LR: 12-30-07

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Pamela Clark 503-805-9668 [email protected]

Program Contact: Mark Cunningham 808-224-2626 [email protected]

Katye Killebrew 808-864-6281 [email protected]

Event website: JeannieChesser.com Professional Surfers Unite with a Pro Board Benefit for Jeannie Chesser and the Defend Coalition

Jeannie Chesser, long time surfer and onetime surfing champion, is battling a rare form of cancer. A unique surf benefit is being organized for her by friend Mark Cunningham and other surfers. The benefit will be held Saturday, February 16, 2008 from noon until 6 PM at the Waimea Valley Audubon Center (59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa, HI). The benefit will feature a variety of suroards surfed by professional surfers, boards donated by shops and shapers, surf art, jewelry, books, photos and other surf related items. Organizer Mark Cunningham notes the goal is to “(A)ssemble the greatest collection of contemporary pro suroards, new and used, ever to be gathered in one place.” Funds raised from this benefit will go towards Jeannie’s medical bills and towards the Defend Oahu Coalition. Jeannie is a longtime supporter of the Coalition.

Professional surfers who have donated boards for this benefit include Dustin Barca, J.T. Barron, , Joel Centio, Shane Dorian, Danny Fuller, Brad Gerlach, Chava Greenlee, , Rico Jimenez, Noah Johnson, , Cory Lopez, Phil MacDonald, Rob Machado, the Malloy Brothers, Jamie O’Brien, Mark Occhilupo, Joel Parkinson, Dave Rastovich, Jason Shibata, , Ian Walsh, Dave Wassel, and Tom Whitaker.

Jeannie Chesser Benefit February 16 2008 LR: 12-30-07

Jeannie was born in Miami, FL and moved to Hawaii in the 1970s. Jeannie won her first surf contest in 1965 and was US Surfing Champ in 1992. She married David Chesser and had a son, Todd, who followed his mother into the waves of Hawaii. Todd was the NSSA Surf Champion in 1985 and enjoyed surfing large waves, including participating in the Big Wave Invitational. Sadly, Todd was killed while surfing large waves in 1997.

Jeannie combined her love of the water with her work, and has become an accomplished painter. She is known for her work on suroards, and on canvas. Her art will be included in the upcoming auction. Jeannie is a frequent surfer in Hawaii waves and notes that Tavarua, a wave in Fiji, has provided solace to her throughout her life. Jeannie describes her current work as ““(T)otally therapeutic to work with beads, jewelry, and silver. That people like my stuff enough to buy it is certainly a bonus. I know my art is not going to change the world…it’s not earth-shattering. But I hope it cheers people up or just gives them something pleasant to look at. Todd’s mana (spirit) lives on in me and my art.”

Event organizer Mark Cunningham is a world renown body surfer who has been a lifeguard in Hawaii for many years. While enjoying retirement from life-guarding, Mark continues to surf and organize for causes including Jeannie and the Defend Oahu Coalition. Mark is the 2007 Pipeline Bodysurfing Champion, a past winner of the Mexico International Bodysurfing Competition and has been featured in several surf films.

The Defend Oahu Coalition is a diverse group of community residents, environmentalists, activists and religious leaders all working together towards one goal: protecting communities along the from the dangerous effects of large scale development. Members of the coalition believe that the beautiful North Shore is for all Oahu residents as well as visitors, and are committed to ensuring that it will continue to be a resource for generations to come. Members of the Defend Oahu Coalition are best known for their kelly green Keep the country COUNTRY shirts and will be encouraging members to wear their kelly green at this benefit.

Additional Links:

Jeannie Chesser’s Art Company SurfingArts.com

Defend Oahu Coalition DefendOahuCoalition.org

Photos by Sean Davey and Betty Depolito.

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Jeannie Chesser Benefit February 16 2008