Pro Bowl Surfboards Being Auctioned for Charity on NFL.com

Riding a wave of success of the inaugural "Surfboards in Paradise" charity auction last year, the City and County of Honolulu and National Football League (NFL) teamed up again to unveil the ultimate collectibles: two custom-designed surfboards to be autographed by Pro Bowl players and auctioned online to benefit local charities.

(PRWEB) February 3, 2008 -- Riding a wave of success of the inaugural "Surfboards in Paradise" charity auction last year, the City and County of Honolulu and National Football League (NFL) teamed up again to unveil the ultimate collectibles: two custom-designed surfboards to be autographed by Pro Bowl players and auctioned online to benefit local charities.

Each board will be auctioned separately on NFL.com, beginning simultaneously with Super Bowl XLII kickoff on Feb. 3, and ending as the clock runs down at the Pro Bowl on Feb. 10.

"We received such a positive response from bidders who participating in last year's pilot program, and the NFL has taken notice," said Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. "NFL Charities has pledged this year to match monies raised by the program up to $16,000, potentially more than doubling what we raised last year."

It was a touchdown for Hawaii charities last year when the pilot program raised more than $15,000 for local charities. A check was officially presented today to YMCA of Honolulu's Central Branch and Kick Start Karate.

The 2008 AFC and NFC surfboards are sleek custom "shortboards" that were handcrafted by local surfboard shapers Anthony Sherman and Joe DeMarco, respectively. The boards were then hand-glassed and painted by North Shore designer Nick Welles, whose other work can be seen on his website at www.nickwelles.com and YouTube at:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uNEZx5cVWKM

Members of each of their respective teams will sign the one-of-a-kind, museum-quality boards during Pro Bowl Week festivities in Honolulu. In addition to being featured on NFL.com, the boards will also be displayed at Pro Bowl Week venues.

Photo Caption:

After being the first to sign the AFC surfboard, San Diego Charger Kassim Osgood, poses with (from left) Oakland Raiders Pro Bowl cheerleader Jennifer Gatchalian, North Shore surfboard designer Nick Welles, Mayor Mufi Hannemann, and surfboard shaper Anthony Sherman.

Media Contacts:

Bill Brennan, (808) 527-6928

Keith DeMello, (808) 539-3482

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