Attending the Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am

Overview - Vilano Beach is a sleepy little town just outside of St. Augustine.  The town is actually on a narrow peninsula across the bay from St. Augustine.  There is a large bridge across the bay that connects the two towns.  There is not much in the way of businesses in Vilano.  There are a couple of small restaurants and  two mini-marts.  It is mostly residential.

Flying In - Fly into Jacksonville Airport (JAX).  It is serviced by both Southwest and Midway airlines which provide cheap flights.

Getting to Town - You can catch a shuttle which will run you anywhere from $35 - $65.  There are numerous companies that offer shuttle services from the airport and they aren't hard to find.  Your other option is to rent a car which is slightly more feasible because you won't be stranded in the town of Vilano.  Most companies do not rent to people under 25 however.  Budget, Thrifty and Enterprise do but there is a pretty stiff surcharge.

Where to Stay - As of the summer of 2000 there are two motels right on the contest area.  Currently a 90 room hotel is being built nearby which should be completed by the 2001 contest.  Here is an overview of the two nearby motels.

The Ocean Blue
This motel is right on the beach where the contest is held.
Current Rates:  $99 Sun - Thurs & $119 Fri/Sat
Phone Number: (904) 829-5939

The Magic Beach
This motel is just behind the Ocean Blue.  Very close to the contest area.
Current Rates:  $75 per night
(904)829-2651

According to Yahoo Yellow Pages there are other places to stay within walking distance.  You can check out a list of these places here.

If you have a rental car you may be able to find a cheaper room on the other side of the bay, in St. Augustine.  Beware however that it is very nice to be able to easily escape the sun for a few hours midday.

Weather/Water Temp - Vilano is hot in August, especially when the sun is out.  Bring lots of sunscreen and prepare to sweat as temperatures are usually in the 90's.  The water temp is very warm and you shouldn't need a wetsuit.

Where to Eat - There are very few places to eat within walking distance of the contest area.  Most restaurants are located in St Augustine across the bay.

How to Enter the Competition - You can enter by getting an entry form from Steve Pullara, the contest organizer.  There is an official contest webpage which will give you the necessary information.  Be aware that this contest does fill up and people do get turned away so enter early.  Steve can be reached at (302) 226-2208.

How Heats Are Run - The Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am uses a quasi double elimination heat system.  Everyone skims in the preliminary heats.  The first place finisher in those heats goes ahead two rounds.  Everyone who didn't get first in the preliminary heats goes to the next round.  The first place finishers from this round is put with the first place finishers from the previous round and from then on it works like a normal heat system.  This is done to ensure that everyone will get to skim at least twice.  Steve Pullara doesn't like the idea of someone traveling all the way to his contest just to get knocked out in their first heat.  This is his way of avoiding that.