Merry Christmas

Picture by Thibault de Barjac, La courance (44), France.


Hi 43 F Low 35 F and the water is about 56 F
My first skim session in France was fun, pretty nice sets, but little bit cold ;-)
Stoked to skim with all my friends back home though ;-)
Merry Christmas

Limited edition of Tex Haines Pro Model on ebay!!!

Unique design for this special Tex Pro Model
Click on the picture to see this item on Ebay!!!

Victoria Skimboards is now on Facebook!
If you are on Facebook, join the group!
Pictures, videos, updates...
Click on the logo

Run Scooter, Run!

Outstanding Victoria Skimboards amateur skimboarder Scooter Hayes is passionate about more than just skimboarding. Take eating 6 patties of hamburger meat on one and a half burger bun off of the lunch truck for instance. Can you top that? I don’t think so.

What does that have to do with the picture you ask? Well, if you ate like Scooter, you too would need to sign up for every marathon that comes to town. Hence, the picture of Scooter Hayes in a recent NC marathon looking comedic as always. And we are told the future holds another go at the Catalina Island Marathon on March 14, 2009. So look out running world because here comes Scooter Hayes!

Interview of Brandon Rothe on foreverskimagazine TV

http://www.foreverskimthemag.com/fsmtv/AskAPro0103.shtml

Skim session

One of our team rider from Hawaii is in town! Jasmine Joy came over today and I was more than glad to go skim some Aliso waves with her. Not as warm as Hawaii but it was fun!
Check out her updated website about skimin' Hawaii:
http://www.solshredskim.com/

Things to do when it is raining

Homemade tattoo's!

Spending an evening with a team guy getting a tattoo from the team manger.

Don't believe the hype that homemade tattoo's are bad. If someone is telling you that its because they are just being pussies. Just kidding, homemade tattoo's are lame. Which brings me to the subject of this blog... making your first homemade. I figured that it would be good to share what little I know so that as I learn more I can just add...

What I know: Making a machine is cool but dremels are hard to control. Stabbing yourself with safety pins is way cooler anyway. Use a sharpie to draw out you ill design. You should stick to simple lines for your first attempt. Preferably do something stupid that you will regret later on. Make your weapon... I chose to make a thick line so I taped two safety pins to a pencil. Then wrap some thread at the depth you desire(to deep bleeds the ink and makes scars to shallow doesn't hold ink). Dip in ink... stab,stab,stab,stab,stab and then wipe the excess ink. dip, Stab stab stab wipe. continue. This is not a fast process and requires you going back over areas to get a good fill. Music helps you zone out and really get into the puncturing process. That's about it, from here on out it is up to you to make your stuff look stylin.

Words of advice:

-make the first ones kinda small, you will get better as you practice.

-you should avoid infection, hep C and, excess blood if possible....

-make sure you do at least one yourself to prove that you are cool.

One very lucky team rider with some new ink.

Vote!

We just voted and encourage you to do the same. We are not going to use this page to endorse one candidate over the other, just use it to remind you all that one of the great things about this country (aside from hanging out on the beach with friends and family) is the right to vote. Take advantage of your right and get out there and vote!

Happy Halloween

Everyone at Victoria Skimboards hopes you had a safe yet eventful Halloween this year. Here is a snapshot of the Star Wars Garner family (Yoda, Darth Maul, and a young Obei Wan Kenobi).

The 2009 Victoria Skimkboards catalog is almost upon us. Are you ready for the new year? We are and coming out with a bang. See you soon.........

Laguna Beach Lifeguards need our help

A direct call from Tex Haines -

Dear Skimboarders,

Tonight is a great opportunity to show your support for the lifeguards. I am asking any and all skimboarders to consider showing up for a half an hour (see message below) to just be there in support of the lifeguard department. The current Lifeguard Headquarters is ridiculously small, located on a sewer pump station and they need more space. One very nearby hotel owner has formed a fake “locals-are-concerned-about-the-view-loss” group to object to the expansion. The amount of view loss is miniscule especially considering the armpit nature of that portion of Main Beach, combining bathrooms, sewer pump station, hotel looming overhead, stairways and Lifeguard Headquarters. So please, we urge you to be there in support of the local Laguna Beach Lifeguards. Please wear your favorite skimboarding hat and a white T and be there. Tell everyone you can and thanks!

