ENCINITAS — The sand at Moonlight Beach was packed shoulder to shoulder on Saturday as thousands gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Switchfoot's Bro-Am, the annual surf contest and beach concert that has become one of Encinitas' most beloved traditions. The event, which raises money for local youth charities including the Rob Machado Foundation and Stand Up For Kids, has generated over $2.5 million in donations since its inception.
Switchfoot, the Grammy-winning alternative rock band whose members Jon and Tim Foreman grew up surfing these very waves, headlined the free concert on the beach as the sun dipped toward the Pacific. The set leaned heavily on fan favorites, drawing massive singalongs from the crowd.
Frontman Jon Foreman told the crowd from the stage that twenty years ago, they just wanted to surf with their friends and play some music for the neighborhood. They had no idea it would become what it is today, he said. Encinitas raised them, and the Bro-Am is their way of giving back to the community that made them who they are.
More Than Music
The day began with the surf contest, featuring categories for groms, women, longboard, and an invitational heat that drew professional surfers including Rob Machado himself. Local shapers displayed boards on the bluff, and food vendors lined the walkway above the beach, creating a festival atmosphere that drew visitors from across Southern California.
For Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers, the Bro-Am represents everything that makes the city special. "This event captures the spirit of Encinitas perfectly," he said. "It's community, it's creativity, it's the ocean, and it's giving back. Switchfoot could play any venue in the world, but they choose to come home to Moonlight Beach. That says everything."
The 20th anniversary Bro-Am also featured performances by several guest artists, a youth talent showcase, and a ceremonial paddle-out to honor community members lost in the past year. Organizers announced that this year's event raised over $200,000, pushing the lifetime fundraising total past the $2.5 million mark.