[Guest Post] Carolina Surf Film Festival

We caught up with the founders of the inaugural Carolina Surf Film Festival, Bo Edmunds, Chad Davis & Chuck Gainey, to chat about their upcoming event, clean water and Charleston’s thriving surf scene.

Tell us a little bit about Carolina Surf Film Festival and why you chose Charleston for the inaugural event. 

Boasting over 600 miles of shoreline, the Carolina coast has long been a favored haunt of pirates, surfers, and dreamers. Situated near the center of this storied stretch of sand, Charleston, South Carolina is known for her colorful history, natural beauty, and thriving surf culture. We are pleased to announce Charleston as the home of the Carolina Surf Film Festival.

The opening night of the festival will include a short film, a feature film, and a dinner party to honor the filmmakers, patrons, and sponsors.  The remaining two nights will include live music, a full bar (featuring locally crafted beer by Westbrook Brewing Company), a food truck rodeo, vendor booths, an artist’s corner (with a live painting performance by celebrated artist Chris Kemp) and, of course, surf and water sports themed movies. Our distinguished panel of judges will screen the movies and award honors to winning entrants.  The Brickhouse Kitchen & Party Plantation on James Island is graciously hosting all three nights of the festival; October 16-18, 2014.

What is your connection to Charleston’s waterways? 

We’re happiest when we’re on the water.   Boating, fishing, paddling, surfing, we do whatever we can to be on or near it as much as we can.  We started the festival as a way to celebrate and thank the surfing community, and to increase public awareness of two non profits we greatly admire:  Charleston Waterkeeper and Surfer’s Healing.  By providing a forum at the festival and in our marketing campaign, we hope that both may reach a larger number of people.   Regarding Charleston Waterkeeper’s mission, we are keenly aware that in addition to reaching like minded people, i.e. water people, we also need to find a way to reach those who don’t spend as much time on the water.   The real challenge is getting the rest of the population to understand that water quality doesn’t just affect surfers and water sports enthusiasts.  Though the festival will draw mostly water people, we hope to create enough buzz around the event to reach those who may not be interested in surfing per se, but who love good food, music, art, etc.

Why is clean water important to the sport of surfing? 

It isn’t just important, it’s vital.  At its core, surfing is pure.  The act of riding a wave is clean and simple.  It takes you to a higher place.  By the way, few surfers have ever been able to describe the feelings riding a wave inspires;  I’ll spare you any further attempt and get to the heart of the matter:  Dirty water stinks!  It goes against the grain of what we stand for as surfers.  Clean water is important to surfing because dirty water is unacceptable.  My partners and I have a unique opportunity to do our part via the film festival.  As surfers and humans we feel a deep responsibility and obligation to insure clean water for future generations.

Visit www.CarolinaSurfFilmFestival.com to find out more information and purchase tickets to the 3 day event happening October 16th, 17th & 18th!