Tex Haines (owner Victoria Skimboards)

Additional Information:
Meeting Location: Laguna Beach City Council Chambers (City Hall)
Meeting Date: October 22, 2008
Meeting Time: 6:30pm
Meeting information: A Planning Commission session only but the Lifeguards need our support. If we show our backing of our local lifeguards a change can be made. The commission needs to know we're there (nothing needs to be said as showing up in support of the lifeguards is support enough).

Crescent Bay Skim Session Friday afternoon

Some Victoria Skimboards employees went to Crescent bay today, to enjoy sun and nice waves.

"Un-Official" UST Results

According to the results we have gathered from the Oktoberfest contest (Unofficial Oktoberfest Results) and then doing our own math using the posted results on the UST site (UST Results), we came up with the following year end UST results:

1) Bill Bryan
2) Paulo Prietto
3) Brandon Rothe
4) Morgan Just
5) Brad Domke

The rest is up in the air as we only had the 1-8 results from the Oktoberfest. Congratulations to the Victoria Skimboards crew for taking 3 of the top 4 spots!

AGAIN, this is our math as of today and not the official results of the UST.

Oktoberfest Update

The Oktoberfest contest is almost upon us (this weekend Oct. 11 & 12) and we wanted to give you the quick Victoria Skimboards update:

1) Morgan Just - Hip flexor still bothering him but he will compete
2) Brandon Rothe - Heel injury still plaguing him but he will compete
3) Bill Bryan - Constant back problems but he knows how to work with it and will compete (even though he does not need to)
4) Matthieu Thibaud - Healthy and ready to dominate
5) Koty Lopez - Healthy and ready to end the season on a high note
6) Tyler Stanaland - Healthy and looking forward to showcasing his skills
7) Teddy Vlasis - Healthy and ready to skim

For more information stay tuned to www.victoriaskimboards.com. Thanks and good luck to the team this weekend!

Bill Bryan takes home the gold

Well folks, a 2nd place finish in Santa Cruz (stop #7 on the 8 stop United Skim Tour) has locked down 1st place in the overall UST rankings.

It has been a hard fought battle for the aging veteran but Bill has showed once again why he is considered skimboarding royalty with gutty performances and consistent year round skimboarding. Congratulations Bill!

Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz contest is complete and the results are in:

1) Paulo Prietto
2) Bill Bryan
3) Brandon Sears
4) Morgan Just
5) Jaime Lovett
6) Stephen Bradford
7) Matthieu Thibaud
8) Harley Nelson

Congratulations go out to Bill Bryan, Morgan Just, and our beloved Frenchman, Matthieu Thibaud for such a great performance. Best wishes go out to Brandon Rothe on a speedy recovery as he injured his heel once again hucking it for the crowd. Here is to a speedy recovery!

UST - the final two events

Bill Bryan is in 1st place on the UST going into this weekend's UST contest in Santa Cruz. Needing a 9th place or better to lock down the title (check the math if you want, we are close) in 2008, Bill's chances look good.

Stand fast people as 3-5 foot waves should crash the shoreline this weekend to make it an epic battle. Good luck to everyone!

Table Tennis Tournament - complete

The intercontinental battle for Table Tennis (Ping Pong) domination is over. France, represented by Matthieu Thibaud, squared off against the USA, represented by Trigg Garner on Tuesday, September 2 2008. The battle may go down in the Sporting History Books with the likes of the World Cup or the Superbowl.

