2020 Kneeboard Surfing World Titles
Dunedin, New Zealand
US Team
In July 1981, while I was Boogie boarding at OB, my mom spotted a beautiful red Sunset kneeboard in the surf shop that’s now owned by Bird’s Surf Shed. A couple weeks later, Greg Little took me and my brother down to Blacks Beach. It was head-high and perfect. That’s pretty much what we’ve been doing ever since.
Age Division: Veterans
Contest Experience:
I entered my first contest in 1983. This will be my fourth World Titles having previously competed in:
- 1996 World Titles in Wollongong (knocked out on interference)
- 1999 World Titles in Opunake (equal 5th)
- 2004 World Titles in Tahiti (equal 5th)
- 2007 World Titles in Santa Cruz (equal 5th).
- All KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2003 – 2019 – 6 Time US Kneeboard Champion
Most Memorable Contest Experience: At Opunake in 1999, the waves were so good during the Finals Day, Dave Weinbaum, Greg Little, Bob Schiff and I blew off the Team Event and freesurfed the break just down the beach at Puniho Road. Those were some of the strongest offshore winds I’ve ever surfed with some insane barrels. Sorry to leaving you hanging Don Harris!!!
What boards are you taking: 5’3 K-58 “OTB” model and 5’9 K-58 “OTB” model
Sponsors: K58 Surf Boards and my wife (thanks for all your love and support!)
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: It’s my first real surf trip in five years! Let’s go TEAM USA!!!
Chris Beresford is the second ranked member of the US Team. Chris is a former US Kneeboard Surfing Open Division Champion. Chris can be found surfing Blacks or the La Jolla reefs whenever the surf gets heavy.
Age Division: Veterans
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles – former Open Division Champion
- 2019 US Kneeboard Titles – 2nd Open Division
Most Memorable Contest Experience: My Mom trying to feed Halloween candy corn to fifty-somethings Jack and I just before we paddled out for a heat in IB.
What boards are you taking: Eric Schoelkopf (since 1990!) 6’0″
Sponsors: None
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Finding a McDonald’s with Jack
Sam Coyne grew up in San Diego surfing Blacks, La Jolla reefs, and Point Loma surrounding breaks. Spent considerable time in the Central California area (San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz) where my surfing really took off, getting to surf much heavier waves. I’ve been living in Auckland, New Zealand since March 2019, getting to surf many more point breaks with some high-quality beach breaks.
Age Division: Seniors
Contest Experience:
- 1st place in the last 2 Taranaki Regional Contest
- 1st place Pro Junior KSUSA contest 2019
- 3X finalist in KSUSA Open (2016-2018)
- 3X finalist in Pro Junior World Titles
- Consistently surfed in KSUSA contests since 2004
Most Memorable Contest Experience: The KSUSA has added a junior/pro junior division to the US national titles for a long time in order to help the younger generation of kneeboarders. I’ve come close, but never have won it in the decade+ of contests I’ve surfed in. But, in 2019 I finally won. It was especially special since it would be my last year as a junior/pro junior.
What boards are you taking: I’m taking a brand-new SD Kneeboard made especially for this contest.
- 5’6″ x 23″ Round pin, quad, SD Kneeboard (waves 4-10′)
- 5’4″ x 23″ Squash tail, quad, SD Kneeboard (waves 1-4′)
- 5’9″ x 22″ Fish, SD Kneeboard (waves 10’+)
Sponsors: SD Kneeboards (Joe Taylor, Mark Sweeny), Surf Systems/Cove Pads (Casey Patelsky), KneeloNation (Tom Fish), DMC Fins
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Getting some high quality waves in a beautiful part of the world.
Shaun Murphy is ranked third on the KSUSA contest circuit in 2019, having placed in the finals at every event. One of the younger members of the US Team, he is a super competitive kneelo vying for the top spot at every contest he enters.
