The KSUSA 2022 US Kneeboard Titles and Festival returned to Huntington Beach Pier on Friday, February 18^th.  As with every US Titles held at the pier, the waves and weather came together for a full day of competition.  We had clean glassy waves that ranged from waist to shoulder high, under bright sunny skies.  This made for contestable conditions throughout the day.  Overall, we had an outstanding day of surf with a great atmosphere for kneeboarders to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.  Everyone, from friends and family, spectators on the pier or beach, and sponsors enjoyed the competition.

Congratulations to the 2022 US Kneeboard Titles Champion Tom Backer of Huntington Beach!  This was Tom’s 3^rd US Title–extending his impressive record.  The only other surfer with more than one US Title is San Diego’s Jack Beresford (6).  Tom’s Title was impressive given the strong field.  Early in the heat Tom caught a right and pulled a radical, vertical reentry on a dredging closeout, much to the delight of the crowd on the beach.  This wave put him firmly in the lead and he was able to back it up to secure the win.  Surfing in his first US Kneeboard Titles, 2021 WSL Longboard Tour #6, Kevin Skvarna, ran off several heat wins to earn a place in the final.  Kevin’s impressive radical attack was good for second place and the admiration of all.  2018 US Titles Champion Gigs Celliers traveled from South Africa and came close to earning his second US Title.  Current Pro Junior World Champion Shaun Murphy took fourth but cleanly landed a couple of nice end-section hits.  Shaun made the trip from Hawaii to compete, and he has now made consecutive trips to the Open Final (he earned a second in 2019).

Huntington Beach’s Tom Backer, Open Division winner of the 2022 Kneeboard Surfing USA Titles. Photo by Mike Fernandez

At the Awards Ceremony Tom was presented with the new Don Harris Memorial Trophy by Don’s wife Bonnie and daughter Lana.  The Trophy is stunning and was designed by Curtis Odom of Trimco Hardware.  It is a perpetual trophy and has the names of all past KSUSA Champions engraved on it.  Tom’s name will be added for 2022, as will the names of all future Champions.

Adam Shapiro from South Africa won the AAA, and Sean Noone, who grew up in SA, took the AA.  Both surf with determination that complements their impressive skill and competitive experience.  Congratulations to both.

South African Team (L-R) Sean Noone, Johnny Kessel, Gigs Celliers, Adam Shapiro

Kevin Skvarna won the Pro Junior division (20-29) making it a total of six heats on the day for Kevin.

We are proud of Milo Evans (11) who surfed in the Pro Junior heat and is now the 2022 US Kneeboard Titles Junior Champion!  Milo was beaming as he received his medal and his smile lit up the entire patio.

Congratulations to Patricia Hook who earned her first US Kneeboard Women’s Title.  Patricia traveled from the Outer Banks to surf in the Titles for the first time.  Past Women’s Champion Cynthia Wornham took second.

The Western Surfing Association (WSA) again collaborated with us for this year’s Titles, and we thank them for helping to provide a smooth contest from start to finish.  Ed Dimick deserves recognition for organizing the overall contest schedule, heat progressions, and for working seamlessly with WSA to help make their job easier.

At this point, it is important to note the absence of our dear friend Rick ‘Rockin’ Fig’ Fignetti on the microphone at this year’s Titles due to his untimely passing last July.  Fig always did an outstanding job during long 9-hour days with hardly any breaks, all the while maintaining energy, creativity, and humor. We miss you Fig and will always remember your love for the kneeriders.

In this sentiment we also acknowledge the passing of Kim Mel last year.  From the beginning in 2003, Kim was an important member of the KSUSA family.  She and John were inseparable and together they gave tremendous service to KSUSA.  More than that, however, were the relationships that so many enjoyed with Kim.

We really want to recognize and thank the Kneelo Cove Crew for coming out and supporting the US Titles and for hanging with the US kneeboard crew who showed up for the Contest.  You guys are the best and are always outstanding hosts.

To those who entered the contest, and those who supported KSUSA with the Raffle and Live Auction, thank you!  Your participation and contributions are significant, appreciated by KSUSA, and help to keep US kneeboard surfing strong.  To those of you who wanted to enter but were unable to because of work,  travel conflicts or injury, we know you were with us in spirit and hope you can join us next time.

I would like to thank my friends on the KSUSA Team, Joe Coyne, Jack Beresford, Tom Linn, Ed Dimick, Robb Masser, and Evan Odom who are all are talented, hardworking, and dedicated to KSUSA’s success.  Thanks to Randy Morris for stepping up to the mic to MC the awards ceremony and raffle/auction.  Also, to Scott Wessling for putting together Don’s slideshow and helping secure a PA system last minute.  Many conference calls and much behinds-the-scenes effort is involved in making the US Titles happen.  Together, we are stoked to support kneeboard surfing and look forward to this event as much as you do!

Our sponsors are incredible and were essential to the overwhelming success of the 2022 Titles.  We had many faithful sponsors return this year and were able to partner with several new ones.  We did our best to recognize and promote these generous sponsors in the weeks leading up to the Titles.  We encourage you to visit their websites, Facebook, and Instagram pages for more information about their products and services.  Please support them as you need new boards and gear.  As you interact with our sponsors, please express your appreciation for their support of the KSUSA Titles.  “Support those who support our sport!”

OFFICIAL SURF SHOP AND PREMIER SPONSOR – TK’s Frog House

PREMIER SPONSORS

Barry Snyder Designs, Bird’s Surf Shed, Blast Surf Designs, Blenders Eyewear, BruSurf, Freeline Design, Casa Sirena Surf Lodge, TK’s Frog House, Parkes Kneeboards, Rick Blake Art, SD Kneeboards, Yucca Fins

EVENT SPONSORS

Bill Lerner, Block Surf, Bolsa Clothing, Dangerclose GoPro Handles, Disorderly Images, Gryptalite High Performance Traction, Hanalei Fins, Hawaiian Line International Apparel, Ho Stevie!, Jeff Wallis Photography, Jeffrey Ommen Photography, Kneelo Nation, Rinse Kit, Stay Covered, Stonefish Skegs, Surf Yogis, Tide Has Turned, Tidelines Calendars, Trimco Hardware, Victory Koredry, Viper Surfing Fins

To our generous sponsors, we hope you can partner with us again in 2023!

Final thanks to all who attended the KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles and Kneeboard Festival either as a competitor, family member, or friend.  The camaraderie and stoke are real, and we have new Champion!

RESULTS-2022:

Open Division
1. Tom Backer, 2. Kevin Skvarna, 3. Gigs Celliers (SA), 4. Shaun Murphy

AAA Division
1. Adam Shapiro (SA), 2. Bill Lerner, 3. Ed Quinn, 4. Chris Linn

AA Division
1. Sean Noone, 2. Wesley Swartz, 3. Jason Foster, 4. Paul Devoy, 5. Johnny Kessel, 6. Michael Tieger

Women’s Division
1. Patricia Hook, 2. Cynthia Wornham

Pro Junior
1. Kevin Skvarna, 2. Chris Linn, 3. Liam O’Callaghan, 4. Evan Odom

Junior
1. Milo Evans