Sam Stinnett Wins the OBX Skim Jam
By Woody Harris
The final day of the Skim Jam not only brought some much needed cooler weather (slightly), but a small decrease in overall wave size throughout the day. A subtle offshore wind kept the faces buttery smooth as the sun showed its face into the afternoon. Right-to-left liners continued to cruise through the contest area, as well as some clean, mellow wraps in south corner from time to time. Despite the less than favorable change in swell, everyone in attendance stayed stoked throughout the day as the contestants continued to showcase their unmatched wave-riding abilities.
Late morning marked the beginning of the semi-final heats for the pro riders as they relentlessly attacked wave after wave. Each skimmer had their own unique flair, but every heat was dominated by a barrage of very technical riding, with the seldom wrap and the elusive surf-style line. While every rider was charging hard in the shin high shore break, a couple pros stood out with their consistently crowd pleasing maneuvers and effortless steeze.
Blair yet again showed everyone he was their to party as he brought out air after air, including huge gravity defying out the back varials, lofty frontside 180s, countless shuv variations down the line and even the occasional wrap to cover-up. Brad subsequently pulled out his bag of bottomless tech tricks as well, including 540 shuvs, precariously placed big spins and his trademark backside 3’s that would cause a normal man’s legs to give. Choosing to take on the farther out waves, Sam blew everyone away with his knack for bringing it back from way outside, shredding and pumping every ounce out of his rides with ease. Thowing some of the most creative and surfy moves of the contest, J Dub worked every imaginable section of the wave including his stylish layback rail grab wraps. Needless to say both the pro heat quarters and final kept everyone on the edge of their seats as the riders left it all on the beach despite the diminishing conditions.
The final standings for the professionals were:
- Sam Stinnett
- Brad Domke
- Blair Conklin
- Jason Wilson
- John Akerman
- Dave Armstrong
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