Flynn Sheridan Invitational raises L$ 230,000

Fun in the sun! Left to right: Rani DeCosta, Cipriano Grut, DeVinna Toll (yes, really!), Colleen Brennan and Oroonie Oh

Organisers disclosed that the Flynn Sheridan Invitational Surf Contest held at Surfline Epic Rezzable and Aloha Rezzable on Saturday has already raised L$ 230,000 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and more Lindens continue to flood in. L$ 70,000 was raised by the contest in advance via donations from competition surfers and a further L$ 160,000 was raised on the day of the event via an innovative donation system that asked spectators to vote for their favourite surfers by donating money in their names.

"It was a great day," said co-organiser of the contest and long-time Second Life Surfing Association member Craig Stallion. "Everybody seemed to have a great time and it was all for a spectacular cause. We couldn't have ask for a better day and for a better crowd of people."

Raising L$ 230,000 is no mean feat in Second Life given that only about 30% of the world's 1.2 million active residents spend any money in Second Life whatsoever and, for example, more than half of the residents that actually do spend money have average monthly spend of less than L$ 2,000 (May 2008 average). The biggest expenditure that most Second Life surfers are likely to have is splurging between L$500 and L$ 2,000 on a new surfboard.

However, Second Life's surfing community sure knows how to make fund-raising fun! The contest proved to be just the opportunity surfers were looking for to try out some of their more colourful costumes and avatars.

The line-up! Left to right: Wonder Woman (aka Desne Aabye,), Betty Boop (aka Colleen Brennan), a bumble bee (aka Express Zeonovka) and some red Indian guy! (QUENCH Spotter) (photo credits: Socks Clawtooth)

Voted Overall Best Surfing Performance at the Flynn Invitational was the Second Life Surfing Association's number four ranked surfer DeVinna Toll. DeVinna also won the award for the Best Tricks, while Best Costume went to Melora Loring, Best Surfware to Adaire Decuir, Most Annoying Gestures to Sunrize Mornington and Most Likely To Belly to Melora Loring!

Missed out on all the fun?

If you were not able to make the Flynn Sheridan Invitational Surf Contest on Saturday, it's not too late for you to take part and help to make a difference.

The Relay for Life kiosk at Surfline Aloha Rezzable will continue to accept donations related to this event for at least the next few days, so please pay Surfline Aloha a visit and help to raise the event total (click here to teleport).

If you are a Second Life landowner and you would like to install your own Relay for Life donation kiosk, the organisers of the Flynn Sheridan Invitational would be happy to assist. Contact Craig Stallion by IM in Second Life or contact SurfWatch and we will put you in touch.

Photo credits: Socks Clawtooth

Useful links
SurfWatch: Flynn Sheridan Invitational heat line-ups announced
SurfWatch: Cancer benefit surf contest announced (15 Jun 08)
SurfWatch: INTERVIEW - Flynn Sheridan (22 Mar 08)
URL: Relay For Life
SLURL: Surfline Aloha Rezzable

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