Video: Hot D@MN Pro/AM Skimboarding

Professional and amateur skimboarders alike hit up the waves of Madeira Beach this past Saturday for the Hot D@MN Pro/AM, a skimboarding competition that brought in competitors from around the country.

Skimboarding is probably a mix between skateboarding, surfing and skimboarding. It’s kind of one of a kind, said John Akerman, an Indian Rock Beach native and professional skimboarder.

The interest in skimboarding has grown in popularity, both nationally and locally.

“I grew up around St. Pete Beach and all of Pinellas county skimboarding and surfing. Whenever there was a big storm, grab the skimboard and surfboard and head to the beach. Most people are kind of bummed out when a big hurricane comes, but we just grab our boards and go,” Akerman said.

During the competition, skimboarders were split into heats and given a set amount time to perform as many tricks as they could and then graded on various factors.

Its about as technical as you can get. Make everything look as good and as clean as possible to get the most points. Just like three shoves and 180’s, said Ryan Mietz, a skimboarder competing in the advanced bracket.

While skimboarding can be used for riding the waves, the Florida beaches are more suited for using skimboarding as method for doing tricks out on the water.

“It’s pretty flat so it’s more like skateboarding around here. Doing shove-its and other tricks you can think of and trying to make your own stuff to be different,” Akerman said.

The sport of skimboarding is not limited to any age group and veterans encourage young skimboarders to get out and hit the waves.

“A grom is a little kid learning how to skimboard and surf. Just a little kid running around. It’s a slang term for  kid trying to learn,” Akerman said.

Skimboarders hope competitions like the Hot D@MN Pro/AM will help the public learn more about skimboarding and further legitimize it as a sport.

“I just want to see the sport get bigger, see more pros entering pro contests and see more groms on the beach learning how to skimboard. Just got to try to spread the word for now and get it out there. Maybe have it as big as skateboarding and surfing one day,” Akerman said.