Navarre Skim Invasion

1

Yes ladies and gentlemen it’s that time…next weekend is the Navarre Skim Invasion. It’s the event that birthed (yes) Skim Invasion. Going to be a grand event as usual located at the Navarre Pier in Navarre, Florida with check ins starting at 8:00 AM. Refugee Board Sports will be providing free food and drinks all weekend. There will be an epic clean up from United by Blue on Sunday afternoon and great prizes (Waterboyz, Exile, Victoria, Freak, Apex, Color, RDS and more) and funness (yes).

Links

Enter the Navarre Skim Invasion

Navarre Skim Invasion Event Page

Navarre Skim Invasion on Facebook

Flyer

Color Apparel is coming to the United States (and North America)

color

We’re excited to announce that Skim Invasion will be the exclusive online retailer to North Americans for Color Apparel. If you’re new to the company…it’s cool. Color comes from the Netherlands and it was started by none other than Richard de Ruijter. Color is something special and you’re probably scratching your head saying, “Is this not the 670th skimboarding apparel brand to come around.” And yes you sir are correct. However we deeply feel Color is the brand that’s going to help change that.

Last fall when Richard joined Skim Invasion we began talking about teaming up with Color. Richard is probably one of the biggest guys in graphic design in skimboarding that is not that well known. Most of Exile’s 2009/2010 line graphic designs come from his head. The two most important things to me in an apparel brand in skimboarding are quality and understanding. By understanding an apparel company has to understand skimboarding. Rule 1…you won’t get rich. You might make a few bucks but most of all income which is small goes back into the marketing/pushing the sport.And Color Apparel understands this. And they’ve really got the designs down…

One of the two Color shirts coming to the SI shop next week.

So we’ve established Color’s got the goods. And they’ve got a young American team repping here in the states such as Quinton Good (watch his mini), Joey Peters and Shawn Kenny. Color Apparel will go live on the Skim Invasion Depot next week.

So come on down to the Navarre Skim Invasion and add a little Color in your life.

ps: All contestants in the Navarre Skim Invasion will be getting discounts on Color goods

Brad Domke takes 2010 Skim USA Tour – Final Standings

1

Brad Domke can notch another achievement under his belt and it’s the 2010 Skim USA Tour champion. Morgan Just finished second following with Alex Hood to round out the top three. Zap Skimboards team took the tour with 15,003 points beating Exile with 3,774 points. Skim USA season is over but there’s still three big professional events left with O’Neill Surf Shop Skimbash (Sep 18/19), Oktoberfest (October 2/3), and Navarre Skim Invasion (October 9/10). ( See the further break down below for the standings).

.

Professional Standings

  1. Brad Domke – Exile – 5249
  2. Morgan Just – Victoria – 4402
  3. Alex Hood – Zap – 3393
  4. Sam Stinnett – Exile – 2593
  5. Bill Bryan – Victoria – 2478
  6. Stephen Bradford – Zap – 2476
  7. Dave Scott – Zap – 2268
  8. Dave Armstrong- Zap – 2148
  9. Michel Brickle – Victoria – 1777
  10. Austin Keen – Exile – 1742
  11. Woody Harris – Exile – 1729
  12. Corbin Dull – Zap – 1710
  13. John Akerman – Zap – 1573
  14. Lance Richardson – Apex – 1473
  15. Ben Lucas – Zap – 1435

