After five years of trying to get an earlier date for the Exile Skimboards and Main Street Oktoberfest, a permit was finally issued for the weekend of October 2nd 2010. The date change appears to be paying off. Arriving at the contest site at 7:30, the sun was out but a nasty south wind had picked up, putting a weighing heavily upon the mood at the beach. Additionally, dark and ominous clouds loomed on the horizon. People spoke in jest of “the curse of Oktoberfest”.

As the first heat of pros ran, some large drops of tropical rain could be felt here and there. By the end of the heat it was time to run for cover as those few drops turned into a full on tropical downpour. The entire crowd huddled under tents, umbrellas and the pier taking shelter from the completely uncharacteristic warm and wet weather. People were smiling and shaking their heads, laughing at the comedy of it all.

Then, within minutes it was over. The sun came out, the waves continued getting more glassy and the swell even picked up with the incoming tide. Conditions continued to get better and better throughout the initial round of pros and spirits were high.

Bill Bryan. What else can be said…? The man is a machine, taking on challengers less than half his age, and everywhere in between, he still emerges victorious almost every time. Despite close competition in every single heat, Bill somehow manages to remain .5 points ahead everytime. He not only the best skimboarder of all time, he really is one of the best competitors of all time. If this guy had picked up golf instead of skimboarding you would be watching him sink 40′ puts for eagle on ESPN to take home the cash. If I had only one word to describe him, that word would be “clutch”. The man is just clutch.

Omar Meddeb skimmed explosively to a solid 6th place finish, his highest yet in a major event but probably a sign of things to come. New dad Paulo Prietto impressed all weekend long but came up just a little short in a challenging semi-final which opened up an opportunity for the likes of Teddy Vlasis to make his second final in a row, after making some impressions of his own Saturday and Sunday! Sam Stinnett who won lasy years event was a points leader in more than one round leading up to the final, but came up a couple points short in the final, placing third. Brandon Sears skimmed solidly in the final but did not have enough strength on his forehand and wound up settling for 2nd place for the 2nd year in a row. Hey, thats not all bad… but in the end there can be only one. At this event, as in most events this year, that was Bill Bryan.

Congratulations to all. It was a pleasure to spend time with you at one of the most memorable events in quite some time.

Song: Janelle Monáe – Many Moons

Skimboarders: Paulo Prietto, Bill Bryan, Jamie Lovett, Sam Stinnett, Austin Keen.

Location: California