of these boys. 

What is Boys to Men? 

Boys to Men is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit that has been in San Diego County since 1996. We provide a community of mentors and peers to hundreds of teenage boys at weekly meetings in middle schools, high schools and community centers. We offer boys a safe place where they can talk about what is really going on in their lives, believe in them and help them make better choices. We are changing the lives of these boys, one at a time, by empowering them to be the best they can be.

Where does the money from this fundraiser go?

Boys to Men Mentoring Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving San Diego County. Because we offer our programs to partner schools in the community free of charge, The 100 Wave Challenge is our largest annual fundraiser to raise money to provide these services to our boys and their families.

What does $1,000 do for Boys to Men Mentoring?

Every $1,000 raised for Boys to Men Mentoring will put one teenage boy through our weekly in-school, group mentoring program for one life-changing year.

What if I don't raise $1,000?

The goal of the 100 Wave Challenge is for each surfer to raise at least $1,000, but that number is just a goal. Some surfers will raise $3,000, $5,000 or even $10,000! If you are unable to reach the $1,000 goal, we understand and are still very grateful for your hard work. If you do not meet certain fundraising benchmarks, you may be ineligible to receive certain fundraising prizes, but we welcome ALL participating surfers to attend the 100 Wave Challenge on September 21st and surf with us!

What if I can't surf 100 waves in 10 hours?

Like the fundraising goal of $1,000, surfing 100 waves in 10 hours is a goal. Some very experienced surfers will hit 100 waves by noon, while others may be at 50 waves at the end of the day. You are still a champion in our eyes! 

How do I count my waves?

If you are a first-year surfer in the 100 Wave Challenge and have met your fundraising goal of $1,000, you will receive a watch with a wave counting feature at registration. Otherwise, we encourage surfers to track their own progress in the water.

Can I really surf with Shaun Tomson?

Absolutely! Surfing legend Shaun Tomson and some of his pro-surfer friends will be IN THE WATER with you, catching 100 waves! 

Will any of the Boys to Men boys and mentors be surfing?

Yes! Several of the boys who participate in our programs are currently learning to surf and some of our mentors will also be in the water the day of the event. We hold a Surf Night four times during the summer where you can surf with our boys, mentors and other 100 Wave Challenge registered surfers and enjoy a free barbecue dinner. We would love for you to join us! Surf lessons begin at 5:00 PM. We encourage you to follow our social media channels for updates.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20 AT LAW STREET PACIFIC BEACH
TUESDAY, JULY 16 AT DEL MAR DOG BEACH
TUESDAY, JULY 30 AT LAW STREET PACIFIC BEACH
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 AT SEASIDE CARDIFF

Will there be food/drinks and a place to rest on the day of the challenge?

You bet! We are so honored to have the support of many local businesses to make this event a success. For breakfast, starting at 6am, all registered surfers will be treated to complimentary breakfast and lunch. We are so excited to offer the Surfer's Lounge to our participants where they can relax on a couch, store their boards, get a free massage from our volunteer massage therapists, and receive one-on-one yoga consultations. 

Can I bring friends or family to the event?

Please do! We would love to meet your support system, and everyone is welcome! (Please note that we can only provide sponsor-provided food and drinks for registered surfers, but the Boys to Men BBQ will be open to your friends and family as they cheer you on from the beach!)

Is this event only for elite surfers?

Absolutely not! We have sections for long boards, short boards, paddle boards... even boogie boards! 

How many surfers make up a team?

We usually suggest that teams are no more than ten (10) surfers, but your team can be as big as you'd like it to be.

How do I log in to my donor page?

Go to www.100Wave.org and click on "Log In." There you will enter the username and password you chose (or that we emailed you when we registered you) and you can then access your page to upload personal photos, videos, edit your "statement" to send out to donors and track your fundraising progress. 

If you have ANY problems at all, please reach out to Lauryn at lauryn@BoystoMen.org or 619-469-9599 and we will get you going! 

How do I ask for donations?

We understand that asking for money from friends, family and colleagues can be difficult, but so is growing up without a father. The boys in our program need your support! 

We suggest a three-step contact process: 

(1) Introduce the event and explain why this is something you are participating in (note that only 10% of donations are made on this first contact, but that is okay!) 

(2) About two weeks after your first email, make sure you remove anyone who has already donated and send a follow-up email. This should be a gentle nudge (there is a 30% response rate for this second email, so it is working!)

(3) Keep in mind that most donors will procrastinate. 60% of donations come in during the last two weeks of the events. This is when you ask one final time and explain again why this is a cause you believe in. Your donors are giving to Boys to Men because they support YOU! 

Who can surf in the 100 Wave Challenge? Are their any restrictions?

Surfers of all genders, ages, and experience levels are welcome to register and surf the 100 Wave Challenge! There are no age restrictions for the event. We want everyone to help raise money for Boys to Men and be a part of the fun in the water on September 21st!