Locals show skills at Vic

The advantages of riding Aliso waves year-round was evident when the final round of the Professionals division in the 32nd annual Victoria Skimboards World Championships of Skimboarding came down to four Laguna Beach natives Sunday.

The two-day event took place at Aliso Beach, which served up a mixture of sun and clouds and produced some gnarly three- to five-foot swells for competitors from all over the world to show off their skills.

Brandon Rothe took the 2008 title, followed by last year’s winner Bill Bryan in second, Brandon Sears in third place, and Brendan “Noogie” Stevens in fourth.

“This is so awesome,” Rothe said after he was presented with his trophy and prize check. “It’s the first time I’ve ever done well in this competition, so it’s a big surprise for me.”

Paulo Prietto, Chris Marciniak, Sam Stinnett and Brad Domke finished in fifth through eighth place, respectively.

Trigg Garner, general manager of Victoria Skimboards said Rothe was on top of his game Sunday.

“The turns were clean, the barrels big, and the tricks thrown with confidence and stomped,” he said. “He had just a turn or trick more than Bill Bryan who came in a close second.”

Garner predicted that Rothe would be one of the finalists prior to the competition.

“He’s a very fluid rider,” he said. “From mounting the board, to gliding across the water, to his turns and maneuvers on waves, to his completion of waves — it all looks effortless.”

About 200 people showed up for the after-party at [seven degrees] to enjoy burritos and cocktails, listen to live jams by local band Soulag Vibrations, watch skim slide shows, and hear the results for the winners of each division — something that Vic Skim typically announces at the beach immediately following the contest.

First place winners in the amateur divisions were Joey Lapolla for 8 and under age group, Max Wheeler (9-11), Blair Conklin (12-14), Simon Avedissian (15-17), Thomas Fryman (18-21), John Salinas (22-24), Kelly Hawlish (25-29), Paul Wade (30-39), Brad Dickey (Legends) and Shonna Cobb (Women).

Wheeler, the no. 1 rider in Dewey Beach, Delaware in his division said he was nervous to compete against California skimboarders.

“It feels good,” he said. “I’m just — surprised. I can’t believe I won it.”

Additional awards went to Pamela Simpson, the oldest competitor in the women’s division for “best wipeout,” Noogie for “best barrel,” and Domke for “best trick” – a 360 shuv-it to frontside wrap.

The youngest of the groms was 4-year-old Dominic Sanzone, who said he’s been skimboarding for just a few weeks.

“I see the big waves…and I run after them.”

Of winning third place in his division, Sanzone just said, “It’s good.”

ASHLEY BREEDING can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or [email protected].