PRESS RELEASE
July 18, 2007

4th Annual Chip Miller Charity Surf Fest raised money and awareness for amyloidosis

LIFE IS GOOD...

Waves, sun, friends and a tremendous amount of supporting sponsors are a strong combination in pursuit of a worthy cause and the remembrance of a much-loved man who embraced the surf, family and friends.

It all came together once again at the 4th Annual Chip Miller Surf Fest, presented by Fox Riders Co., under the direction of Surf-Brand manager Chris Drummy, July 17, at the 7th Street Surfing Beach in Ocean City, NJ.

Led by Nick Bricker, Surf Fest was conceived to benefit The Chip Miller Charitable Foundation, and the memory of Lance Miller’s father, Chip Miller, who passed away in 2004, and who was a surfing enthusiast and mentor to young surfers, as well as a renowned car-hobbyist. This year’s event raised a record amount of awareness of the deadly disease, amyloidosis.

This year’s soiree was highlighted by a special Pro Division where the winner took $3,000 home. It made for fierce competition and incredible spectating on the beach for everyone to enjoy! The Reef Pro team was on deck signing autographs throughout the day. Reef, a sandals and clothing company also sponsors and supports the Chip Miller Surf Fest year in and year out. The Planet Reef Tour planners, Bob Tanner, Jake Barrett and Jerry Mango, made certain that this year’s Surf Fest was among the hottest, brightest and most-fun stops on the circuit.

Special guests at the Surf Fest included pro surfers Ben Bourgeois, Matt Keenan, and Kevin Richards. These top surfers gave demonstrations, autographs and surfing lessons at the event.

There were also some incredible amateur surfers on hand, including Rob and Chris Kelly, Ian Bloch, Mike Ciramella and Ben Greaff. Those in attendance were thrilled as the pros and amateurs alike were around for meet and greets throughout the day.

This year’s Surf Fest included plenty of giveaway items for the charity donation raffle at El Fish Stixx in Margate, NJ, during the after-party. Some of the raffle items included five surfboards and one longboard (from 7th Street Surf Shop, Heritage Surf Shop & Bob McVoy Surfboards), an O'Neill wet suit, a video iPod, a Playstation 3 and much more. The event was open to all ages with divisions that included Longboard, Short board, Men and Women and a specialty division with a Parent/Child heat. In the name of the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation, the event tries to focus on the family aspect of the surfing hobby.

The Chip Miller Charitable Foundation was founded after the death of car-hobby icon Chip Miller, who was afflicted with the very rare disease amyloidosis. Chip Miller was a respected friend and incredible surf father. He also co-founded Carlisle Events, the world’s largest automotive collector car business. The Foundation’s goal is to raise money to support the research of amyloidosis as well as raise awareness of this life threatening disease.

Surf Fest’s Bricker, a childhood friend of Chip’s son Lance Miller, once again spearheaded the surf contest. “My father always pushed myself and my close friends to strive to be the best that we can be, in his honor we've achieved this through this contest. Nick Bricker, my dear friend took charge of this contest and made it all happen. As my father would always say, LIFE IS GOOD!” Bricker said of when he and Lance were younger. “He drove us around everywhere from surf spot to surf spot.”

Many local surf shops such as Heritage Surf & Sport, Surfers Supplies and 7th Street Surf Shop contributed money and products to the festival, and the organizers, tabulators, announcers and judges all volunteered their time to the event. Returning as main sponsors for the surf event were Fox Riders.

Lance Miller stated: “My father's main objective throughout his life was to make positive impressions on people's lives. He lived his life always helping others and it's great to see he can still continue doing so by spreading the word about amyloidosis. It’s amazing how he was such a dear friend with all my friends. He was my best friend and it carried over to my friends as well. We all loved to just hang out together. I miss him dearly, yet I know he's in a better place.”

Contributions to the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation should be sent to 1000 Bryn Mawr Road, Carlisle, PA 17013-1588, or visit www.chipmiller.org for details.