Words: Sydney Pizza
As quickly as it came is as quick as it is leaving. The last stop of the 2026 Skim USA Tour is here, in none other than the beautiful Sea Bright Beach, New Jersey. With tour titles on the line and last bragging rights to claim, we are in for quite the week The most exciting tour races for Team Zap to be decided this weekend are, the Pro Men, between our very own Mason Broussard and Elian Juarez; the Boys division, Gio Tomasi and Brody Chandler-Thompson; the Jr. Men’s division, Yuan Bonhayag and Lachlan Sweeney.
Day one was as beautiful of a day as we could ask for. A southwest wind gave us a breezy 76 degree day, with some cloud coverage as a break from the sun, and about a knee-high southeast swell, making conditions fun. A lay day for the Professional Men and Women as the best of conditions are arriving on finals day, it was an all-amateur spectacle.
Starting off the day strong with the Women’s division, Willow Huellemeier was looking strong in her Semi-Final in search of her first win this weekend. If her final heat goes at all as her Semi-Final did today, this weekend could be her weekend! With backside bashes and shuv-its on the lip, to three-shuvs on the flats, Willow killed it!
From there the Men’s and Girls’ divisions took center stage, showcasing great skill. Then the Boys hit the water and in full disclosure made some lack luster waves look like chest-high fun. In the first Quarterfinal heat, Gio Tomasi absolutely killed it, with fat backside bashes, liners both frontside and backside to three shuvs, and three shuvs out to nice wraps. Backing him up, fellow team rider Brody Chandler-Thompson also had a day! Sticking to his guns, with some of the longest liners of the whole contest, to alley oop 360s back up the beach. Not to mention some of the steeziest speed runs to pop three shuvs and air re-entries to seal the deal.
Then came the Masters’ division and straight into the Semi-Professional division where out boy Gio had a field day, taking the win! He used strategy and skill to his advantage, with combos-a-plenty, Gio delivered and secured a spot in finals days to lock-in his second ever Semi-Pro podium finish.
After that rolled in the Mini Boys and Girls, who absolutely ripped. Followed by the Menehunes, Jr. Women, Jr. Men, and Menehune Semi Finals, to bring us straight back to the Boys for their Semi Finals! In separate Semi Finals, Gio and Brody went back into action, with more combos, snuck into barrels and even longer liners than in the morning as the wind picked up a little more. Both with distinct style and finesse showcase great skimboarding that gets the crowd going! We are amped for tomorrow’s final!
Rounding out the day, the Senior Grandmasters, and Legends divisions, have set us up for a great finals day!
For all the details, click here: https://liveheats.com/events/493068
