Lucas Fink of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil took the top spot at the eighth annual TAC Skimblast on June 25th at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, CA. Professional men entrants included 25 riders from Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Florida, Southern California and Santa Cruz. Entrants also included 2019 UST champion Lucas Fink, 2021 UST champion, Gerardo Valencia from Barra de Navidad, Mexico, and four-time UST champion Sam Stinnett from Laguna Beach, CA.
Dane Cameron with a Clean Wrap Barrel | Photo: Mary Patino-Mota (IG)
Throughout the first two rounds in the early morning, riders like Lucas Fink, Sam Stinnett and Gerardo Valencia used the sider to connect to the biggest waves of the morning. During the evening rounds, other riders like Dane Cameron and Jeremiah Sheldon picked off some of the best waves of their heats and progressed to the semifinals alongside Sam Stinnett and Lucas Fink.
The final was decided between Lucas Fink and Dane Cameron. Highlights of the final included Fink driving into the biggest backside barrel of the day. Another highlight was Cameron landing two 360-shuvits out to a backside wrap in the final seconds of the heat. While Cameron put up a solid battle finding some of the cleanest barrels of the heat, ultimately Lucas edged him out combining both ultra technical riding and power skimming.
Yahir Valencia Backside Air | Photo: Mary Patino-Mota (IG)
“The first stop of the UST was amazing. I started off the year super well, just how I wanted to,” said Lucas Fink after his win. “During Covid I had the opportunity to get into other stuff, doing big-wave skimboarding and a documentary with RedBull. It was amazing of course, the time of my life. I grew so much as a skimboarder and as a person, but at the same time I was missing so much, being in my environment at the skim comps. The last UST contest I did was the Oktoberfest in 2019 when I won the title. I had a good pre-season in Brazil at the local comps, but now finally I’m back at the UST. I’m looking forward to take back what was mine. I want to take back the UST title again. I’m super motivated for this season. We already saw the level of skimboarding keeps on progressing. I’m sure there will be more at the next stops. I can’t wait.”
The 2022 event was the first time the TAC Skimblast ran since 2019. Unable to obtain permits in both 2020 and 2021 due to covid restrictions, the contest was canceled both years.
Sam Stinnett Frontside Air in the Semi Finals | Photo: Mary Patino-Mota (IG)
“We are stoked to host a UST competition again at Third Ave,” said Ben Koscielniak, contest director and competitor. “Since I was a grom we’ve had professionals from around the world visit Santa Cruz for our annual event. I took over as the contest director in 2013, and I’m honored to be able to play host and welcome these riders back after a long two years off.”
Remaining men’s tour events include the OBX Skim Jam in Nags Head, N.C., on July 16-17, Zap Championships in Dewey Beach, Delaware, on Aug. 12-14, The Vic West in Laguna Beach on Aug. 27-28, Intrafalgar Dogflut in Cádiz, Spain on Sept. 10-11, and Exile Oktoberfest in Newport Beach on Sept. 17-18. Points from the best four placings count toward each skimboarder’s 2022 UST points total.
Final Pro Men Results
- Lucas Fink – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Dane Cameron – Laguna Beach, CA
- Jeremiah Sheldon – Balboa, CA
- Sam Stinnett – Laguna Beach, CA
- Yahir Valencia – Barra de Navidad, México
- Gerardo Valencia – Barra de Navidad, México
Words by David Haefele
Photos by Mary Patino-Mota (IG)
