After winning the Florida Pro/Am this weekend in Vilano Beach, professional skimboarder Lucas Fink has clinched the 2019 United Skim Tour championship title in the professional men’s division. This is the first championship title for Lucas, and as an international rider from Rio De Jainero, Brazil, Lucas is the first non-American skimboarder to win the United Skim Tour.
Lucas’s win at Vilano Beach was his fourth victory this year after taking first in the Outer Banks, NC, first in Dewey Beach, DE, and first in Laguna Beach, CA. Further, Lucas placed second at the first contest of the year in Santa Cruz, CA, only after an interference call cost him his highest score in the final heat against Blair Conklin. With one event remaining in Newport Beach, CA, Lucas has secured his points lead over other top skimboarders including current number two ranked Blair Conklin and number three ranked John Weber.
“It’s always been a dream to win the UST,” Lucas said of his win. “I set it as my main goal this year. I’m not only doing this for me. I’m trying to represent the other international riders who aim to win the title themselves one day. It’s great to show them this is possible and to open this path for other skimboarders.” Lucas went on to explain that there are a lot of underground riders who could compete at the top level. “We know just from watching clips online that we have incredible talent all over the world. There are guys from Brazil, Mexico, Europe, the Philippines, Japan. If all those guys could make it to the competitions out here, I’m pretty sure they would give everyone a hard time.”
This title win in 2019 comes after Lucas took second place in 2018 to three-time UST champion Blair Conklin. “Somehow, I think last year was kind of good, because it made me go harder this year,” Lucas explained of his second place finish in 2018. Lucas came up just a few points short in 2018, placing 4th place in the final event of the year when a 3rd place finish or higher would have earned him the 2018 title. “At that moment I was sad, but I think it affected me very positively. That was a big lesson. It made me learn a lot and be more focused going into this year.”
At just 21 years old, Lucas has brought a new level of technical riding into the sport of competitive skimboarding. He’s introduced new combinations of tricks never before seen in UST competition including combos like two 360-shuvits before wrapping a wave, a ride he completed at the first stop in Santa Cruz, CA. His big-wave skills were also proven this year during his win at the Victoria Championships in Laguna Beach, a competition known for rewarding high scores for the biggest and most critical waves. “The Vic was the game changer. I really wanted to prove myself there in big waves. I was stoked to be the first international rider to win the Vic.”
Lucas credits his support system for his success, explaining that starting out his family helped a lot to get him to competitions in the United States and other far away destinations. “It was definitely harder to make it to the US starting off, with me and my family paying for everything. Once the sponsors started coming in, it helps make it a lot easier. I’m really thankful for them. I’d like to thank my family, friends, girlfriend, Hotzone, Palaphita, Redbull, Exile, HotButtered, Burpee Brasil, Ipanema Pilates, Cinco Pilares, Marcio Libar, and everyone who helped me out somehow through this journey.”
About the United Skim Tour
The United Skim Tour is the world’s only international professional skimboard tour. It exists as a sanctioning body for skimboarding events on both coasts of the United States and abroad. The goal of the UST is to promote the growth and legitimacy of professional skimboarding and the sport itself. The men’s professional division of the 2019 UST circuit includes six competitions, three on the west coast of the United States and three on the east coast.
Photos: Kevin Newcomer, Vativ Media (IG | Vativ Media), Joe Downie (IG | JoeDownie.com) & Andre Magarao (IG | AndreMagarao.com)