By Aaron Peluso

One of the only downsides of the 2001 Victoria Pro/Am were some bummed riders who didn't get to compete because of "late" entries.  The most interesting scenario occurred with Kyle Senico who entered at the same exact time as a bunch of other riders including Erik Christensen and Mike Morissey.  The same credit card was used to process the entries.  Well, after some haggling Erik and Mike were allowed into the contest but Kyle, who entered at the exact same time was barred from the pros.  He was eventually allowed into the amateur division (this is the sequence of events as described to me from someone who would know).  This looks bad.  If time were the only consideration Kyle would have just as much right to be there as the other two riders.  Just because Kyle is not in the latest Bryan Bros video doesn't mean he has any less right to compete.  It would look particularly bad considering Kyle is a Zap rider if it weren't for the fact that Victoria was harsh with one of its own riders as well.  Legendary skimboarder and Victoria team member Chris Henderson did not enter "on time" because he has a knee injury and is "day to day".  A couple of days before the contest he got a call saying there was "no room".

Personally, I don't see the need for for contestants to enter far in advance.  Of course I have never run a contest before so there is probably something I am overlooking.  Needless to say Victoria runs this show and they can choose to do things however they like.  But if there is going to be a deadline it needs to be widely publicized and clearly defined.  There must be no exceptions regardless of the rider.  Widely publicizing the deadline is key.  I am in a position where I inform much of the skimboarding world about what is going on.  I had no idea when the deadline was or even that there was a definite one.  If no effort is made to inform me and people like me of the existence of such a deadline before it has passed, how is John Q Public supposed to know about it?  In this sport where beach entries on the day of the contest is the norm, anything to the contrary needs to be widely understood so that people don't miss opportunities and feel cheated.  The rules must apply to everyone.  If a big name rider doesn't get his entry in on time make an example out of him.  Do not let him in because of his name and then cut out the lesser known shredder.  This is not a popularity contest, it is a skimboarding contest where skill, not fame should determine your standing.