The 2010 Florida Pro/Am has come and gone. It seems like forever since last year’s contest, and yet as soon as the contest started, it was done before Vilano beach knew what hit it.
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The big x-factor in Florida contests is the waves, and with it being the end of summer and the beginning of the east coast hurricane season, Contest director Steve Pullara lets the chips fall where they may. The waves this year were nothing like last year but that was expected. Last year’s wave conditions were some of the best you could ask for at a contest. The good thing about the contest this year was that there were waves, and although small, they were there all day long. No one can really complain when there is a rideable wave for eight hours.
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While the conditions were mediocre, the skimming was nothing short of awesome! The top amateur divisions (jr. mens and mens) saw some serious completion. These young riders were pushing themselves technically all weekend, with almost every variation of board spin, twist and hop used, with a good helping of wave-riding and switch tricks. With some more contest experience, several young riders are poised to be a threat when they decide to step up to the professional ranks.
Speaking of the professional division, 38 athletes showed up to compete in the professional division. Some of the big names to travel across the country included Jaime Lovett, Sam Stinnett, Jason Wilson, Brandon Sears and gazillion-time world champ Bill Bryan. Brad Domke, Corbin Dull, Dave Armstrong, Justin Boisclair, and the normal Florida contingent was there, as were locals Jed Currington, Dave Scott, and new transplant Chris Splendore. There was some big upsets, including a first round exit for reigning champ Jaime Lovett. Some young guys also made a good impression, like John Akerman and Max Smetts. The pros were rewriting the book on technical tricks for skimboarding. Standout tricks to this writer that were thrown include Splendore’s inverted 360 double grab re-entry, Tim Fulton’s late shuv-its, Domke’s Kerrupt grab 360, and of course event winner Austin Keen’s double grab rodeo. Keen threw down huge tricks all contest, but the rodeo was easily the crowd favorite during the final, causing applause and cheers from spectators and competitors alike. The final was incredibly fierce though, and in the end it was Keen winning, with Domke, Bryan, and Stinnett rounding out the top four.
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With all the great things that happened this year, some things that weren’t so great cannot go unnoticed. The contest itself was rather poorly run, trying to cram over 100 competitors into two days of competition. The schedule, when posted, was more of an idea and was not firmly held to. The contest directors and staff were also unapproachable for anyone who had a question; they even announced over the PA system not to bother the staff. There really isn’t one person to blame, as there were several factors which caused the poor management. It is up to both the contest directors and the competitors to work together to create a smooth and fluid contest environment. Some changes that could be made would be a strict cutoff date, dividing the contest director’s duties up into a contest organizer and an on-site director, making sure there are predetermined staff and judges and compensate them, and utilizing the full three day period like they have in the past.
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Overall the contest was a good time with great performances by competitors and also highlighted some things that need to change at skimboarding events as big and prestigious as the Florida Pro/Am. Congrats to Austin Keen for his maiden victory. There is not enough space here to write how much Steve Pullara should be thanked for putting this contest on year after year, but thanks should be given anyways. Now everyone has gone home, except for the locals, and the wait starts all over again.
