Florida’s Historic Coast is home to one of skimboarding’s longest-running competitions on the planet. The 31st Annual Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am Tournament takes place on Vilano Beach on Aug. 22-24.
When tour founder and event director Steve Pullara moved from Tampa to Vilano Beach in 1989, he already knew and loved the beach and wanted to share the area with others through a skimboarding tournament.
Lined with shoals that produce desirable A-frame peaks, Vilano Beach is now widely considered one of the best skimboarding spots on the East Coast. The tournament attracts nearly 100 competitors and even more spectators from around the world.
“It’s all about skimboarding, from sunrise to sunset,” said Pullara. “We’ll have top-ranking professionals and an array of amateurs facing off on the waves. Our competitors range from 8 years old to over 40, with men’s and women’s divisions. It’s awesome to see the heart they put into their runs. And it’s a chance for spectators to see some of the best athletes competing in the sport. It brings together everything I love — the sport, the community and Vilano.”
Lifelong skimboarder and sports champion Pullara began hosting the Florida Pro/Am Skimboarding Tournament in 1990, introducing the Pro Division in 1996. The tournament is his love letter to a sport that provided him with fun, lifelong friendship, and plenty of memories.
Pullara’s investment in the skimboarding community is apparent in his unique approach to the amateur division. It is the only one in the world that allows amateur athletes two attempts to advance before being eliminated. This creates a more laid-back atmosphere and encourages growth amongst contest newcomers.
Skimboarding originated in the 1920s when two Laguna Beach lifeguards created round disks from redwood and used them to slide across the water. The sport grew from there, with boards transitioning to foam cores covered in resin and fiberglass in the 1980s. Skimboarding’s audience widened when Sports Illustrated featured skimmer Tom Trager on the cover of its September 1987 issue.
Spectators are encouraged to attend the Pro/Am, with its family-friendly environment, tons of action and opportunities to capture one-of-a-kind photos.
