Westbound Boarder

• Win a Trip To Byron: Hey, these little sweepstakes are always worth a shot.  Well, this week you have a shot at winning a trip to Byron Bay, located on Australia’s New South Wales’ Pacific coastline (an iconic surf destination, I might add).  Check it out here, but hey, if you win… share the love, will ya?
• Betty Rides Launches Hoodie Dresses: A new twist on the classic hoddie, Betty Rides launched a hoodie dress.  Yes, it looks exactly as it sounds – a hoodie that is a dress.  Seriously, check it out for yourself in Transworld Snow and let us know – totally awesome, or just plain weird?  Side note, I think the model went to my high school??
• Support Team Stoked in the NY Marathon! Stoked Mentoring will be sending a group of people to run in the NY marathon, and they need your support!  Stoked is an awesome organization based in NY and LA that helps at-risk youth realize their potential through action sports.  Read more about their fundraising efforts with the marathon here.

Okay, so I’m not actually a mentor, but I recently became a volunteer for a program called Stoked Mentoring and attended my very first volunteer event last night.  Stoked is a non-profit organization that teaches at-risk youth life skills through action sports.

Last night, I attended (and snapped beacoup de photos) the Third Annual Stoked Sessions VIP silent auction, Stoked’s annual fundraiser.  Hosted by Stoked supporter and professional actor Andrew Keegan (ever seen 10 Things I hate About You?), the evening featured urban art, networking, and, of course, an open bar, always a crowd pleaser.  All art pieces were donated, allowing all event proceeds to go directly to the Stoked organization, and many artists even showed up at the event to show their support.  Photos from the evening’s festivities below!

Stoked is an organization centered around a mentorship program where they pair a number of mentors with at-risk youth in the Los Angeles and New York areas.  In addition to spending time together each week, mentors and mentees learn to skate, surf and snowboard together, giving mentees the opportunity to unleash their passion and connect with their mentors through action sports.  Founded by Steve Larosiliere and co-founded by Sal Masekela, Stoked has helped many youth reach their full potential.  An inspiring fact – this year, 100 percent of mentees involved in the program graduated from high school, and many plan to go on to college as well.  Stoked is changing lives, and not only for the mentees involved, but for many of the mentors and volunteers as well.

Check out Stoked Sessions all day today in “The Brick Building” at the Culver City Art Walk.  If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or a mentor or donating to the organization, visit the Stoked website to sign up.