Words: Sydney Pizza // Photos: Jeff Mathis
The 6th Annual Spring Fling took place a little over a week ago and we’re still coming down from all the good times we had! One of the big standout moments from the weekend was our very own Kate Warrington taking the step from the amateur ranks to the pro division! After a successful 2025 season, she felt like it was the time to make the move. This proved to be a solid decision as she handled her first pro heat on the first day of the Spring Fling with no issues and got herself into the semis for the next day. She ended up with a respectable 4th place finish at the end of the event so we sat down with her to see how she felt about it and what her plans are moving forward. Check it out now!
ZAP: Kate! This past weekend was your debut pro event! First of all congratulations, how do you feel about it?
Kate: Yes! Thank you! I’m still thinking about it honestly, it was so fun!
ZAP: What led to this decision? Was it something you had been thinking about, or was it more spur of the moment?
Kate: Well, I have been thinking about it for a while and this just felt like the right time.
ZAP: What was going through your head all weekend?
Kate: Just have fun, no pressure, and enjoy the time…also what tricks I wanted to land!
ZAP: Were you nervous at all, or just excited? Any standout emotions?
Kate: I really wasn’t very nervous, which is surprising for me, it was really more exciting to finally skim as a professional!
ZAP: Your first pro event ever and you finished in 4th place, on the podium, how does that feel?
Kate: It feels great! I’m super satisfied with how my heats went and in the end, it was a great time with the community and Zap team!
ZAP: What is your pre-heat routine? Has it changed any from being an amateur to now?
Kate: Ooo, well it’s nothing super fancy, but something unique that I like to do is juggle before I compete. It calms my mind and helps me focus. I warm up a little bit by doing some basic tricks on the side and then ask the Lord to give me the eyes to choose the right waves! Throwing some cold water on my face always gets me going too! It really hasn’t changed with going pro, at least not yet!
ZAP: Was there any significance to going pro for the Spring Fling or was it just the next contest on the list and fit with the timing?
Kate: It really was just the next contest I competed in, but doing it at the Spring Fling was a bonus because it’s my home beach!
ZAP: How do you feel now, after the contest since you have had some time to decompress?
Kate: I feel thankful to be a professional for the biggest skimboarding company around! It really was the best weekend!
ZAP: You are now a professional woman of skimboarding in a time where we are seeing exponential growth in the female side of the sport, how does that make you feel? Any words of advice to the next generation of women?
Kate: It’s pretty exciting! Being able to encourage the younger generation is such a special thing! As far as advice, always keep skimboarding fun, that’s what it’s supposed to be!
ZAP: What's next? Are you going to do the rest of the Skim USA tour? Any UST contests?
Kate: I’m not exactly sure what’s next! I’m just taking it one step at a time, but excited for what the Lord has in store!
ZAP: Anyone in particular you want to thank?
Kate: Yes! I definitely want to thank Naji Taha, my coach, for all of the time he has put into me in the past 6 years, and we are still going! I especially would like to thank my dad for never missing a practice or contest, and for always being there beside me! And of course, the rest of my family for being the best cheer squad on the edge of the contest zone!
Watch the full recap from the Spring Fling below!