All Photos & Story By Rachel Galvin

Delray Beach kicked off its Fashion Week on Wednesday, Jan. 23 with “Fashion Royale,” showcasing evening wear and designer fashion on Atlantic Avenue in front of the Colony Hotel. The theme this year is “Fashion Never Dies,” inspired by James Bond, and a James Bond lookalike, complete with sexy women counterparts posed on the runway as the events began. Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Chair Peter Arts and City of Delray Mayor Shelly Petrolia did some introductions before the opening act began — a performance by a five man a capella all vocal band called Edge Effect, who came down from Orlando to entertain everyone with their smooth moves and amazing vocal harmonies (and also did an encore performance at the end). There was also a dance performance by Elegant Emeralds.

Then, the runway came alive with multiple designers — all from downtown Delray Beach — with emcees Heather McMechan, Dana Peller of Local Mom Scoop, Pellerini and SoFlo Moms on the Go, and Amanda Perna of House of Perna and Neon Bohemians. VIP guests sat along the runway and each received a stylized swag handbag by House of Perna, complete with tassel.

Designers included Antica Sartoria, Beverly Hills Boutique, Biba Boutique, Blings & Things, C. Orrico, a Lily Pulitzer Shop, Coco & Co., Debilzan Gallery, Elektrik Boutique, Glavidia by Glavidia Alexis, House of Zen Dali, LF Delray Beach, Morley, Patchington, Periwinkle, Quiet Storm Surf Shop, Ramona LaRue, Sara Campbell, Sunday State Style, The House of Perna & Neon Bohemians, Unique Boutique and Vixity.

But this was just the first event of the week. There were also additional fashion shows, in-store shopping events and trunk shows, culminating with the License to Swim: Surf Fashion Show. This event was supposed to be held outside but, due to the rain, it was moved into a parking garage. It certainly seems like an odd place to have a fashion show, but it actually ended up looking like it was meant to be there — very urban chic.

Before the fashion began, singer Mylon Shamble, who was on American Idol, performed “Skyfall,” which fit into the James Bond theme of the fashion week. This was followed by a dance performance by Clifton Sepulveda & Mar Martinez, owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Next, the fashion show began with over 40 models showing off a wide variety of looks (some of which are pictured here).

Proceeds from the Delray Beach Fashion Week benefit the Achievement Centers for Children & Families. (https://achievementcentersfl.org/resources). The event is hosted by the Downtown Development Authority.

For more information, visit www.downtowndelraybeach.com/events/delray-beach-fashion-week-2019.

PICS FROM FASHION ROYALE EVENT–OPENING NIGHT

PICS FROM SWIM & SURF SHOW–CLOSING NIGHT

More photos available upon request… Also see the printed Observer Newspaper for additional photos.

By Gary Curreri

Pompano Beach’s Shannon Snell is doing quite well down underafter competing in the 2018 Queensland Surf Life Saving Senior State Championships in Maroochydore, Australia.

The 20-year-old Snell, a 2016 graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School, recently placed fifth in the Open Women Beach Flags Final and seventh in the Open Women Beach Sprint despite a tight quad muscle. She was representing the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club.

Snell, who represented the U.S.A. Open Team in the DHL International Surf Rescue Challenge in New Zealand that was held from Nov. 30-Dec. 4, extended her stay in Australia to become even more proficient in her lifesaving skills.

“I’m currently in Australia training in the surf-lifesaving sport,” said Snell, who placed second in the sprint and fourth in the surf ski events during the DHL in Mount Monguani, New Zealand.

“Since they are 50 years ahead of the U.S.A., there are actually clubs to train with that you can get the proper technique and training sessions to excel when racing internationally and for the U.S.A. (United States Lifesaving Association) Nationals. I was beyond thrilled to be selected for the U.S.A. team.”

The DHL challenge has been held since 1999 and attracted seven countries from around the world to compete head-to-head in New Zealand for the title of International Surf Rescue Champions. Snell helped the United States finish third in the competition.

Snell has been pleased with her progress so far. In January, she also took second in the Open Beach Sprint Final at Ocean 6 Series and ninth place in Open Women Beach Flags Final in North Cronulla Beach.

“To be able to race with the top athletes in the U.S.A. is always a very humbling feeling and knowing that the work you put in doesn’t go without being noticed,” she said. “I was very pleased too to place as well as I did with coming out of our winter training into everyone’s else’s summer since the seasons are different.

“The goal for Australia is to learn as much knowledge as I can in this sport and take that home with me and become a better athlete,” Snell continued, “and to help the next generation in the states and in Florida to be able to see the sport continue to grow.”

Snell has been an Ocean lifeguard since 2016 on both the east and west coast of the United States, and, prior to that, was a Pompano Beach Junior lifeguard since the age of 9. During that time, she was selected to represent the United States Youth National Team in France in 2014. She also travelled to Japan and Australia the following two years.

Snell earned her fourth invitation to represent her country based on her performance at the United States Lifesaving Association Nationals in Daytona Beach this past summer.

By Rachel Galvin

On Feb. 7, little surfers hit Deerfield’s beach for the Gnarly Charley’s Grom Surf Series competition. Eighty-one kids aged 15 and under competed. The event was put on by Charley Hajek, who lives in New Smyrna Beach but holds competitions up and down the east coast.

Hajek, who is the nine-time East Coast Champion and is getting ready to go to regionals himself, said, “This keeps kids off the streets and in the water. I teach them strategies and good sportsmanship.”

His surf series includes nine divisions. This is his second time in Deerfield. One of his next competitions is in Jupiter on Feb. 27 and Ft. Pierce after that in March.

Island Water Sports and Billabong sponsored the event.

For more information, visit www.gnarlycharleysurfseries.com.

Island Water Sports of Deerfield Beach was forced to cancel our 30 year running event, Midnight Madness, due to issues within the city. We were touched by all the support and feedback from the community, our friends, and fans. In response, we’re able to announce a new event – Daytime Radness.

Daytime Radness will be the largest surf & skate event in South Florida benefiting local and national charities.

Some of the highlights of this event include:

• Surf & Skate Giveaways All Day

• Van’s Goat Skate Ramp Open to Skate All Day

• Entire Store on Sale

• Denim Donations for the Homeless

• Benefit for Karen Rice & Grind for Life – Helping People with Cancer

When: October 21, 2011; 9:00am – 9:00pm

Where: Island Water Sports, 1985 NE 2lld Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

For more information, visit: Daytime Radness www.islandwatersports.com/daytimeradness

Give Jeans a Chance www.volcom.com/givejeansachance

Benefit for Karen Rice www.facebook.com/event.php?eid= 144962048935067

Grind for Life www.grindforlife.org

Founded in 1978, at Island Water Sports surfing is not just our business, it’s our blood. We are owned and operated by second and third generation surfers and skateboarders. Kirk Cottrell opened the shop in 1978. His kids, Cheyne, Karly and Linsey took their first steps inside the store. They now oversee the operations of the business and continue to uphold the commitment to serving the South Florida community.