Write up and Pictures from ‘SkimDance Revolution’
Words by Shawn Kenny
I woke up Saturday the 12th for the Exile Skimboards and Alley Oop ‘SkimDance Revolution’, light rain and clouds filled the sky. I didn’t know how things were going to go, being at Alley Oop almost every day the week prior to the contest and knowing that only 14 kids had already signed up. I thought the contest was going to be a bust! After grabbing my wet suit I was off to the beach. We arrived at the beach, filled the meter, and walked down to the contest site, and were surprised to see 1-2 foot waves. The contest was delayed slightly due to weather and generator problems. This contest was like no other that i had been to. There was a list of tricks for each division (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) and you were given three attempts to complete the trick. Beginner began on a 5 second slide across the sand, advanced started with the BS shuv-it and each trick became gradually more difficult from there. It was a true test of ability to land tricks on the spot with pressure on your back. The beginners had trouble with the airplane stomach 360 spin, intermediate with the FS 180 air and the advanced with the winning trick a FS 360 shuv-it. Ryan Shapiro was the intermediate winner and he won on a BS 180 air. The advanced division was down to four with the FS 360 shuv-it the next trick on the list and only Carl Ballbe could land it; thus winning the advanced division.
Corey, Jason and Steve decided to throw an expression session at the end of the contest with an open division best trick contest. Josh Hill threw down a varial flip in the dying seconds and claimed the win for the session. The whole beach erupted as we watched Josh pull off one of the hardest maneuvers in skimboarding. It was a classic moment for everyone.
Next up was the Dance off. First off, I had no clue how this thing was going to go down. I had a Missy Elliot/Lady Gaga like costume going on and obviously was not prepared for what was to follow. I went first, and was surprised at how little dance moves I actually had when I was put on the spot. I went against Dylan and was BLOWN away at how good this little dude was at dancing. Up next came Nick and Jimmy. Nick heard about the dance off from event sponsor Aruba’s. He did the jerk into the next round. The rounds went on and we had our first seeded competitor, Exile Skimboards and Alley Oop’s own Jake Stinnett up against James, who blew my mind, and whose high kicks and quick feet made him prevail and on to the next round. James’ luck came up short in a tight loss to Dylan whose flips and fancy footwork put him in the final with Brad Domke. Dylan’s moves didn’t stop. He kept on pulling moves out of his bag and went on to win the dance off. Brad gave it a great run, but the grom took the crowd over.
Personally, I thought this was one of the most fun contest’s I have been to, and was the best awards/after contest celebration to this date! A big thanks to all the sponsors Exile Skimboads, Alley Oop, Neff, Aruba’s, and Sun Bum for making this event possible.
Best Trick Results:
Beginner
1. Cody Pedelity
2. Cody Funk
3. Billy Marshall
4. Michael Bishop
Intermediate
1. Ryan Shapiro
2. Manuel Voldes
3. James Russo
4. Dylan Crawford
Advanced
1. Carlitos Ballbe
2. Wyatt Krapf
3. Justin Diaz
4. Shawn Kenny
Dance Champion: Dylan Crawford
Photos by Drew Cornwall
Check out Brad Domke’s hot moves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EmZuPr-ntU
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