Manufacture Standings

  1. Zap – 15,003
  2. Exile – 11,259
  3. Victoria – 8,657
  4. Apex – 1,473

Semi-Pro Standings

  1. Daniel Mcdonald
  2. Max Smetts
  3. Troy Rhoten

Sr. Grand Masters

  1. Brian Erman
  2. Brian Edmondson
  3. Jeff Pruitt

Grand Masters

  1. Janssen Garaffa
  2. James  Crawford
  3. Drew Bruno

Masters

  1. Todd Rhoten
  2. Clayton Scarborough
  3. Ben Bosket

Sr. Men

  1. Matt Adams
  2. Julian Maynard
  3. Dave Bracht

Men

  1. Daniel Mcdonald
  2. Joey Antonelli
  3. Rob Morris

Jr. Men

  1. Derick Shenton
  2. Perry Pruitt
  3. Jacob Chapps

Women

  1. Skylar Wilson
  2. Helen Holt
  3. Brittney Osburn

Girls

  1. Kayleigh Murphy
  2. Alex Yokley
  3. Sara Ashmore

Boys

  1. Matt Buchanan
  2. Sam McCoy
  3. Sam Wheeler

Menehune

  1. Patrick Monigle
  2. Reece Fowler
  3. Carter Hill

Minis

  1. John Gray
  2. Blake Gipco
  3. Sean Wick

Links

Full Standings from Skim USA

Watch Brad Domke on SkimVids

Current UST Standings

Florida Pro/Am

florida-pro-am

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.

.
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.

.
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.

.
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.

.
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.

Links

Watch Skim Invasion Coverage of the 2010 Florida Pro/Am

Pro Results/Current UST Standings from 2010 Florida Pro/Am

2010 Florida Pro/Am Preview

2010_Fl_Pro_Am

Last year, the Florida Pro/Am simply went off. Vilano held some of the best east coast conditions for competition (if not the best) and the riders clearly took advantage of it. However, a perfect hurricane was sitting off the coast and causing such epic times and this year there doesn’t seem to be a tropical cyclone at hand. Vilano can still produce though, and the riders will always produce even if it turns into a wet and wild shove it festival.

Jaime Lovett really put on the shine last year by winning the event with a slew of good waves and big, technical tricks to accentuate them. Team Exile had a good event with Brad Domke at the number 2 spot, Sam Stinnett 3rd, Paulo Prietto 4th, and Jake Stinnett 6th. 5th place went to Bill Bryan, a name that can never be left out of a competition recap, especially this year as the current UST leader.

The competition will be held August 20-22 at Vilano Beach, FL. It’s already past the entry deadline so if you didn’t enter you can at least make it down there to see all the boys and girls and chill. Good luck to all in Florida this weekend.

Predictions? Bill Bryan takes first just because he wants to, Sam Stinnett takes second whilst teeth are sunk into Beaker’s heels, and Brad Domke third with a myriad of magical maneuvers like bigspins and air grab reverses or something.

Links

Watch Systematic Media’s 2009 Coverage of the Florida Pro/AM

Coast to Coast

100

It’s summertime, and it’s hot. I’m talking heat that is intrusive and oppressive; heat that feels like a big invisible blanket covering you day and night. You can’t escape it if you are outside. It saps your energy, soaks your skin and makes you second guess your cries during winter for a heat wave. Thankfully, I’ve had photos that needed editing and other excuses to stay inside some.

California, Tybee and Vilano. That’s the main locales featured in this new photos set. California was a great time as always. The waves were fun almost everyday, and I’ve learned from experience that is not always the case. I have to give huge thanks Hank Snapp and Kelly Anderson for being such amazing hosts. Also, I owe a great deal to Steve Taylor for those morning coffee/skim session – always a necessity and greatly appreciated. This year wasn’t quite as warm as years past, but I still had some good sessions. I will say this – make sure to watch out for bodyboarders at the Wedge, because they don’t really watch out for you.

After I’d skimmed and surfed so much in California that I could (literally) barely walk, I had a couple weeks rest and then made the three-plus hour drive to Tybee Island for the annual Skim Invasion contest. The waves didn’t really cooperate with us this year, so the conditions were a lot smaller than last year’s, but it was a still a fun contest. The skim scene on Tybee is growing every year, and the excitement and enthusiasm for both skimboarding and the local skimboarders is great to see. I was not able to stay for the night festivities and movie, but if it was anything like last year, then I’m sure a good time was had by all.

To round off this log, there are some photos from a couple recent sessions from Vilano. The waves haven’t been the best this summer, but as summer wears on the beach is getting back to her old self, and we’ve been treated with a couple fun summer days. Hopefully the upcoming Florida Pro/am will have some similarly fun conditions.

Next Travel Logs I’m gonna do something a little different in terms of writing. By the next update I should have a more firm idea of an exciting trip for the spring/summer of 2010 as well as some ideas on trips for the rest of this year. I’m also going to write a little piece on Google Earth, and some potential spots I’ve seen while wasting hours on there.

Enjoy the photos, and thanks again to Skim Invasion and all the sponsors for the support!