Thousands of surfing and music fans enjoyed a day in the sun at Moonlight Beach on Saturday for Switchfoot’s 6th Annual Bro-Am Festival. The event which combines surfing and music, raises thousands of dollars each year that benefit Stand Up for Kids, an organization focused on helping underprivileged and homeless adolescents. Masterminded by the internationally acclaimed and locally based rock band Switchfoot, this year’s festival included bands such as OK Go, The Almost, Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants, Kate Voegele, Young the Giant, Dynamite Walls, Tim Curran  and of course, Switchfoot.

    Three members of Switchfoot and Curran were out on their boards enjoying the waves early in the morning along with about a dozen others and legendary surfer Rob Machado. Machado, elected to the Surfing Hall of Fame in 2000, enjoyed a professional career that lasted more than a decade and included 12 WCT Championships and a number two world ranking in 1995.

    Known as a great ambassador for the sport, Machado cheerfully posed for photos and signed autographs while he awaited his opportunity to perform on his board. Having grown up in the same North County community as Switchfoot, Machado was happy to return to support their worthy cause.

    “I have known about this event for years, but I am rarely in town this time of year. This year it worked out really well. I just returned three days ago and I am leaving again tomorrow. I grew up on the same street (as band members) Jon and Tim Foreman and I coached their soccer team when they were about 15. It has been cool to watch them grow and evolve into the incredible band that they have become,” Machado said.

    Machado, who like Switchfoot, is very community minded, appreciates the effort that goes into organizing an event like this. Last year alone the Switchfoot Bro-Am raised nearly $100,000 for the San Diego and Oceanside chapters of Stand Up for Kids.

    When he is not catching waves Machado is busy with his own Rob Machado Foundation.

    “My foundation focuses its attention on environmental education for kids. As I have gotten older I have come to realize that I have been blessed with something special. Through what I do and how I ride waves I am able to transfer that energy by reaching out and connecting with kids in a different way. It is pretty amazing and I am very fortunate. The hope is to bring them a positive message and expose them to some of the good things that are going on in the world. I want to show them how you can help and give back and at the same time promote good, healthy living.”

            To learn more about Stand Up for Kids visit www.standupforkids.org/