Matthieu took an early lead by winning game #1 with a combination of right hooks (yes it was that physical and Trigg has the black eye to prove it) and astonishing backhand slams. But the loss did not slow Trigg down as he brought out a forehand slam of his own to take game #2 by a narrow margin.

It all came down to the third and deciding game. Sweat was seen on each competitor’s face as the pour little ping pong ball got slammed time and time again. After all of the forehand crushes, backhand saves, spinning cut shots, and lengthy rallies were over, the USA came out on top to claim the first ever, Victoria Skimboards Table Tennis Singles title.

Next up for the people at Victoria Skimboards? Double Table Tennis! See you there.

Table Tennis Tournament Update

The 1st Annual Victoria Skimboards Singles Table Tennis Tournament is almost complete. A few scratches and some bruised egos have all of the players on edge as the end is near. Early favorite Tyler Palmer has been eliminated and Dark Horse Kyle McClure made it to the semi-finals before being eliminated by hard hitting Trigg Garner.

French participant Matthieu Thibaud is eagerly awaiting his chance in the semi-finals to play the winner of Matthew Bokor and Nick Aleandro as their quarter-final game has yet to be played.

What is at stake besides Table Tennis pride and bragging rights? How about a 30 rack of beer and at least $30? It is easy to see how the competition is heating up. With the finals scheduled for the week of September 1st the electricity in the air. Good luck to all remaining participants.

Victoria Skimboards Teams Up With Hennessey's Tavern to Benefit Cancer

Victoria Skimboards is proud to be a part of Hennessey's Tavern "Cause for the Cure." Local restaurant, Hennessey's Tavern is raising money for the American Cancer Society by raffling off two Morgan Just Pro Models on August 22, 2008 at their Laguna Beach location. Click here for a link to the flyer and we hope to see you there.

Victoria Skimboards Office Table Tennis Tournament

"All work and no play" makes a Victoria Skimboards employee BORING. What did the heads at Victoria come up with to combat the corporate norm? A ping pong tournament. Let's see who has the skills to pay the bills. Tournament schedule is listed below and stay tuned for results as they are available. Who is your favorite?????

Victoria Skimboards WCS Pictures

Our fearless leader, Tex Haines showing some style.

Bill Bryan airing it out.

The finals line up: Brandon Rothe (1), Bredan Stevens (4), Brandon Sears (3), Bill Bryan (2)

Brandon Rothe dialing in the wave.

The set up at the beach early morning.

A plug for the sponsors.

Victoria Skimboards WCS Results

For complete results and a small wrap up, click the link below:

Victoria Skimboards Results & Wrap Up

Thanks again for joining us at the contest and after party. We had a great time!

Victoria Skimboards WCS Professional Results

The top results of the Professional division are in.........

1) Brandon Rothe
2) Bill Bryan
3) Brandon Sears
4) Brendan Stevens

Last night at the "Out the Back Awards" party was a wild one so stay tuned for pictures, video, and more results.

Congratulations to all people that helped make the event possible, to all of the competitors, and to everyone who viewed the event. Victoria Skimboards appreciates it all.

U.S. Open of Surfing

Huntington Beach, California
July 18-27, 2008

Last Friday marked the opening ceremonies for the '08 U.S. Open of Surfing. The event itself is the largest action sports, music and lifestyle festival in North America. Comprised of professional surfing, BMX, skateboarding, freestyle motocross demos, live music & fashion. It also serves as a World Qualifying Series-event for men and women surfers hoping to make it onto the dream tour. Victoria Skimboards team rider and professional surfer Tyler Stanaland (USA) was one of the contestants in the festival. Luckily for the event a south swell rolled in just in time bringing solid surf for the first few days of competition. Tyler took advantage of the conditions and charged hard throughout the weekend making it out of the trials and qualifying for the main event. Unfortunately, Tyler was put out of the main event on Monday, but managed to beat out Shea Lopez (USA) and John John Florence (HAW) in heats along the way. Congratulations Tyler on the strong showing. Watch out for Tyler as he competes at this weekend’s Victoria World Championships of Skimboarding held in Laguna Beach.

