Video edit by: Sean Davis MediaThe Ben Kelly ‘No Contest’
The Ben Kelly ‘No Contest’ is an annual surf event held at Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz, California, honoring the life and legacy of Ben Kelly—a passionate follower of Jesus, surfer, entrepreneur, and craftsman. Ben tragically passed away in 2020 from a shark attack while surfing at Sand Dollar Beach.
After Santa Cruz County established “Ben Kelly Day” in the county calendar after Ben’s passing, Ben’s friends, family, and church community came together to create the ‘No Contest’ in tribute to his life. This surf event reimagines a traditional surf competition. Instead of a conventional contest format, participants form teams of five and surf together, each riding a different style of board—shortboard, longboard, fish, foamie, and a wildcard (your choice). The emphasis is on collaboration, creativity, and camaraderie, rather than competition.
The event also features special awards given to groms nominated by the community that reflect qualities that Ben was known for, including the Character Award, Stoke Award, and Creative Young Entrepreneur Award. These awards honor individuals who embody integrity, kindness, encouraging others, and pursuing their create passions—just like Ben always did.
Beyond the waves, the "No Contest" serves as a platform to raise funds for local initiatives. For instance, the 2nd Annual event raised over $6,000 for FlowLovesYou, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth in Santa Cruz.
Held annually on the Saturday closest to May 21st—Ben's birthday—the ‘No Contest’ has become a cherished tradition, bringing together the community of surfers and non surfers to remember Ben's life, share the love of Jesus, and celebrate Ben’s enduring impact in the Santa Cruz.
