A New Look at Family

Chances are you haven't experienced a family weekend quite like everything that went down on October 10-11 in Flagler Beach, Florida. The Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic goes far beyond what the name implies. Since its inception ten years ago, surfers have gathered to ride the waves in friendly competition to remember the beautiful life of one of their own, Tommy Tant. The entire local community rallies around the surf contest, along with Tommy's parents, Tom and Barbara, and his brother, Will. But it doesn't stop there.

Surfers, artists, musicians, photographers, and non-profit organizations come from around the world to be a part of the weekend, each bringing their own unique contributions: murals, concerts, cold drinks, hand-painted hats, film screenings, beach wear, silent auctions, dinner parties, and a million smiles. All proceeds benefit the Tommy Tant Scholarship Fund, which supports surfers and volunteers going to school; donations are also given to Flagler County food pantries, helping families put food on their tables.

I've had the honor of working alongside Will and his family for the past year to produce the marketing materials and website for the 2009 event. Over the past few years, the Tommy Tant has become as much a meaningful reunion and tradition for me as Thanksgiving or Christmas, primarily because of our family (a merry band of misfits) that gathers around the Tants each year. Colorado meets Outer Banks meets Wales meets New York meets South Africa meets Central Florida. My buddy Matt Katsolis produced this video and made this poignant comment to Surfline about filming the paddle-out ceremony in memory of Tommy Tant:

"As the circle opened up to let me in and then enclosed around me I was suddenly surrounded by my closest friends... all smiling and shouting my name so happy to see me. And this gave me a glimpse of what heaven must be like.