Words: Jason Wilson / Media: Devin Demenezes
The 2023 Oktoberfest took place at Balboa Pier in Newport Beach, California on September 16th and 17th. This was the final stop for the United Skim Tour for the 2023 season, counting for both the Men’s division and the Women’s division. Leading up to the event, the Men’s UST title had already been clinched and awarded to Lucas Fink of Brazil, but the Women’s UST title was still undecided with both Chabe White and Zap Team Rider Casey McCullough having a chance to win the title.
Casey McCullough dominated with power skimming to take the win at Oktoberfest; however, because White advanced to the final and finished in second, she clinched the 2023 Women’s UST title with Casey finishing in second. Sydney Pizza continued her consistent competition skimboarding, finishing 5th in the Oktoberfest and Women’s division for the 2023 United Skim Tour season.
On the men’s side of the competition, Yahir Valencia emerged as the winner of the event, his second win of the 2023 UST season. Both Valencia brothers, Gerardo and Yahir, stood out as the skimboarders who could slide out for the biggest waves throughout the competition. They were the top performers for team zap on the men’s side of competition finishing first and third along with Mason Broussard who skimmed strong all weekend finishing in eighth place.
It was a successful season for team Zap competing on the United Skim Tour in the men’s division with Yahir finishing second, Gerardo finishing seventh, and Bruno Sá’ finishing ninth! We look forward to the 2024 season where the team will continue to strive for top honors and the World Champion title.
