Skimboarding UK

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Went looking on Google for skimboarding in Sussex, UK and found this article from the South Devon Times, which obviously I've just missed being in Casares, Spain for three weeks where I learned to skimboard.  Sandskaters is owned by Matt Martin (SandskaterUK on YouTube) and he's based in Paignton, South Devon, UK.  Here's the article : –

SKIMBOARDERS are gearing up for the annual Preston Skimboard Festival in Preston, Paignton.

The two-day competition takes place next weekend and promises a display of some of the Bay's best skimboarding talent.

The
sport sees competitors skimming across the surface of water just a few
millimetres deep and pulling off tricks and jumps in the breaking waves
right next to shore.

Skimboarding is yet to gather pace in the UK and this one of the only competitions in the country.

Matt
Martin, organiser and owner of Sandskater on Manor Corner, Preston,
said: "Skimboarding is pretty much still in its infancy. We are
pioneering it. It is still a small sport at the moment.

"We aim this at the grassroots of the sport and don't get people
travelling miles to enter, but we do get a lot of holidaymakers taking
part."

This is the third year the competition has taken place and entries are already up on last year.

Matt is looking forward to the action.

He
said: "I am definitely looking forward to the competition. It is always
a bit of a giggle down there. Previous years have been great.

"The long-range forecast is good and promises some good waves over the weekend."

The action take place on Preston beach near the Boathouse, which will be providing entertainment throughout the day.

Aside from the board action there will be face painting, hair braiding, a barbecue and live music on both days.

The competition is open to all ages with categories for under-eight, under-11, under-16 and over-16.

The first prize in each category is a Circle One skimboard.

The heats take place on Saturday, August 15, from 10am with the finals and semi-finals on Sunday morning.

Entry
is free but registration is essential. Registration forms are available
from Sandskater, Manor Corner, Preston; the Boathouse on Preston beach
or online at www.sandskater.comor www.boathousebar.co.uk

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Brandon Rothe | Ready To Defend His Title

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Rothe is still coming back from injury, but Laguna native should be a challenger this weekend at “the Vic.” says Matt Szabo

Brandon Rothe is so smooth on a skimboard, he might not even get all the credit he deserves.

He’s
the kind of rider who might not overly impress some in person, but go
home and check out his clips on YouTube and jaws might start to drop.

Technically,
he’s tight with his craft. Rothe takes it seriously, which is not to
say he doesn’t have fun, but the time in the water is time for business.

“Some
people, big competitors, have told me that maybe flailing your arms
around will get you extra points,” said Rothe, 24. “I’m really big on
just skimming the way I do. Everyone’s got their own style, so it’s
cool.”

Everything would be even cooler for Rothe if he can win
this weekend at Aliso Beach Park, the site of the 33rd annual Victoria
Skimboards World Championship of Skimboarding. It’s a big weekend for
all professional skimboarders but especially for Rothe, who was born
and raised in Laguna Beach before moving to San Clemente last fall.

See,
Rothe is the defending champion of “the Vic.” And he’d like nothing
more than to win the championship again on his home break.

Victoria
Skimboards General Manager Trigg Garner wouldn’t be surprised. He said
he wasn’t even surprised to see Rothe snatch the title away from legend
Bill “Beaker” Bryan last year. Bryan, also a Laguna Beach resident, is
like the Michael Jordan of skimboarding, dominant for well over a
decade. That might not even be giving Bryan enough credit, because “his
Airness” only won six rings and Bryan has won “the Vic” a total of 14
times.

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