Age Division: Pro Juniors
Contest Experience: My most notable contest result would have to be in last years 2019 KSUSA US Titles in which I finally made it to the Open final. Before that was probably one of my first contests way back in 2007 at Steamer lane (Worlds) in which I won my age division as a Junior. There wasn’t very many of us in that bracket but the waves were pumping for the final, it was epic to have the lane to ourselves!
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2005 – 2019
former Junior Division Champion - 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, CA – Junior Division Champion
- 2019 US Kneeboard Titles – 3rd Open Division
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Most memorable contest experience would have to be scoring a perfect 10 in Huntington a couple years back. Pulled into a nice A-frame backdoor and came out clean, then finished with a round house cutty’. Fun stuff.
What boards are you taking: I’m bringing 2 boards shaped by Joe Taylor under SD kneeboards. One is a rad 6’3” rounded pin. The other one is JTs Fish model, just tweaked a bit for me. This green machine is riding on Hanalei fins the “Q2’s”. The board is fast and loose, and I’m lovin’ it like a fat kid likes McDonald’s!
Sponsors: SD Kneeboards (Joe Taylor, Mark Sweeny), Surf Systems/Cove Pads (Casey Patelsky), KneeloNation (Tom Fish), Yucca Fins
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: I’m looking forward to everything honestly! I’m excited to be surfing new waves in a part of the world I’ve never been to. Hopefully try some new food and learn about NZ’s culture a bit more. Can’t wait to be in New Zealand meeting new brothas and sisters from all over and running into some old friends I met back in 2007. It’ll be fun to share the stoke and camaraderie with some legends and beyond stoked to represent team USA!
Eric Peterson is ranked fourth on the KSUSA contest circuit this year. Eric’s consistently strong surfing saw him into the finals of every event in 2019. Eric is a regular at the barreling beach breaks of Newport and a member of the Kneelo Cove Crew.
Age Division: Veterans
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles
- 2019 US Kneeboard Titles – 4th Open Division
- 2013-14 NSSA Southwest Explorer Kneeboard Conference
Most Memorable Contest Experience: The NSSA contest in 2012 at 9th street, because this was the first contest I had competed in since High School.
What boards are you taking: A 5’7 quad and 5’8 quad, both Romanosky’s
Sponsors: My wife and daughters are my sponsors.
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Looking forward to seeing the Worlds best kneeboarders all competing for the Title.
Tom Backer is a two-time US Kneeboard Titles Open Division Champion and NSSA Kneeboard Champion. Tom is a hard charging local at Huntington Pier and Kneelo Cove.
Age Division: Kahunas
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2003 – 2019
- Open Division Champion 2008 & 2017
- Second Open Division 2011
- 1979, 1980 NSSA National Champion
- 2004 Surfer Bowl, O.B., Champion
- 2008 WSA Ventura, Open – Champion
- 2009 World Titles, Opunake, New Zealand, 4th – Grand Masters
- 2011 World Titles, Phillip Island, Australia
Most Memorable Contest Experience: I can’t pick just one! I would have say overall getting to surf in heats with everyone and watching people rise to the occasion.
What boards are you taking: KJA 5’10” chovey quad and a 5′ 9″ Shoelkopf quad
Sponsors: JB and WKtmgeek and Associates, and KSUSA for sponsoring airfare for this trip
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Surfing some of the great waves of New Zealand and reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.
Tom Linn is a long-time member of the KSUSA executive team and contest organizer. Tom is the most experienced competitor representing Team USA. Tom is a Salt Creek local.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- 1986 Amateur World Titles – 4th
- 2002 World Titles, AUS, Masters – 3rd
- 2003 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2004 USSF US Championships, Oceanside – 4th
- 2004 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz, Open – 3rd
- 2005 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, Grandmasters – Champion
- 2008 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2009 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2009 World Titles, Opunake, New Zealand – 3rd Veterans
- 2010 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach, AAA – 2nd
- 2011 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach
- 2011 World Titles, Phillip Island, Australia
- 2014 NSSA Kneeboard Series, Champion
- 2017 World Titles, Somo, Spain
- 2018 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach, AAA 1st
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Competing in the 1986 Amateur World Titles in Newquay, England along with Michael Novakov (1st place) who did a barrel roll in the grand final and Simon Farrer (2nd place). My teammate on the US Team was a young Kelly Slater.
