40th Zap Pro/Am World Championship set Aug. 12-14
The world’s best skimmers will join local athletes for the 40th annual Zap Pro/Am World Championships of Skimboarding Aug. 12-14 on Dagsworthy Avenue in Dewey Beach.
Director Jason Wilson said he expects record attendance at this year’s event, which is presented by Alley-Oop Skim and Skim USA, as many professionals who didn’t travel the past two years during the pandemic are scheduled to attend.
“It’s going to be a big one,” Wilson said. “I’m 40, and my dad started the contest when I was born. This is going to be the best assembly of skimboarders ever.”
Attendees will recognize some big names on the board, Wilson said, including current world champion Gerardo Valencia of Mexico and former world champion Lucas Fink of Brazil.
Top local skimmers include Lucas and Sam McCoy of Dewey, brothers who are also longtime instructors at Alley-Oop, as well as Sydney Pizza, who will now compete as a rookie professional.
The three-day competition offers medals and prize bags to the top four competitors in all amateur divisions. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top six finishers in the men’s professional and top four finishers in the women’s professional divisions. All participants will receive a complimentary event T-shirt and lunch during competition days.
Wilson said a $10,000 pro purse will be broken down incrementally, with the first-place finisher going home with about $4,000.
“I want to give a shout-out; most of the money [for the purse] was raised locally,” Wilson said. “Zap is the biggest sponsor, but local support has been really great. I couldn’t do it without the contributions of local businesses.”
Live bands and DJs will entertain throughout the weekend for great beach vibes, Wilson said, including reggae band Seranation, whose lead singer is a skimmer; international violinist SJ Sounds; and DJ Izzy Shapes, DJ Dub Sauce, Hit and Run, Lance-O and Vizonne. Schell Brothers’ Project Kudos will provide a beach oasis, Wilson said.
The movie premiere of Skylar Wilson’s film “Easy Slider” is set for 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12, at West Side Creative Market in Rehoboth. Pre-sale tickets are available at bit.ly/3BEinUB.
“She’s a Delaware girl, a skimboarder who lives in California now,” Wilson said. “It features John Weber, another top local skimmer.”
The Art of Skim fundraiser is set for 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, at Ivy in Dewey, where attendees have the opportunity to win mini painted skimboards through a silent auction.
“It’s grown every year with the quality of artists,” Wilson said, noting those two events, as well as the skim contest, are for people of all ages.
The official afterparty for adults will be held from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 14, at Nalu in Dewey, with DJ Woody B entertaining.
Entry deadline for skimmers is midnight, Friday, Aug. 5, and late entries will be accepted until midnight, Wednesday, Aug. 10, for an additional late fee of $10. No entries will be accepted after Aug. 10.
To register or for more information, go to alleyoopskim.com.
