 Raising funds for a good cause while enjoying a friendly competition was the spirit of the day at the annual South Bay Dozen event held on July 7 at Torrance Beach. Organized by our own Ocean Lifeguards and brothers Brian and Mike Murphy, this yearly ocean racing event aims to encourage community, health and fun while benefitting the Jimmy Miller Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers ocean therapy to kids and military veterans. For the fifth year in a row Brian Murphy won the coveted overall title in the men’s category, while Ocean Lifeguard Alison Riddle achieved the overall title in the women’s category for the second straight year. “This is all for fun. It’s a great event, and we come to cheer on everyone,” Riddle said. “Plus the Jimmy Miller Foundation is such a great cause.”
 Participants from as far away as Australia lined up on the beach at 7 a.m. to take part in six intensive competitions, that started with a 5k paddleboard and 10k surfski race. This was followed by a three-lap dory race, a 500-mile ocean swim, a combined sprint/surfski race, a two lap surf sprint and the final three-lap dory race. All race finishers received raffle tickets to win coveted prizes such as surfboards, wetsuits, paddles and sunglasses, which were provided by Bark, Quiksilver, Body Glove, Hobie Polarized, Quick Blade, Ocean Paddle Sports and Patagonia, among others.
 The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation (JMMF) provides a unique program of ocean therapy to wounded veterans, as well as abused and foster children, at no charge. The ocean therapy program combines occupational and recreational therapies with the sport of surfing in the healing environment of the ocean. Ocean Therapy is proven to assist recovery and rehabilitation for those challenged by Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, traumatic brain injuries and other emotional, mental and medical conditions. The JMMF team consists of professional occupational and psychological therapists, expert surf instructors, experienced water pros, and lifeguards and dedicated volunteers. For more information on the (JMMF) you can visit their website athttp://jimmymillerfoundation.org/ . |
