MONSTER SURFBOARD TO MAKE WORLD RECORD-BREAKING ATTEMPT ON FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2005 - BANK OF THE WEST BEACH GAMES

A gigantic surfboard was designed and built for one purpose--to set a world record.

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 July, 2005 : - - HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. ' The world's largest surfboard makes its North American debut at the Bank of the West Beach Games on Tuesday, July 26 and will attempt to set a Guinness Book world record for number of riders on one board Friday, July 29 at the Huntington Beach Pier.

The 40 foot behemoth was built by Australian Nev Hyman and weighs more than 1200 pounds. It was successfully ridden into the record books on Australia's Gold Coast in March with 47 surfers aboard. The Big Board measures 10 feet wide and 12 inches thick. Due to its weight, 20 to 30 adults are required to manhandle the one-of-a-kind giant. The board is comprised of nearly a half ton of foam, 240 yards of 10 ounce fiberglass and 80 gallons of resin.

Manufactured at a cost of $35,000, the monster board is currently en route to the U.S. via oceangoing freighter. A flat-bed truck will deliver it to the beach, where a crane will be utilized to hoist the massive short-board replica of a 5'11' model onto its temporary platform during the early stages of the Beach Games. The board will be formally unveiled on Tuesday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m. by International Management Group (IMG) Vice President James Leitz, during a media-only presentation.

The world record attempt will be made on Friday, July 29 during the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing, which anchors the Bank of the West Beach Games, and is universally recognized as the world's largest professional surfing competition. The board is expected to be towed into the lineup with a personal watercraft under the supervision of the Huntington Beach Lifeguards and marine safety patrol. Nearly 50 surfers will then make the formal attempt to break the record. The actual time will be predicated on weather and swell conditions, but is expected to take place between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The Big Board's appearance at the Bank of the West Beach Games signifies the formal launch for the 'Wave of Compassion Big Board World Tour.' The yearlong fundraising effort will attempt to raise funds for long-term, life-changing projects and humanitarian organizations including SurfAid International, Inc. and Feed the Children, Inc. Organized by HOPE International Outreach, further information on the Wave of Compassion tour is available at www.compassionwave.com.

'The Bank of the West Beach Games is thrilled to host such an exciting endeavor for such a worthwhile and important cause,' said Leitz, the Beach Games' executive director.

The '2005 Bank of the West Beach Games featuring the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O'Neill' attracts more than 600 international competitors and features surfing, skateboarding, BMX, FMX and volleyball in world-class venues along with live concerts and an interactive lifestyle festival spread over 12 acres. All events are open to the public, free of charge. Surfing competition begins on Friday, July 22 and runs through Sunday, July 31. Festival activities and the remaining sports begin on Thursday, July 28. Consumer information is available at www.usopenofsurfing.com and www.bankofthewestbeachgames.com.

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