SPECIAL TO THE SUN
BY TRACY ECKERT
ANNA MARIA – After a 23-year absence, skimboarding competition returned to Anna Maria Island on Saturday, June 6, with the One Love AMI Skim Competition held by The Center of Anna Maria Island.
The Saturday morning/early afternoon skimboard competition was held near the Magnolia Avenue beach access in Anna Maria. On a perfect day that offered abundant sunshine and a good shore break for the contestants, an enthusiastic crowd of 300 to 400 spectators turned out for the event.
Erica Nielsen and Evan Talucci served as the event coordinators. Talucci said they were hoping for 20 participants and they were thrilled that 40 skimboarders signed up to compete. Tom Sanger served as the master of ceremonies.
The competitors’ age groups include 8 to 12 years old; 13 to 17 years; and 18 years old and over. The judges, all accomplished skimboarders themselves, were Andrew Fortenberry, Cory Wash, George Stoeckert and Josh Riccio. The judges said they were impressed with the participants’ skimboarding skills.
Skimboarder Dave Lanzillo has competed in several tournaments and he said the turnout was fantastic for a new tournament.
Emily McGrew and Brandi Brady of the West Coast Surf Shop in Holmes Beach (the oldest surf shop in Florida, established in 1964) said skimboards have always been a big seller at the surf shop. They said skimboarding is actually more difficult to learn than surfing.
Based on the fantastic turnout by the participants and the spectators, the skim competition is expected to become an annual event.
THE WINNERS:
SLIM’S PLACE 8-12-YEAR-OLD BRACKET:
First place: Andreas Kobajlo
Second place: Oliver Kelly
Third place: Hayes Bystrom
gRUB TROPICAL BBQ 13-17-YEAR-OLD BRACKET:
First place: Jaden Peters
Second place: Shelby York
Third place: Grant Whitehurst
DUFFY’S TAVERN 18 AND OLDER BRACKET:
First place: Caleb Arendt
Second place: Andrew Fortenberry
Third place: Austin Hammond
SKIM CONTEST PHOTO GALLERY