What boards are you taking:
Sponsors: Infinity Kneeboards/ Infinity Surfboards
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Catching up with old friends and meeting new friends in the world kneeboard community.
Brad Colwell the defending World Titles, Legends divison champion. Brad is the KSUSA President and long-time member of the KSUSA contest committee. He is the goodwill ambassador for kneeboarding. Always smiling, always positive. Don’t let that smile fool you, he is a serious competitor. Brad is a Blacks Beach regular.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- All KSUSA Titles 2004-2019
- 2005 KSUSA Titles AA Division 4th Place
- 2011 KSUSA Titles AA Division Champion
- 2014 KSUSA Titles AAA Division Champion
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2009 World Titles, New Zealand
- 2011 World Titles, Phillip Island, Australia
- 2015 World Titles, Kiama, Australia – Kahunas 3rd Place
- 2017 World Titles, Somo, Spain-Legends Champion
- 2019 Phillip Island Kneeboard Pro
- 2013-14 NSSA Southwest Explorer Kneeboard-Conference Champion
- Wildcoast Dempsey Holder Ocean Festival 2012-2019
2012, 2013, 2015 – Champion
Most Memorable Contest Experience: 2017 World Titles-Somo, Spain winning the Legends. You don’t get many opportunities to win a World Division Title and the competition is stiff. The surf was not very good during the final but I got a good enough wave with under 5 minutes remaining to edge out the win.
What boards are you taking: Two Flashpoints. My newest is a 5’9″ double-flyer swallow tail thruster and my 5’7” chopped square tail thruster. These two will cover me in any type of surf we may get. Bruce Hart has created several beautiful boards for me!
Sponsors: None personally, but I’m stoked for the generosity of the kneeboard shapers who have supported and continue to support KSUSA and kneeboarding around the world.
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Being able to explore this amazing country with my wife, and to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.
Chris Linn is one of hard charging our younger team members. Chris honed his competitive skills coming up through the KSUSA Junior Division, and surfing his local break at Salt Creek. These days you can count on seeing Chris in the later rounds of the Open division.
Age Division: Pro Juniors
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles
- Phillip Island Kneeboard Pro
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, CA
- 2009 World Titles, Opanake, New Zealand
- 2011 World Titles, Phillip Island, Australia
Most Memorable Contest Experience:
What boards are you taking:
Sponsors:
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand:
Joe Coyne is the web master for KSUSA and member of the team that organizes KSUSA contests. Joe is a regular at Blacks.
Age Division: Kahunas
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2004 – 2019
2nd AA Division 2019 - Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2007 Santa Cruz
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2011 Phillip Island, Australia
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2015 Kiama, Australia
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2017 Somo, Spain
Most Memorable Contest Experience: This year I made my first podium finish with a 2nd in the KSUSA US Titles, AA Division. Watching Brad and Bob win their age divisions in Spain was right up there too.
What boards are you taking: Bruce Hart shaped Flashpoint 5’8” chop tail and a step up
Sponsors: I’m thankful for the support of my family and friend.
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Looking forward to getting together with kneeboarding friends from around the world, finding some great surf spots, exploring the beautiful country of New Zealand, and a wedding on the North Island.
69 year old Bob Gove has been kneeboarding for the last 53 years and has surfed all over the world. One of his favorite spots is Isla Natividad in Baja California Sur. He has had a place in Rosarito Beach, Mexico for over 40 years, and surfs northern Baja more often than his home break, Black’s beach.
Age Division: Immortals
Contest Experience: In the World Titles he finished second behind John Mel in the Real Old Bastards division, in 2007 at Santa Cruz, 1st place in the Legends division in Phillip Island Australia 2011, and 1st again in the Immortals, Somo Spain, 2017.
