About Ocean Fest

Giving back is at the very root of Ocean Fest. Proceeds from our annual festival are always shared in the form of Board-approved monetary grants—the Ocean Fest Grants Program funds like-minded nonprofit organizations working to protect our precious marine environments. Over the last several years, we have awarded over $115,000 in grants, a number we will continue to grow with your support!

NC Event of the Year & Best Green Festival

— Southeast Festivals & Events Association & NC Association of Festivals & Events

Ocean Fest was founded in 2019 by three surfing buddies who can usually be found riding the waves of Surf City, NC. The motivation behind the event was to share our love for the ocean, celebrate the pure joy of surfing, and, most importantly, give something meaningful back to Mother Ocean. With that in mind, Ocean Fest strives to educate the community about ecological threats to our precious marine environments and teach how we can better protect those environments.

The motto: “To Surf and Protect.”

2023 Grant Recipients

Ocean Fest's 2023 grant supports and benefits the lower New River management plan for 2024, helping to protect the quality of water and life in coastal North Carolina.
Ocean Fest's grant has been used to purchase tabling materials for 3 NCCF offices to promote the NC Oyster Trail. This includes tents, tables, printed materials, models, etc., and is currently in progress.
Plastic Ocean Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit based out of Wilmington, North Carolina. Our mission is to attain science-based solutions to the plastic pollution crisis that inspire all to make informed choices to improve human and environmental health.
This program investigates strandings to improve our understanding of the biology of marine mammals that inhabit our local waters so that we may enhance their conservation. Through this, we aim to educate students through their participation in marine mammal stranding investigations.
The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. This is an ethos we love to support!
‘Ao‘ao O Nā Loko I‘a O Maui (a.k.a. Maui Fishpond Association) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to revitalizing Kō‘ie‘ie Fishpond for educational, archaeological, cultural and recreational purposes.
Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center. Their goal is to become a model for getting young people interested in leadership, community service, habitat restoration, environmental education, and taking care of the New River and coastal wetlands.
Ocean Fest's 2023 grant was given to the NC Coastal Federation in support of raising awareness about the NC Oyster Trail. This project will raise awareness and interest in NC and show our oysters as a delicious natural resource, a vital part of the ecosystem, and a critical farm-to-table product.
Audubon North Carolina is a regional office of the National Audubon Society.
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks, Audubon protects birds and the places they need across North Carolina using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.Item description
The mission of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is to conserve and protect all species of marine turtles, both in the water and on the beach.Item description

Meet the board

Mark Anders

CO-FOUNDER/ CHAIRMAN
Happily addicted to surfing, Mark makes a point of getting into the ocean daily. When he’s not in the water, Mark is busy bringing new creative projects to life as an award-winning writer, photographer, and filmmaker. He has served as the organization’s Executive Director since 2019. Mark sees Ocean Fest as a way to give something meaningful back to Mother Ocean.
Cody Leutgens

CO-FOUNDER
Cody is a Surf City native, an esteemed resident ripper, founder of Surf City Surf School, and co-owner of the local favorite eatery Shaka Taco. He helped launch Ocean Fest in 2019, and today, he brings his business expertise and love for his hometown and all things surfing to the team.
Cory Sydes

CO-FOUNDER
Cory is an area local, avid surfboard collector, founder of the Topsail Island Longboard Association, and store manager at Home Depot. He helped launch Ocean Fest in 2019 and continues to oversee its success today through the Board and his contributions to the organization’s year-round operations.
Tracy Ruffin

BOARD MEMBER
Tracy was with North Carolina Coastal Federation as the Senior Scientist, Responsible for oversight of all southeast advocacy, environmental education and restoration projects and personnel; registered lobbyist with NC Legislature; Lead scientist on Living Shorelines and wetlands restoration initiatives; extensive grant procurement and implementation for restoration, planning, and advocacy initiatives
Josh Kendrick

BOARD MEMBER
osh spent over 20 years with Red Bull USA, most recently working as the Head of Athlete Marketing & Performance. He currently serves as VP of Marketing and Communication for SRAM. Josh is a lifelong surfer dedicated to giving back to what he loves.
Ilene Anders

SECRETARY
Serving as the Chief Financial Officer of a multi-billion-dollar financial services company, Ilene has over two decades of industry expertise which she brings to the Board. Ilene currently sits on several boards. While she dabbles in surfing, you will more likely find her running on the sands of Surf City.
Penn Newhard

BOARD MEMBER
Penn is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Backbone Media, the nation’s premier active lifestyle marketing agency. An expert in public relations, media, and marketing, Penn has built an impressive client portfolio featuring many of the world’s most popular outdoor brands like Patagonia, Yeti, and Columbia Sportswear.
Jody Fletcher

BOARD MEMBER
Jody is a recently retired U.S. Navy Special Forces veteran turned executive coach. He brings his three decades of military leadership and operational expertise to the board. Jody’s favorite thing about O’Fest is the teamwork and the great people involved.