How we've helped

Founded in 1979 by thirteen local surfers, many of whom are still active today, the Smyrna Surfari Club is now the second oldest, continuously active private surf club in the world, and very likely the first to establish a scholarship program for young surfers.

New Smyrna Beach has deep surf roots. The area’s first club, the Smyrna Surf Club, was formed in 1963, followed by the Coronado Surf Club.

The founders of the Surfari Club wanted more than just another social surf crew. They wanted to give back to the community and challenge the stereotype that surfers weren’t serious students.
In 1980, the Club organized a surf contest, sold raffle tickets, and raised enough to award the first Surfari Scholarship — $500 to Brian Millard, who later founded his own CPA firm in Winter Park and now gives back to the club and community as a member of our Board of Directors.

The founding members also met their goal of challenging stereotypes.  Of the original thirteen members of the Club, eleven went on to earn college degrees and the other two built successful careers.

Since 1980, the Surfari Club has hosted more than 100 surf contests and awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to local surfers heading to college or vocational school.

The stories of success from Surfari Scholarship recipients over the past 46 years are too many to count, but each one represents a wave of impact the Club continues to ride today.