Skimboarders Invade DE

[eastbreak]

First of all, why is skimboarding so popular in Delaware? Is it the Championships held in Dewey each summer?
Well, I am starting to have run-ins with skimboarders. I have no problem with skimming in general, but they are adding to the summer nightmare of dealing with crowded breaks. For example the other day I was surfing a well known break in Delaware, in sloppy 1-2ft surf on my crappy longboard. It's bad enough that I am even out there, but I am Jones'n like the rest of us for waves. Well a group of skimboarders were cutting right into the line up. One wave a skimmer went right under my board, lucky for him he was able get under my board and avoided my fins. He said nothing and walked away with a cocky look on his face. I did my part to a void them by paddling back out away from their drop-in zone, but with my back to them I have no way of knowing they are attempting to ride a wave. It’s bad enough that we have to deal with kooks, stand up paddle boarders, kayaks and summer swimmers during summer and know I can officially add skimboarders to the mix... Great... Sometimes I miss surfing New Jersey.

Is there skimboarding etiquette?

By the way where are the skimboarders in winter?

Here is a great example of skimboarding out beyond the normal shore break >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOZ4DBy92E8

[jordan]

Your longboarding waves people are skimming? Maybe I read that wrong or maybe you're a troll? Either way my brain hurts.

[El Porto]

The main reason is because of the shorebreak conditions that Dewey & Rehoboth have and the fact that it's generally unsurfable. Skimmers have been riding waves in the area for 30 years. Harry Wilson, former owner of Dewey Beach Surf & Sport did a lot to promote skimming although he was a surfer himself. In my experience the number of sessions that are both surfable and skimmable are few and far between so i don't think it will be a big problem for you.

[SearchForShacks]

if your surfing into shorebreak, to the point where skimmers are makein it out to your the one actin like an idiot.. skimmin is a whole lot more fun then ridein 1ft shorebreak closeouts on a longboard

[eastbreak]

The main reason is because of the shorebreak conditions that Dewey & Rehoboth have and the fact that it's generally unsurfable. Skimmers have been riding waves in the area for 30 years. Harry Wilson, former owner of Dewey Beach Surf & Sport did a lot to promote skimming although he was a surfer himself. In my experience the number of sessions that are both surfable and skimmable are few and far between so i don't think it will be a big problem for you.

This incident took place at Cape Henlopen Naval Jetty. The skimboarders are making use of the low tide and sand bar along the jetty to gain a side access to waves which aloud them to get longer rides. For that reason I don't blame for want to skim there. I was just shocked at how many there were and that some seem to be careless when cutting across a section where surfers are riding waves.
I did witness last years Skimboarding Championships in Dewey and I was impressed by the performance of most riders. I was thinking of trying skimboarding myself, but I would probably break my a$$.
Here are some images I took >>> http://www.eastbreak.com/Photos/SkimDE09/SkimDE09.html

[billabongmoney]

man, you got to regulate your break , im not saying go out there and be an asshole but just let the guy know , most kooks dont even have a clue and and it up to you to show them the way. running home to complain on the internet is not going to fix the problem

[SURF4LIFE]

like the past few years these south swells set up a great skimboard beach for these young dumb and full of no balls skimboarder's, I did not see a single skimmer during Bill when its was the best beach break we would see for a long time.

[johnnyd]

I surf in DE and have never had an issue with skim boarders. If anything, they entertain me while I'm waiting for a set. I don't see where they should be interfering with you at all unless they're really good and actually getting out into the sections. I've only seen 1 or 2 guys do that and it's actually pretty impressive.

And as far as no balls, I dunno. They might not be dropping into huge closeouts or anything, but they are running and jumping onto a board with a 1/4" inch of water under 'em and taking a big risk of falling on their back. Ever seen a 6 ft guy run and fall flat on his back or stomach? That looks very painful and akward. I don't see where ya'll should be starting a beef with skimmers. In general, they're considerate or they're kids just having fun.

[SURF4LIFE]

most of them are not considerate, and I have being sitting there just listening to them run their mouths, pointing out who they are trying to cut off, and it does'nt take balls to fall on your face.

[speedfreaksdvd]

dude i was at cape HAn sat and sun. the only good break was full of them little basterds. I mean i think that skimming looks pretty cool when they're acctually are good at it. BUt other whise they dont normally get in my way. Del especially it seems like they like high tide as we def go for low down there. Plus there always little guys anyway so if they would ever give me s h it theyed get worked! lol