- 2003 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2004 World Titles, Tahiti
- 2004 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2005 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, ROBs – 2nd
- 2008 KSUSA Titles, Oceanside
- 2009 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2009 World Titles, Opunake, New Zealand
- 2010 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach, Open – 4th
- 2011 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach, AAA – Champion
- 2011 World Titles, Phillip Island, Australia – Legends 1st
- 2017 World Titles, Somo, Spain – Immortals 1st
- 2019 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach
- 2019 Walter Coloca Surf Open – Kneeboard Division 1st
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Getting into the open finals at the nationals in Huntington and going up against Jack Beresford. Never thought that would happen.
What boards are you taking: James Mangano, K58
Matt Cunningham is a long time Blacks Kneelo Crew member. Matt returned to competition with an impressive podium finish in 2014 and a semifinals appearance in the Open division at the 2017 KSUSA Titles.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- 1978 Lowenbrau Contest at Blacks Beach
- 2014 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach – AAA 2nd
- 2017 KSUSA Titles, Oceanside
- 2017 World Titles, Somo, Spain
- 2019 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach
Most Memorable Contest Experience: I finish second in the AAA in Huntington in 2015 but my most memorable experience was 2017 with a close third in a semifinal with Tom Linn, Mike Butler, and Tom Backer. What a pleasure to surf with three people whose surfing I have known and followed and I consider outstanding contributors to the sport and community.
What boards are you taking: Two Blast Kneeboards. 1.) A 6 foot Fish F2K. 2.) A Blast modified stub vector swallowtail with wings made for a beach break
Sponsors: My wife and kids.
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: The brotherhood of kneelos and the country.
First “wave” ever surfed? Yep, straight from the Movies – BIG SURF artificial wave pool in Arizona in the late 1970’s when I was a kid. Went to “surf camp” every summer in Carlsbad to get out of the Arizona heat after that. Later became a camp counselor there and taught kids how to surf. After graduating from college, moved full time to San Diego in 1995, and saw something in the water there that changed my life. A guy riding a kneeboard at PB Point. Finally got one in 2004 and have loved every minute of it.
Favorite Summer Spot – South Bird Rock, La Jolla
Favorite Winter spot – Hermos/P.B. Point
Age Division: Grand Masters
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Surfing Huntington Pier for the first time and winning the KSUSA AA Division in 2018.
What boards are you taking: Taking a step-up (I love kneeboarding big waves), a regular, and a groveler kneeboard all made by Barry Snyder in Oceanside, CA
Shaper: Barry Snyder Designs
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: I’m looking forward to seeing some Hobbits in New Zealand, Misty Mountains, Drum Circles, Fire Pits, Good Beer and nice walls to smack.
Greg Shewman started kneeboarding in 1970 and is a veteran kneeboard competitor and lifelong Huntington Beach local and inductee into the Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2003 – 2019
- 2010 KSUSA US Titles, AAA – Champion
- 2002 World Titles, AUS
- 2004 Surfer Bowl, OB, 4th
- 2004 USSF US Championships, Oceanside
- 2005 USSF US Championships, Oceanside
- 2008 WSA Ventura, 3rd
- 2009 World Titles, Opunake, New Zealand
- 2011 World Titles, Phillip Island, Australia
Most Memorable Contest Experience:
What boards are you taking:
Shapers: Bud McCray, David Parkes
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand:
I started surfing when I was 11, became pretty good at it; six years later I started rowing, became pretty good at that too; five years after that, I’m ready to surf again.
Age Division: Pro Junior
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles
- 2011 World Titles, Phillip Island, Australia
- 2012 KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles – Grommets Champion
- 2012 KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles – Junior Champion
- 2014 KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles – Junior Champion
Most Memorable Contest Experience: The championship I won in 2012, I got into a good rhythm and knew I could win after my first wave of the final.
What boards are you taking: 5’10” pin thruster Flashpoint, 6’ pin tail thruster Flashpoint, and 6’1” swallow tail quad Parkes
Sponsors: My parents have always supported me and my endeavors, and this contest is no exception. Brad Colwell has given support and help since I began surfing. It is with their help and support that I will be able to travel and compete at this years contest.
