The HUB
The Navarre Skim Invasion is in the books. Quinton Good won his first professional event representing the locals. The conditions were not that great with a constant size of knee high break. The contest also featured a dominate double digit victory by Anthony Cox in JR Mens. Write ups, video coverage and photos coming soon. Thanks to the judges, sponsors, and all the people that showed up.
Professional Results
Another successful year of the Cape Cod contest has come and gone with new faces all around, including the podium, and the welcome and familiar sense of reuniting good old friends. This year things came together quite smoothly through the hard work of Skim Invasion. As we woke and drove to the contest site that morning there was a good mood to be shared and we found that upon arrival at 7:20 AM we were merely moments ahead of the early bird competitors, a few of whom arrived stoked and ready to shred not but 10 minutes after ourselves. The swell wasn’t at the glory level of last years contest but none the less it was sufficient for a good contest. As the heats got cranking I think the majority of us realized that among the newer faces there was a surprising skill level which had been refined over the past year for just such an occasion.
In particular the growing crew from Marshfield MA showed true growth sweeping the boys division and eeking out top honors in the Jr. mens after a very close and exciting final. This year too was a turning point for the spectating body as our gathering drew a healthy audience of competitors’ friends and family but more importantly a large number of people with no relation to the competitors joined us including an enthusiastic group of lifeguards who helped with maintaining the competition zone from wandering beach-goers. But ultimately after all the scorecards were tallied and the sea spray had settled the podiums stood as follows; Boys finished with a clean sweep by the Marshfield crew Andrew Spaulding in 1st, Ian Wright 2nd, Tom MacMullen 3rd. The Jr. Men’s division was the most fiercely contested final and ended with Sean Kenneally claiming 1st with clean, consistent, and daring maneuvers, Mike Viprino the reigning champ showed local knowledge bringing him into 2nd, and Aaron Barmmer making a charge and showing tech prowess winning him the round-out 3rd spot on the podium.
Finally in the Men’s division we saw a great and diverse group of shredders Nick Berlo is still the man to get after his repeat 1st place as the Florida transplant, Devin McMahon lent more credence to the growth of the south shore crew as yet another podium face representing Marshfield Massachusetts in 2nd place, and finally and notably Evan Sullivan of Springfield, the longest attending competitor (in his 7th competing year) representing the Reckless crew and the inland shredders everywhere made his presence known with fun and stylish riding bringing him the bronze honors in the Men’s division. As I began so will I end, another year has come and gone and with the passing of this years contest skimboarders left with a renewal of passion, new friends, new goals, and a commitment to return next year and show how they had grown to be stronger skimboarders. Be well everyone and until next years Cape Cod Noreaster, be skimming and eyeing that prize of top honors and remember that we will be waiting to see how you’ve improved.
Boys
1. Andrew Spaulding
2. Ian Wright
3. Tom MacMullen
4. Patrick Lillis
5. Lucas Miller
Junior Mens
1. Sean Kenneally
2. Mike Viprino
3. Aaron Barmmer
4. John MacMullen
5. Danny Kilgore
6. Bobby Lewis
7. Noah Barmmer
8. Pete King
9. Richard Spaulding
Men’s
1. Nick Berlo
2. Devin McMahon
3. Evan Sullivan
4. Dave Reinhardt
5. Joe Romanko
6. TIE: Cole Jailet/Brad Drunkenbrod
Check out the Skim Invasion Gallery on the 2010 Cape Cod Nor’easter
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.
Skim Invasion’s Daniel Roberts (no relation) headed on down to Vilano last weekend to cover the Florida Pro/AM. Write up and photos coming next week from Tad Mask but we the video has been done…so we thought we drop it a little early for you guys. Give us your thoughts below!
