VERO BEACH – Improving over last year’s Skim Jam at Mulligan’s in Vero Beach, organizers said they couldn’t have asked for better surf or weather.
Hurricane Earl and the remnants of Tropical Storm Fiona, too, didn’t hurt, as waves crested a couple feet tall.
“We’ve been very lucky every year,” said organizer Chris Ellison of the weather.
Last year, strong winds whipped the waters into tall waves. This year it was the activity out in the Atlantic.
More than 70 skimboarders from around the state descended on the beach off Sexton Plaza Saturday to take part in the Third Annual Mulligan’s Skim Jam to benefit the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Organizer and Skim Jam Mastermind Rus King said they chose St. Jude’s because he has had friends who have benefited from the hospital.
“It’s always been a favorite charity of mine,” he said.
The Skim Jam is different from most skimboarding competitions, according to King. He explained that they have split the competition into four divisions based on ability rather than by age and gender.
“That seems to do well,” King said of their format.
Such divisions were named: “I Suck,” “I’m Good,” “I’m Better,” and “I’m Going Pro Tomorrow.”
“Every year it gets bigger,” Ellison said of the event, crediting the sponsors for the success of the fund-raiser.
“They’ve been so accommodating,” Ellison said of Mulligan’s Grill and Raw Bar, which offered breakfast specials.
“It’s really great to do something we love to do and the community supports us,” he added.
Due to the support of the annual Skim Jam, King plans to hold another one in about six months.
He said that by holding more events, they have the opportunity to raise that much more money for St. Jude’s.
Skim Jam organizers wish to thank the following sponsors for supporting their event:
Connery Concrete
Morning Star Custom Printing
Deep Six
Mulligan’s
Emlett Lawn Service
No Bull PR
Epic Sessions
Schlitt Electrical Contracting
Exile
School Uniforms
Filthy McNasty’s
Skim City
Freak Traction
Slotstik Skimboards
G&B Trophies & Signs
The Shop
Gatzke Insurance Agency
Vero Marine Center
His & Her Hair Styling
Waldo’s
Inner Rhythm Surf
Wave Zone Skimboards
J&J Auto Works Inc.
Zapp Skimboards
