South Bay Legends brings free Memorial Surf Contest back to El Porto on Sept. 27

South Bay Legends will host its fifth annual free Memorial Surf Contest and family beach day at El Porto on Sept. 27, with a noon paddle-out honoring lost South Bay surfers. The event pairs competition and kid-friendly beach activities with a silent auction that funds treatment for local residents in need.

Why it matters: - The event is free for families, surfers and spectators, which lowers the barrier to entry for a community beach day in Manhattan Beach. - Silent auction proceeds help pay for treatment for South Bay residents who otherwise could not afford it. - The fundraiser supports veterans, people fighting addiction and alcoholism, and people living with brain injury and emotional trauma.

What happened: - South Bay Legends will hold its fifth annual Memorial Free Surf Contest and family beach day on Sunday, Sept. 27, at El Porto, 42nd Street. - The event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - The contest and beach day have no entry fee and no prize money. - The day includes games, prizes and free giveaways for kids. - Registration is free and open now at southbaylegends.com. - Businesses interested in sponsoring or donating auction items can contact sam@southbaylegends.com.

The details: - A noon paddle-out will pause the day’s activities. - Surfers will form a circle beyond the break and say the names of friends from the South Bay surf community who died too early. - The paddle-out honors people who taught kids to surf, ran heats and helped shape the local surf scene. - Contest divisions are open to all ages and ability levels, from groms to surfers in their 50s and beyond. - Auction items include surfboards, gear and packages donated by local businesses. - Bidding is open to anyone, on-site or online. - South Bay Legends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Torrance, California. - The organization is run by volunteers from the local surf community. - South Bay Legends holds its annual free surf contest and family beach day at El Porto each fall. - The nonprofit’s EIN is 42-4054501. - South Bay Legends also points readers to its social accounts on Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - Organizers frame the event as a celebration, not a memorial service, with the paddle-out serving as the tribute portion of the day. - The mix of surfing, kid-focused activities and charity fundraising keeps the event rooted in local surf culture while directing money to community treatment needs. - The free format and broad age divisions are designed to bring in both competitors and families, not just serious surfers.

What's next: - South Bay Legends will continue taking free registrations ahead of the Sept. 27 event. - Local businesses can still support the fundraiser by donating auction items or sponsoring the event. - The silent auction and paddle-out will be the key moments of the day, alongside the surf contest and family activities.