The Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council will host the 19th annual Blessing of the Waves at Pier Plaza on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 5 p.m marking the close of another surf season with an evening of music, faith, and reflection to celebrate a shared love for the ocean.
The Blessing of the Waves, a Huntington Beach interfaith tradition since 2008, draws together residents, surfers, lifeguards, artists, and families to honor the beauty of the Pacific Ocean every fall. Originally founded by the Diocese of Orange and now organized by the GHBIC, the event has grown into a broad interfaith gathering that has historically featured clergy and representatives from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other faith traditions.
More than a ceremony, the event reminds attendees that the sea has a remarkable way of bringing people together, regardless of differing backgrounds and beliefs.
This year’s theme, “Inspired by the Sea,” reflects the countless ways the ocean influences people’s lives within the coastal community, from breathtaking artwork and thoughtful literature to entertaining music.
The evening will begin with music by Crew 52, a band made up of longtime and now-retired Huntington Beach lifeguards, whose lively beach tunes will set the scene for the beachside celebration.
Duke Aipa, a well-respected local surfer and member of one of surfing’s most legendary families, will serve as the keynote speaker for this year’s program. He is the son of the late Ben Aipa, the iconic Hawaiian surfboard shaper whose design innovations are credited with helping define modern surfing.
Duke is also the father of Kolby Aipa, the talented 20-year-old surfer whose life was tragically cut short in an e-bike accident last year. The message will reflect on family, resilience, and the healing power of the ocean, a reminder that hope can emerge even through life's greatest challenges.
The community paddle out, the last segment of the evening, is a long-anticipated annual centerpiece of Blessing of the Waves and its most meaningful moment.
Surfers, paddleboarders, kayakers and ocean enthusiasts gather just past the surfline to commemorate the ocean’s unique ability to unite people and express gratitude for the sea that, organizers said, connects us all.
Whether attendees come to soak up the music, hear a heartfelt message, honor Huntington Beach’s surfing heritage or simply watch the sun set over the Pacific, the Blessing of the Waves has a place for everyone.
Bring family, invite neighbors and experience one of the city’s most beloved traditions.
Photos provided by Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council