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Waking up to the ocean every morning
Milon Wyle started kneeboarding on a Hansen belly board in 1970. The next year he convinced his Dad to purchase an El Paipo kneeboard (with handles) from an ad in the back of Surfer magazine and he never looked back. Milon lived, worked and surfed around the world during his 30 year career launching satellites. In 2016 he relocated back home with his wife and surfs the warm waters of Cocoa Beach Florida. Milon is the only competitor representing the East “right” coast of the USA. He recently traveled to California to join the US Team in the 2019 KSUSA Contest Series and to warm up for the World Titles.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience: Two total….
- 2019 Dempsey Holder Ocean Festival and Surf Contest
- 2019 WSA Avalanche-Ocean Beach Contest
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Finally meeting and surfing with other kneelos when in SoCal.
What boards are you taking: 5’8″ Romanosky and a 5’9″ Blast. Both round pins
Sponsors: My loving wife and Forcefins.
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Bucket list trip with my wife. Surfing NZ for 2 weeks and then another 4 weeks surfing and tooling around Australia.
Roger Hughes represents the surf Mecca of Santa Cruz for Team USA. Roger has been a strong competitor in KSUSA contests since 2004. Roger is at home in the heavy beach breaks and reefs of Monterrey and Santa Cruz.
Age Division: Veteran
Contest Experience:
- 2004 US Titles Santa Cruz: Second place AA division and Most Radical Maneuver trophy, which to this day is the trophy I’m most proud to own. This contest was at Pleasure Point.
- 2005 US Titles Santa Cruz: 2nd Place, in the open. This contest was at Steamer Lane.
- 2009 US Titles Santa Cruz: First place AA division, which by far were the best waves I have ever surfed at Steamer Lane.
- 2014 US Titles Huntington Pier: Third place AAA. The difference between this contest and the other contests was everyone was surfing at their prime. It seemed to me the common denominator was Bruce Hart’s Flashpoint surfboards, I was sold.
- 2017 US Titles Oceanside: Third place AAA Division.
- 2017 World Titles, Spain
What boards are you taking: I will be taking three Flashpoints to New Zealand. 6-0 chop tail, a 6-0 rounded pintail and a 6-4 rounded pintail
Sponsors: My sponsor is O’Neil Surf Shop. They have been taking care of me for over 30 years. I’m on the local team, not international, which is a couple of free suits a year and a decent discount. Rest In Peace Jack O’Neil.
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: I am really looking forward to getting together with a lot of other Knee-boarders, some I’ve met and some I have not.
Kneeboarding for 48 years, and I can still get stoked like a grom. I recently moved from Silicon Valley in NorCal down to Oxnard in SoCal, changing from the point breaks of Santa Cruz to the beach breaks of the south Ventura County.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience: I’ve done most of the KSUSA contests with mixed results, but was privileged to surf in two previous World Kneeboard Contests; I felt I surfed well in both the Open and placed well in my age division.
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles since 2003
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, CA
- 2009 World Titles, Opanake, New Zealand
Most Memorable Contest Experience: The entire New Zealand contest was a life highlight, from the quality surf to the nightly events. I especially enjoyed collaborating with our Team to write the digital copy that was posted nightly on the KSUSA website to keep everyone at home updated, along with an occasional quick video, and the experience of life together with Team KSUSA during and after the daily contesting.
What boards are you taking: Two very similar SD squaretails, one 6’4″ polyurethane and one 6’3″ ESP/epoxy.
Sponsors: Thanks to Joe Taylor for truly enlightened shaping to up my game, and to Casey Patelski for the rad Cove Pads and GryptaLite.
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Taking my wife, Pam, with me on this return trip to NZ. It will be our longest vacation away together in our 40+ years of marriage! I loved the amazing scenery of the countryside, plus the warm people of New Zealand; I’m looking forward to making new friends.
Related Articles
0 Comments
Add comment
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.