Brendan Borek and the High Tides Memorial Fund
Brendan Borek grew up in Avalon, NJ along with most of my closest friends. I only met Brendan after he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a form of leukemia. A bunch of us were skating Brian Brown's ramp and then hit the curbs at the bank on 20th and Dune. The next summer his mother, Lydia, held a surf contest on his birthday to raise money for his medical bills. The entire Avalon community helped run this first event--among them such legends as Tom Kirk and Doc X--and I remember helping to build and transprt the "stages" the bands were to play on (really just 8' X 8' X 4" wooden pallets) from the Borek's home to 30th street.
On the day of the contest, there was the typical 1-2' wind chop, but no one really cared about how good/bad the waves were. It was Brendan's birthday and we celebrated. I didn't know Brendan that well, so I didn't say too much to him. He was overwhelmed as it was. I do remember that he said that he really wanted to surf, but couldn't because he was too sick... I felt so bad for him, I didn't know what to say. I still don't know what I would say. I would feel the same way talking to my step father three years later as cancer progressed in him too.
The next summer we held the first memorial event for Brendan, at noon a group of us paddle out at 30th street and form a circle to remember him. Each year this event gets bigger and bigger, raising money for families with pediatric cancer in Cape May County. And if you can believe it, this past year--2004--was the 14th year!
I wish I knew Brendan better, but most of all I wish I got to surf with him.
More information on the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund can be found at www.brendansfund.org
Click to see more photos from the past events.