Headline Surfer photo illustration / Henry Frederick / Surfing competitors in recent years and the image of Dollie Sue Watson, whose heart disease-related death a dozen years ago at age 45, was the catalyst for the annual community fundraiser.
By SERA KING / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A whopping $17,670 was raised during the 12th annual May Day Memorial Surf Classic at the Flagler Beach Municipal Pier, according to Halifax Health Hospital officials on the eve of the Fourth of July weekend.
"This year, the event raised $17,670, the most money raised thus far from the event," John Guthrie, VP
"This year, the event raised $17,670, the most money raised thus far from the event," John Guthrie, VP of communications and executive director for Healthy Communities Halifax Health told Headline Surfer. " Money raised from the surf classic goes to Halifax Health Foundation’s Center for Cardiology fund, which provides new equipment and technology for the hospital’s cardiovascular unit."
The surfer competition was started a dozen years ago to raise awareness of heart disease, Guthrie said, explaining the event’s organizer, Haley Watson Stephens, lost her 46-year-old mom, Dollie Sue Watson, to heart disease on Dec. 29, 2006, which spurred her to action. This year's event was held back on May 7.
The event is held every Saturday before Mother’s Day and includes a ‘Surf Mom” session and a “Minnow” session for children. The official competition sessions include different age groups for men’s and women’s longboard and shortboard competitions.
The event was brought back to Flagler Beach this time around, the hometown of the Watson family. Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnson joined in on the competition as a first-time competitive surfer.
Haley Watson Stephens hasn't forgotten how she lost her ailing mother back in the day.
Fast forward a dozen years to 2022, and the organizers and participants were determined to generate some serious dough.
Did they ever!
“We didn’t just set a new record - we shattered it!"
"My heart is simply overflowing with gratitude and I can’t thank everyone involved enough for the success," Stephens explained. "I feel so fortunate for the continued support from Halifax Health, and think it is simply incredible that we as a community have access to world-class healthcare right here in our town."
Stephens stressed the "fact that the funds raised will stay right here in our community, to help those in need, means the most to me.”
About the Byline Writer: Sera King is associate publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet in Lake Mary, FL serving greater Orlando, Sanford, and Daytona Beach via HeadlineSurfer.com since 2008. She's also a byline writer (business, community & sports features), a videographer, and a cartoonist for the media outlet. King received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Metro Orlando Campus of Ana G. Mendez University in 2008. Headline Surfer is published by Henry Frederick, Central Florida's award-winning journalist.