The paddle-out became a regular practice in California in the late 1950s. Every time someone dear to the community died, surfers would take a moment to remember the deceased's life. The circle represents the way in which the ocean brings people together - it's a coping mechanism for both religious and secular groups. It is also a sacred, outdoor memorial ceremony for people to be alone with everybody in an introspective reflection. As a social event, it is also a moment for compassion, solidarity, camaraderie, mourning, and self-analysis.

SOY is a registered 501c3 established in 1993. The Save Our Youth (SOY) Center was founded through the hard work and steadfast vision of parents on the Westside of Costa Mesa who believed their teenagers needed an alternative to gangs and the temptation of the streets. As a non-profit agency serving low-income youth to provide a worthwhile option to an at-risk lifestyle, SOY provides a challenging and healthy environment where teens receive mentoring, tutoring, and college preparedness. 
http://save-our-youth.org/about-us/

SOY’s mission is to provide a safe and welcoming space for teens to find hope, to nourish a sense of self and an ability to grow, and to develop interests and skills to become productive members of society.  Connor McShea through his membership at The Board Club became very interested in helping to volunteer and teach kids to surf.  His plan was to actively volunteer at both the center and on the beach before his life was cut short.  Creating this fundraising effort is a way to honor Connor's memory and support this amazing organization in the nearby community that Connor called home.

The Connor McShea Memorial Paddle Out is meant to honor Connor's memory by giving back to the community he loved so much.  Family and friends are invited to gather on the beach for a day of surfing, remembrance, laughter, and all for a good cause.  There will be opportunities to purchase tshirts and other goods with proceeds going directly to SOY.  At 6:00 PM, the family will invite all surfers to paddle out in Connor's honor where we will return him to the sea. Paddlers will be given flowers to toss into the sea at the same time.  Connor would want this to be light and fun and we will do our best to keep it that way.  Connor would also want everyone to donate some small amount to SOY in his name so that underprivileged children can enjoy surfing as much as he did.  So grab your board and come to the beach! If you need to rent a board and/or wetsuit, those will be available through The Board Club. 

SOY students live on the Westside of Costa Mesa, less than 3 miles from the beach, and yet many of SOY students never go to the beach. Most of the students have never had the opportunity to boogie board or surf and can't afford to sign up for surf lessons at the beach. Most do no have wetsuits or boards or know anyone that has one. Because SOY believes in providing our students the same opportunities as their peers, SOY provides our students the opportunity to learn to surf every summer. We have been doing this for about 15 years and each year SOY has to scramble to find boards, surf instructors, sponsors for food and drinks for the surfers and wetsuits for our students. SOY needs your help!  The SOY Summer Surf Camp is a week long series of swim and surf lessons for the members of Save our Youth Costa Mesa.  This fundraising effort helps pay for boards, wetsuits, lessons, transportation, and lunch for the students for a week each summer.  Save our Youth has been offering surf camp for over a decade however as the program grows, increased funding is needed.  They need your support! Please donate today by purchasing a surf board or a general contribution.