Not a typical fundraiser

Music blasted, fashion models walked the runway, and grown men and women sat in a kiddie pool at a Surfrider Foundation fundraiser at Triangle Square on Sunday.

Chronic Cantina restaurant and bar took over the entire second story courtyard of Triangle Square, cordoning it off so they could set up couches, umbrellas and tents for surf industry sponsors and food vendors. Restaurant owner Keith Scheinberg estimated an attendance of 1,500 people from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. that came out to support Surfrider and, of course, to have a drink or two.

“It’s a young charity event, which Newport Beach and Costa Mesa don’t have a lot of,” Scheinberg said, looking out onto the crowd of mostly 20- to 30-year-olds.

Scheinberg said what made his event unusual was that it featured rock music and swimsuits while most fundraisers around the area take place on golf courses or in ballrooms. He expected the event to pull in more than $10,000.

The Surfrider Foundation, a worldwide environmental activist organization that started in California, had a few booths staffed by local members. They encouraged people to sign a petition to the California secretary of commerce, asking him to stop the 241 Toll Road from extending through state park land in coastal South Orange County.

The California Coastal Commission has already decided against the proposed extension, but the Transportation Corridor Agencies appealed the decision, and now it rests in the hands of the secretary, according to Mike Reicher, a member of the Surfrider steering committee who was at the event trying to garner support for the cause.

“[Extending the toll road] sets a horrible precedent for future generations. Our state parks should be there for the community,” Reicher said.

The petition will be turned in within a week, right before the public comment period ends and the decision is made. Costa Mesa Councilwoman Katrina Foley spoke in solidarity with the cause at the event.

The festivities included hourly raffles for prizes like a signed Sunny Garcia surfboard, a signed Tony Hawk skateboard deck and other action sports apparel. Garcia was expected to make an appearance later in the evening, Scheinberg said.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].