Date of Birth: December 3, 1982

Best Known For: Riding big south swells that ricochet off a jetty

Local Spot: O-Street

My Crew: CMZ

Board of Choice: Anything my dad shapes

Dream Wave: Macaroni’s X3

The Hurley family and friends score perfect Cloudbreak

The Hurley family and friends recently returned from a summer trip to Tavarua, Fiji. The group was blessed with a couple of swells and perfect conditions at both Cloudbreak and Restaurants. Hurley team rider and Tavarua boatman Aamion Goodwin recounts, “The week of the Hurley trip was probably the best waves we’ve had this whole summer at Tavarua. We were all surfed out by the end of it. It’s fun when you can get good Restaurants because it doesn’t happen very often.”

Check the gallery for evidence of the Hurley brothers and friends shredding perfect waves.

Final video highlights from the American Idol of film and broadcast journalism. Video: PK. Additional footage: Josh Walker and Jessi Hampton

Bob Hurley and a crew of friends of family were anchored just off Macaronis — relaxing in between sessions — when the quake hit. They heard a rumble, felt a shake and realized it wasn't just a cleanup set or a thunderhead. And while they enjoyed a memorable trip up until that point, the rest was a blur. Rushed through Padang, dodging all the collapsed buildings and wreckage. Sirens and panic. And eventually finding a way home.

But the difference for traveling surfers is, they actually have a home to go to. Many of the locals in Padang and the surrounding area have lost everything. Homes, friends, family members. These are the same people who help keep the Mentawais charter machinery in motion. Who are an important part of the two decades of surf imagery that's fueled our dreams and the industry itself.

Fortunately, many in the surf industry realize this and are doing everything they can. Many organizations are currently administering aid, food and assistance to Indonesia's hardest hit areas. Surf Aid International, Red Cross, Last Mile Operations...the list goes on.

In an effort to do our part, Hurley and its H2O division is holding a benefit event this Wednesday, October 14, at the "A" Restaurant in Newport Beach.

Here are the details according to Bob:

"The evening is informal and kicks off at 6PM. No RSVP or tickets required. No silent auction, but donations received with gratitude.....We will have a tip jar for Surf Aid on the bar and gladly accept cash and checks........please bring your friends and your smile. Please make checks out to Surf Aid.

This recent quake was severe and tragic.......Wednesday Nite is another great chance for our industry to give back to the victims of the quake and the wonderful people of Padang and the Mentawai Islands."

Where:
“A” Restaurant
3334 W. Pacific Coast Highway
Newport Beach, Ca. 92663
(Intersection of PCH and the 55)

PH: 949-650-6505
6 PM Wed. October 14th

If you can't make it, be sure to go to http://www.surfaidinternational.org donate to the cause.

A Photo Album from Fiji

For most Americans, "family vacation" usually means a view of the Grand Canyon, a trip to Yellowstone or a time shared in Maui. But for the Hurley family, it means 6-foot tubes at Cloudbreak. This past week, Hurley president/founder Bob Hurley, along with his sons Ryan and Jeff and a handful of friends, spent a week in paradise. Here are a few images that will be making the next photo album. ALL IMAGES: MARK METCALF