Pictured above: Tyler and his quiver of boards

Victoria Skimboards WCS

The contest is but two days away. Are you ready? Swell predictions (provided by WetSand.com) are 3-5 feet. Let's hope that the swell sticks and the trough does not poke its ugly little head. Good luck to all of the competitors this weekend.

Another note, did you all know that the Awards Ceremony/After Event Festivities will not be held at the beach this year? That is correct, Victoria Skimboards has decided to step it up a touch and hold all after event activities at 7 Degrees in Laguna Canyon. The schedule is as follows:

7pm – 8pm Live Music and video montage
8pm – 9pm Victoria Skimboards WCS Awards Ceremony – Champion Crowned
9pm – 10pm Premiere of Cloud Ten (working title), the new 10th St. Bros video and a Victoria Skimboards slide show
10pm – 11pm Video montage

The whole event is free to everyone so come on down. We will also have two cash bars for those of you that want a beer to wind down after the contest. Have a great evening and we will see you there.

Victoria Skimboards at the JEC Composites Show in Paris

April 1st - 3rd marked the beginning and end of the JEC 2008, the world's biggest (462,848 square feet) composites exhibition in Paris. Thanks to AGY, Victoria Skimboards was able to display a Plane Wrap built with S-Glass. This showcased "fiberglass construction" to the 27,000 professional and 1053 Companies from 96 different countries in attendance.

Victoria Skimboards is proud to have been invited to participate in the world's largest composites show. Special thanks go out to AGY for making it all posible.

Maloof Money Cup

As promised, here's a small sample from the 1800 pics taken over the weekend...check out some of the other money shots at 360 To Nowhere Productions. Give me a couple days to get them up...

shaun white, bucky lasek & sandro dias flyin' high

pro snowboarder danny kass, money maloof & the dingo

jereme rogers

andrew reynolds

terry kennedy

jereme rogers inspecting the marble ledge

eric koston

sheckler

sheckler

darrell stanton

nyjah huston

terry kennedy

paul rodriguez

nyjah huston

andrew reynolds

Maloof Money Cup

Just got back from a weekend at the biggest skate comp to go down in history. With $100 000 on the line for first place, the world's top pros were out in full effect dropping hammers one after another. The highlite of the weekend was the final 10 minute session on lane 5 (a 15 stair hand rail), which got destroyed by the 8 riders who made it to the finals. Fortunately I was hooked up with course access to the event which had me sitting beside the judges and lil jon (who got kicked out of his seat right after he sat down because he was apparently in the way). He quickly replied in the only way he knows how....whhat? It was classic. Needless to say, the photos and video footage I got are all time....I'm currently capturing it all onto the computer as I write this. Hopefully by later tonight (California time) I'll be able to unleash some photos on you guys. Stay tuned to victoriaskimboards.com in the coming weeks to see some video footy of what actually went down. In the words of Rob Dyrdek, the judges and the riders themselves, only one word was used afterwards to describe the event......epic. Meanwhile, here are the final results:

STREET
1st -- Paul Rodriguez $100,000 and Nixon watch worth $10,000
2nd -- Nyjah Huston $40,000
3rd -- Chris Cole $25,000
4th -- Ryan Sheckler $15,000
5th -- Darrell Stanton $6,250
6th -- Jereme Rogers $5,000
7th -- Terry Kennedy $4,000
8th -- Andrew Reynolds $3,000
9th -- Greg Lutzka $2,500
10th -- Dennis Busenitz $2,000

ZUMIEZ BEST TRICK
Lane 1 -- Greg Lutzka Frontside-Flip Back Lipslide $2,000
Lane 2 -- Jake Duncombe Bluntslide to Back Nose-blunt $2,000
Lane 3 -- Greg Lutzka Frontside 270 Kickflip Nose-blunt $2,000
Lane 4 -- Leo Romero Frontside Nose-blunt Upledge $2,000
Lane 5 -- Nyjah Houston Big Spin Flip to Frontside Boardslide $5,000

