Skimboarding facts for kids
Skimboarding, also called "skimming," is an exciting boardsport. You use a special board, called a skimboard, to glide across shallow water. It's a bit like a small surfboard but without fins. Skimboarders start on the beach. They drop their board onto the wet sand where waves have just broken. Then, they run and jump on the board. This helps them skim out to meet incoming waves. They can then ride these waves back to shore, similar to surfing.
Skimboarding isn't just about riding waves. There's also "flatland" skimboarding. This is where riders do cool tricks, like those in skateboarding. They perform these tricks on the shallow water left by waves, without catching bigger waves. Some tricks include "ollies" and "shove-its."
The sport began in Southern California. Lifeguards in Laguna Beach invented it. They wanted to ride waves that were too fast and shallow for regular surfboards. Over time, skimboarding grew. Riders learned to do amazing aerial tricks and even ride inside the curl of a wave. Some pros even get pulled by jet skis into huge waves!
A newer style is urban skimboarding. European champion Adrien Raza helped make it popular. This style uses city water spots instead of beaches. You can skim in fountains, canals, or water mirrors. It's perfect for places without good beaches nearby.
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Choosing Your Skimboard
Picking the right skimboard is important for having fun. A good rule is to choose a board that reaches your mid-chest when standing it on end. The thickness of the board also matters. Most boards are about 1.6 to 1.9 centimeters thick. Thinner boards (around 1.6 cm) are great for quick turns. Thicker boards (around 1.9 cm) glide farther but turn a bit slower.
Skimboard Rocker Shapes
The "rocker" is how much the nose (front) of the board curves upwards. This curve helps the board glide smoothly.
- Constant Rocker: This board has a gentle curve from front to back. It gives you good control on big waves and steep sandy slopes.
- Hybrid Rocker: This is the most common type. It has a curve for about three-quarters of the board, with a flatter tail. It's good for both speed and control on medium waves. It's also excellent for flatland tricks.
- Traditional Rocker: These boards are mostly flat, except for a slight curve at the nose. They are often used in places where waves break farther from shore.
Staying Safe While Skimboarding
Like any sport, skimboarding has some risks. It's important to be aware and stay safe!
- Common Bumps and Scrapes: Sometimes, riders might get bumps, scrapes, or twisted ankles. This can happen if you hit your board or run into rocks or logs on the beach.
- Muscle Strains: The quick movements of running and jumping on your board can sometimes strain leg muscles.
- Water Safety: Skimboarding is usually done in shallow water. This makes serious water-related accidents, like shark encounters, much less likely than in deeper water sports. However, always be aware of your surroundings.
- Choose Your Spot Wisely: The risk of injury depends a lot on where you skimboard. Calm waters with small waves are generally safer. Beaches with rough waves or many rocks, like some in California, can be more challenging. Always check the conditions before you start.
- Be Smart, Stay Safe: You can greatly reduce risks by choosing safe places and times to skimboard. Always look out for obstacles and know your limits.
Best Places to Skimboard
Skimboarding is enjoyed all over the world!
- California Hotspots: Many people think Laguna Beach, California is the heart of skimboarding. It became popular there in the 1920s. Lifeguards used to skim on wooden boards. Today, big contests like "The VIC" happen at Aliso Beach in Laguna every summer. Other popular spots in Laguna include Tenth Street and Treasure Island.
- East Coast Favorites: In Dewey Beach, Delaware, the World Amateur Championships are held each year. Vilano Beach and Vero Beach in Florida are also top spots on the East Coast. Florida's west coast, with places like Sarasota and Clearwater, also offers great skimboarding.
- International Waves: You can find big skimboarding waves in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The sport is also popular across North America, Europe (especially Portugal, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands), Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
- Flatland Fun Anywhere: Flatland skimboarding doesn't need ocean waves. You can do it almost anywhere there's shallow water! Think lakes, rivers, creeks, ponds, puddles, or even wet grass. In the United States, flatland skimboarding is popular in states without oceans. It's also big in British Columbia, Ontario, and near the Great Lakes in Canada.
- Unique Locations: Poland has a fast-growing flatland skim scene. In Boa Viagem, Recife, Brazil, skimboarding is popular because surfing is not allowed due to shark concerns. Beaches where rivers flow into the ocean can also be great for downhill skimming. Israel also has good spots due to its coastal slopes.
Types of Skimboards
Skimboards come in different types, each best for a certain style of riding.
Wave Riding Skimboards
Wave riding is the most popular type of skimboarding. These boards are designed to catch and ride ocean waves. They let riders do cool tricks in deeper water, sometimes even launching into the air off a wave!
- Materials: Most wave riding boards are made from a special foam that doesn't soak up water. This foam is covered with a strong outer layer, often fiberglass or carbon fiber.
- Fiberglass Boards: These are faster and lighter than wooden boards. They offer more control on the water and sand, which is great for tricks.
- Carbon Fiber Boards: These are even lighter, stronger, and faster than fiberglass boards. They are often used by professional riders for big waves, but they are also more expensive.
- Key Features: A good wave riding board needs to be light enough to skim, but heavy enough not to blow away. It also needs to be fast to catch waves and have the right "rocker" (curve) for the waves you want to ride.
Flatland and Inland Skimboards
These boards are perfect for flatland and urban skimboarding. They are usually made of wood and are very tough. This makes them great for doing tricks and sliding over obstacles.
- "Woodies": Wave riders sometimes call these boards "woodies." They are strong and can handle hitting rocks, shells, and other things you might find in lakes or city spots. They are also a good choice for beginners because they are simple and affordable.
- Shapes for Tricks:
- Trick Board: These boards are symmetrical, meaning both ends are the same. This design makes it easier to spin the board and do various tricks.
- Cruiser Board: These boards have a shape similar to a surfboard, with a slightly pointed or rounded front and a rounder back. Some even have a "pintail" at the back.
The Skimboarding Industry
As skimboarding grows, so does the industry around it. Companies make and sell skimboards and gear. Many companies support talented riders from around the world. These professional skimboarders promote their sponsors' boards. Companies often provide boards to their amateur and professional teams. They might also help pay for travel expenses for pros competing in tours.
Skimboarding Contests
Skimboarding contests are held to see who the best riders are and to help companies show off their products.
- North American Contests: In North America, organizations like Premier Skim, United Skim Tour, and Skim USA host events. The United Skim Tour (UST) focuses on professional competitions. Skim USA often hosts amateur events, though their competitions also have a professional division.
- European League: The European Skimboard League started in 2009. It helps promote skimboarding across Europe. The league has stages in Portugal, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain.
- Flatland Competitions: The DB Dash Point Open is a well-known flatland contest. It takes place once a year at Dash Point State Park in Federal Way, Washington. Cody Maurer won first place in the Pro division in 2016.
- World Champions: The United Skim Tour uses a points system to determine the World Champion of Professional Skimboarding. The first official contest of the year, which used to be in Cabo San Lucas, is now held in Brazil.
- Famous Skimboarders: Some well-known skimboarders include Austin Keen (who was the 2013 UST World Champion), Bill Bryan, Brad Domke, Adrien Raza, and Sam Stinnett.
- Leading Brands: Top skimboard companies include Exile Skimboards, Victoria Skimboards, and Zap Skimboards.
See also
In Spanish: Skimboarding para niños
- Inland skimboarding
