Up until recently the steep shoreline / shorebreak surf-style of riding has dominated skimming and has been the most popular in places like California and Hawaii. The flatland style of skimming that is emerging takes it’s cue from skateboarding in form and possible maneuvers and it requires less particular conditions than the surf-style skimming. This makes flatland skimming more accessible and progressive in places like Vancouver where there is no surf.
There are plenty of spots to skim around Vancouver including White Rock, Crescent Beach, Tsawassen, and Wreck beach (a clothing optional beach) plus the grand daddy of all skim spots, Spanish Banks. Starting at Jericho Beach, thru Lacarno Beach and on to Spanish Banks East and West, this vast tidal flat is accessible at low to mid tides and boasts acreage of perfect skim streams and pools in addition to a long and uncrowded shoreline. This is the home terrain of the Spanish Flyers skim club, formed in 1995, as well as playing host to many other crews consisting of varied membership including girls crews, rail kids, first timers, families, etc., etc. There are also skim camps and lessons now being offered at Spanish, which are introducing many young kids to the world of skimboarding.
Spanish is not rideable at high tide because of it’s rocky shoreline, however just around the corner, at the mouth of the Fraser River, lies Wreck Beach, which has a sandy shoreline and is skimmable at anytime including high tide. Wreck is a smaller area and can get very busy during peak times so it’s best to catch it when it’s not packed and show respect to the locals whom practically live there and rip the place. This is the spot where, during the right conditions, you can get shoreline down to incoming waves in the surf-skim style.
The most noticeable development in flatland skimming has been the introduction of rails at skim spots, ranging from simply found logs to well designed and well built structures varying in size and shape [flat bars, double ups, rainbows, etc.] This is the area of skimming that looks and feels the most like skateboarding. All kinds of sliding variations and flip out exits have made their way into the skimmer repertoire advancing technical riding at rapid rates and opening all new possibilities for skimming.
Maybe less noticeable, but no less exciting, is the advancement of bank riding in skimming. The banks themselves are either naturally occurring or they are groomed [or sometimes both] and are located at the edges of pools and streams. Skimmers can hit these banks at the right angles and achieve board slides, lip slides, pivots, spinners and countless variations while actually up out of the water on the bank. This has been the preferred format of riding at the many large skim sessions organized by Skull Skates and PD’s Hot Shop over the years, including the annual, "Lisafer’s Birthday Skim Jam", held in the middle of July every year at Spanish Banks West.
All of this skateboard influence in skimming had to effect design and years ago Skull Skates developed the first ever skateboard style twin shaped skimboards. Copied by many, but duplicated by none, the Skate and Twin shapes are continually being refined and have played a major part in the progression of skate-style skimming. PD’s Hot Shop, located near Spanish Banks in Kitsilano [the West side of Vancouver], is currently offering four original and cutting edge Skimboards brands: Skull Skates Skimboards, Sprint Skimboards, Glyde Skimboards and Siesta Skimboards. Each line offering assorted contemporary shapes and dimensions in various models.
If you live inland, not to worry, all that is required to skim is some sandy, shallow water. Beaches on lakes [see photo] and sandbars on rivers or streams are ideal spots. The best glide on a skim is done on about 1/4" – 1" deep water yet many people have learned to skim in considerably deeper water. If you find a spot and it doesn’t look perfect, consider grooming it with a rake and or shovel until it’s good for skimming. You may want to go as far as to build your own Skimboard Park out of sand, rails, ramps, etc. Etc. Set your limits with your imagination.
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