VERT
1st -- Pierre-Luc Gagnon $75,000, a New Ford Flex SUV and Nixon watch worth $10,000
2nd -- Shaun White $35,000
3rd -- Bucky Lasek $20,000
4th -- Danny Mayer $10,000
5th -- Sandro Dias $6,000
6th -- Andy MacDonald $5,000
7th -- Bob Burnquist $4,000
8th -- Lincoln Ueda $3,000
9th -- Rodrigo Menenez $2,000
10th -- Rob Buster Halterman $1,000

North Carolina, UST contest #4

Once again a Vic Rider takes first place at a UST event (4 UST events, 4 first place finishes)
This time Brandon Rothe takes it!!!
Congratulations Brandon!!!
We are definitely stoked for him. Here are the rest of pro results:
1 Brandon Rothe
2 Paulo Prietto
3 Morgan Just
4 Brad Domke
5 Bill Bryan
6 Jason Wilson
Congrats to the Team.
Thanks to the organizers and sponsors.
Next UST contest is the WCS at Aliso, Laguna Beach, CA.

Fun on the 4th

Hopefully your July 4th evening was filled with friends, fun, and some good fireworks (the safe kind). Ours was!

Aliso Showing Strength

Summer is definitely here as July is upon us. Only a few weeks until the biggest competition of the year on the UST circuit. Whose ready? The Victoria Skimboards team is busy preparing themselves in whatever way they can. For instance, take Mr. Matthieu Thibaud from France charging an Aliso barrel. Props on the pink earplugs and smooth style. Good luck this year!

Morgan Just takes Jersey, UST contest #3

Victoria Skimboards is on a rampage with three first place finishes in a row. Bill Bryan in Cabo and Delaware and then Morgan Just in New Jersey. Congratulations go out to each and every Victoria Skimboards rider out there making this year one to remember.

Victoria Skimboards Company day at the Beach

Friday, June 6th marked a beach day for the employees of Victoria Skimboards. Aliso Beach was the destination and no one was safe. From the Shipping Department to the Sales Department, waves were had by all. What can we say - we work hard and play hard. We hope you enjoyed the sunny day as much as we did!

Victoria Skimboards

South Side Shootout '08

Hey, this is jack Saunders and i just gotta say the contest this year was so good. Waves were hollow, right on shore and thick and heavy. It was good to see everyone from out west come to an eastcoast contest for once. Haven't seen that many west coasters at an eastcoast event in like 5 years. As for myself, I got through to the final with brickle. Thats when of course high tide hit since we were the final heat for the day. He finished 4th i placed 3rd in Mens. Overall great contest. Everyone needs to go next year. Hoping to see everyone at NC.

-Jack

South Side Shoot Out, DE, UST contest #2

The UST contest #2 of the season was at Dewey Beach, DE, May 31-June 1st.

The conditions on Saturday were decent, a little bit windy but definitely some fun liners.

On Sunday, the conditions were really good: Offshore wind all day long, chest-high waves. It was a really good skimboarding show on the beach: Barrels, Liners, Tricks...

Results of the Pro Division:

1. Bill Bryan

2. Paulo Prietto

3. Jaime Lovett

4. Brandon Sears

5. Morgan Just

6. Brandon Rothe

Here are a couple of pictures of the contest:

South Side Contest

B. Rothe

Morgan

Beaker in the final

The contest was a real success, once again thanks for the good organization (Skim USA, Skimcity, Alley-oop skim camp, Bethany Surf Shop ...)
Next contest is Long Beach Island Skim Jam, Barnegat Light, NJ

UST Weekend

The first stop of the United Skimboard Tour (UST) went down this past weekend in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on Lover's Beach. Cabo is located on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula and a lot of the pro riders made the trip. Here's a few pics from the weekend...