By Dominic Prietto

The 1^st annual South Laguna Skate and Surf Pro/Am skim contest was an absolute blast.  In addition to regular waves right off the beach, the contest area had some sidewaves rolling through during the pro heats.  Despite the somewhat breezy conditions on the ocean, the beach was BLAZIN’-hot and the SW and NW swells kept the wave possibilities pumping.  Some of the top local pros came out to skim the primaries and A-frame secondary sections as well as many of the up and coming groms and new faces to the sport in the amateur division.  

Competition in every division was stacked but there were plenty of waves and sidewash for the eager competitors to choose from.  As the tide started to come in so did stronger primary connections.  Every competitor  attempted to take advantage of the lucrative West St. sider, but the few that connected were ultimately the ones to advance in their heats and take home cash and prizes in the finals.  4 foot something Nathan Zoller proved his future contention for Beaker’s throne by connecting on numerous overhead primaries.  

Despite controversy in the semifinals, Bill and George dropped into the finals getting simultaneous barrels and dominating their home turf while Erik and Paulo aired away into 3^rd and 4^th.  The quality and multitude of workable waves during the finals were some of the best waves for a contest to date.  The first but not last South Laguna Skate & Surf contest will go down in skimboarding history as a huge success considering all of the remarkable waves and moments that occurred (luckily there were plenty of people snapping pix and rolling tape).  

Big thanx to the event organizers , judges and sponsors: Miles Grobman, Bill Bryan, Grady Archbold, John Reynard, Conley Ware, Paul Wade, Mike Taylor, South Laguna Skate and Surf, Victoria Skimboards, Amerikan, Tricon, 10 st. Bros, and everyone else that helped.

The top six pros were:

1. Bill Bryan
2. George Bryan
3. Erik Christensen
4. Paulo Prietto
5. Keith Peery
6. Jeff Gomez

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Photos 2-7
© Jim McDonald