As San Diego Union-Tribune reported, the inaugural four-day Del Mar Surf Festival brought community members together to celebrate the sport and culture of surfing. Susie Stevenson and Jimmy Joe Gooding of the Del Mar Historical Society created and coordinated the event.
Twenty-four classic Woodies were showcased at the Del Mar train station, while the Mar Dels performed at the Powerhouse. St Peter’s Church hosted firsthand surf stories and personal surf films. Artists displayed paintings in the Del Mar Plaza, and Peter Sprague performed before sunset.
Jim Kempton of the California Surf Museum introduced nineteen honorees who received custom plaques. Jimmy Joe Gooding told San Diego Union-Tribune that the gathering was "a very exciting and meaningful reunion." Stevenson noted that Hurricane Rachel presented the biggest challenge, which volunteers and supporters worked around.
Larry Brooks, president of the Del Mar Historical Society, expressed satisfaction with the community support for the event.
