By Tim Kelly
On Friday, Ocean City will host the 15th Annual Chip Miller Surf Fest, to benefit research and raise awareness of a rare disease called Amyloidosis. An after-party is planned at the Ocean City Water Park, featuring food, music and surprises.
The Surf Fest contest begins at 8:30 a.m., the after-party at 5 p.m.
Amyloidosis is a condition which has no known cause and no known cure. It results in the buildup of amyloid proteins on the organs. Unless caught early, Amyloidosis almost always is fatal.
Chip Miller, a longtime Ocean City resident and supporter of its surfing community, was stricken with the disease and passed away in 2004, just a few months after his diagnosis.
The Surf Fest bearing Miller’s name will take place on Friday July 20 at 7th Street Beach in Ocean City. Sign-ins begin at 7:30 a.m. and the contest starts at 8:30. If there are no waves, the contest will take place on Saturday or Sunday July 21 or 22.
To register for the event, visit the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation website at www.chipmiller.org.
“It’s hard to believe we are in the 15th year,” said Nick Bricker, one of the event organizers and a friend of Miller and his son Lance. “It has grown along the way. Amyloidosis is still largely unknown, but now at least more people have heard about it. If we can make someone aware and perhaps catch the disease its early stages and save a life, then we have accomplished our goal.”
The Chip Miller Surf Fest will feature an appearance by local professional surfer Rob Kelly. Over the years some of the biggest names in the sport have taken part including Bethany Hamilton, Rob Machado, and “the Jersey Devil” Dean Randazzo, a Somers Point native.
What began as a small event mostly for locals, has grown into one of the East Coast’s largest surf events.
In addition to the contest, which will award prizes in all age groups, surf gear manufacturers will be on hand with products for sale and donations of a number of great surfing-related prizes.
There are eight divisions in the contest and participants may compete in as many as four of them.
“This is a chance for people to see some of the best surfers on the East Coast compete,” Bricker said, “but not everyone can be there on Friday during the day. That’s why we hope our after-party will appeal to anyone, whether they are (into surfing) or not.”
The party, called the Slide for Amyloid, will take place at the Ocean City Water Park, near 9th Street and the Boardwalk, following the contest. Water Park doors will open at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for those aged 21 and over, $15 for those under 21. They include food, drinks and unlimited use of the Water Park facilities.
“This is a rare opportunity to go to the Water Park and not have to stand in line,” Bricker said. “It’s going to be a big private party.”
Lance Miller said “A taste of Ocean City” will also be a part of the festivities.
“My wife Michele is handling the food part and is doing an incredible job,” Miller said. “We expect to have delicious food on hand from as many as eight different Ocean City and area restaurants.”
Bricker said attendees can save money by registering for both the surf contest and the Slide.
“We appreciate all of the community support, but we also appreciate people learning about Amyloidosis and spreading the word. That’s what is going to save lives. “
Lance Miller said as tragic as his father’s passing was, a greater tragedy is that the disease is treatable if diagnosed in time, yet in most cases it has advanced past that point when recognized.
“It’s very frustrating that some of the most advanced medical centers in the world are unable to treat this disease,” he said. But with education, awareness and early diagnosis, it doesn’t always have to be a sad outcome.
“Additionally, with funds going toward research, we are hopeful,” he said.
