A Skimboarding Introspective by Ben Kotin  

On September the 8th I woke up to blue skies and nice 60-degree temperatures, I was in San Francisco.  I grabbed my skimboard and camera.

Next I walked three blocks my to sisters car and drove1 hour and15 minutes to the beautiful beach city of Santa Cruz.  I arrived late at 9:30 am. Heats were being run.  The waves were the best I have ever seen them in Santa Cruz (this was only my second trip).  Contest organizers Miles Grobman and his girlfriend greeted me.  I paid my 35 dollars, the amateur entry fee and received my free shirt.  I went to watch the pro preliminary rounds. 

Santa Cruz locals Dave Medal, Ben K, and Miles were all on fire.  Bill, George, Jason W, Brandon S, Jaime, Paulo, Brandon Rothe, Mike Stanaland, and Kito were all skimming very well.  The thing that finally hit me about pro skimboarders (what separates them from the ams) is consistency.  I think it was semi final when I was taking a few pics right down by the water to the south of the judges' tower.  Bill saw a nice front side liner, so I thought he began to run.  He dropped goofy footed, did a backside turn then he did a switch front side bigspin and stuck it perfectly.  I don't think that crowd knew it was switch but hey went crazy anyways.  I screamed, yeeeahhhhhh.  Bill is not losing it.  The new jacks are just getting better.  The trophies were sick, gold mister T style chains for first, and silver for second, third, and forth.  The prize packs for the Am's were good as always, and the cash purse for the pros was approximately four G's. 

Pro Results:

1. Bill Bryan

2. Miles Grobman

3. George Bryan

4. Jason Wilson

5. Brandon Sears

6. Jamie Lovett

7. Paulo Prietto 

8. Ben K

9. Brandon Rothe

10. Mike Stanaland

11. Keith Perry

12. Dave Medal

Informal interview with Drew Danielo conducted while on the beach and skimming to the south side of the contest.  

Q: Tell me about your self and skimboarding anything in general?  

A:  Growing up on the Gulf coast of Florida the size and power of the waves is very small.  This is my first time on the west coast and I am stoked with the whole contest scene.  It is a lot more laid back out here than on the east coast.  Out here there is a lot more hype about the skimming than the sponsors.  The waves are indescribable.  This is the biggest and most powerful skim I have ever ridden.  It really makes me respect the guys who can ride a west coast wave like an east coast wave.  A simple wrap to tube takes so much more skill over here.  I'm here for ten says the Santa Cruz, then the Slotstik at Dear Creek. My biggest goal is to learn how to ride the bigger skim. This surely won't be my last trip to the West Coast.

sboarderxxx@yahoo.com

Age: 21

Sponsors: Zap, Wind Flight Surf Shop, Anarchy Eyewear, Ocean Minded Sandals, and KND industries.

Special thanks go to the sponsors, Miles and friends, my sister, J.J. and his folks.

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