More than 50 contestants showed off their talents and skills at the 2015 Zap Amateur World Championships of Skimboarding held Aug. 8 in Dewey Beach, Del. This annual event is organized by SkimUSA, a youth-focused organization, created more than 30 years ago to promote the sport of skimboarding. SkimUSA works closely with local surf and skim shops and a core of dedicated volunteers to run competitions in Florida, North Carolina,Delaware and New Jersey. Jason Wilson, event organizer and host, has watched the organization grow throughout the years.

“My father started the skimboarding event 34 years ago to promote his Sand Blaster skimboards brand,” Wilson said. “This is the longest running skim contest in Delaware, second longest running contest in the world.”

The skimboarding event is the longest running portion of the Summer Vibes Festival, a nearly month-long festival that began on Thursday, Aug. 6, highlighting the southern Delaware beach culture and summer spirit through skimboarding, skateboarding and more. Throughout this festival, there will also be performers, art and kid activities.

Interviews with Skimboarders

Chris Brown, Professional Skimboarder, Zap Amateaur World Championships Judge 

How did you get into skimboarding?

“I got into skimboarding when I started surfing as a little kid. The idea of riding on the water always fascinated me no matter what the medium of doing so was.”

What does the sport mean to you?

“What is unique to skimboarding is that it is a brotherly sport where everyone gets along. Once a skimmer, always a skimmer.”

What do you think of this contest?

“I can say the Zap Amateur World Champs is a great contest that truly helps to put the spotlight on the amateur competitors and allows them to progress further by doing so. Best contest of the year.”

What does skimboarding mean for Dewey Beach?

“As for Dewey? Well what can anyone say? Skimboarding is the culture there. It is accepted by the locals and one of the most desirable locations on the East Coast for its break.”

Casey Kiernan, Guest Professional Swimboarder, Zap Amateaur World Championships Judge 

How did you get into skimboarding?

“I’ve been skimming since I was 15, so six years now. I got into the sport because one summer day, there wasn’t any surf when I was at the beach but I saw skimmers riding the shore break, which I didn’t know you could do tricks on waves. I introduced myself and they took me under their wings.”

What does the sport mean to you?

“To me skimboarding means my gift, my passion, my future. God has blessed me with this talent and I am able to bless others with it as well. I absolutely love the sport and each individual that I get to enjoy because of the camaraderie it brings. Skimboarding has built a solid past for me and has paved way for greater things in my future.”

What do you think of this contest?

“This past weekend at the ZAP Amateur World Championships I was able to help judge the contest and support the competitors with encouragement and lessons. It was quite a relief to only be at the contest to judge and it also gave me more of a chance to pour into the competitors. Competing professionally is great. It makes me want to be the best person I can be in and out of the water.”

What does skimboarding mean for Dewey Beach?

“Dewey Beach seems to be a tight knit community, as are skimmers, and with the consistency of the waves, Dewey Beach is definitely a skimboarding destination.”

SkimUSA Photos

Weather & Surf Conditions

The contest weekend saw perfect weather. Temperatures were in the 70’s all weekend, Saturday seeing an average of 73 degrees and Sunday reaching 79 degrees. There were some cloudy skies on Saturday but the weekend ended strong with clear skies all around.

During the contest, Dewey Beach sea water temperatures were 72- 77°F. Contest organizers remarked on the size of the waves during the contest saying “they were really large, waist to chest high and it was challenge for Skimboarders in Dewey Beach.”

Results of 2015 Zap Amateur World Championships of Skimboarding