The KSUSA 2023 US Kneeboard Titles and Festival returned to Huntington Beach Pier on Friday, February 17th. As with every US Titles held at The Pier, the waves and weather came together for a full day of competition. On the morning high tide we had a variety of clean waves mixed with some backwash, closeouts, and spitting barrels that ranged from waist to shoulder high. Under high clouds the surf improved with the outgoing tide allowing the outside sandbars to start breaking. 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 2023 US Kneeboard Titles Champion Kevin Skvarna of San Juan Capistrano! Kevin improved on last year’s result (Open-2nd place) by taking his first US Title in the Open Division. Going up against three past Champions of this event who share 10 US Titles between them made this victory even more impressive. Kevin set the tone early in the heat with a dynamic hit off the top of a wedging right that was one of the largest waves of the final. This wave put him firmly in the lead and he was able to back it up to secure the win. Chris Beresford took a close second with a couple of long, fast lefts which ended with big floaters or reentries near the Pier. Jack Beresford (3rd place) and 2023 Champion Tom Backer (4th place) surfed up to their normal excellent standards but were unable to track down the waves needed for better scoring opportunities.
At the Awards Ceremony Tom presented the Don Harris Memorial Trophy to Kevin. Kevin’s name will be added for 2023, as will the names of all future Champions.
Liam O’Callighan won the AAA in a very competitive final, and Joseph Quinn took the AA. Both surfed with determination that complements their skill. Congratulations to both!
Kevin Skvarna also defended his 2022 Title in the Pro Junior division (16-29) making it six heats on the day for Kevin.
We are proud of Cadan Bear (13) who is the 2023 US Kneeboard Titles Junior Champion! In a full heat Caden topped fellow competitors Jack Evans – 2nd, Hank Evans – 3rd, Kai Buchanan – 4th, and 2022 US Junior Champion Milo Evans – 5th. Everyone was stoked to see the Juniors going for it and having a blast doing so. Cadan also earned a second podium finish by taking 3rd in the AA Division.
Congratulations to Rachel Lord who earned her first US Kneeboard Women’s Title in her first kneeboard contest. 2022 Women’s Champion Patricia Hook 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.
This was a special US Kneeboard Titles and Festival in that we were celebrating 20 years of Kneeboard Surfing USA as an organization that was founded “to promote camaraderie in the kneeboard surfing community.” This was our 15th US Titles along with one Kneeboard Surfing World Titles (2007 Steamer Lane) and we spent some time celebrating our history with Tom Linn and Mark Robertson each sharing some memories. In our planning for this event we realized that over 20 years we have lost several of our friends along the way and wanted to honor their memory. Special thanks to Scott Wessling for putting together a 4.5-minute video to remember those who have passed. It was a moving tribute that all in attendance greatly appreciated.
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 Raffles 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 our volunteers and my friends on the KSUSA Team, Joe Coyne, Jack Beresford, Tom Linn, Ed Dimick, Robb Massar, Matt Cunningham, Jason Foster, and Karla Oliveira who are all are talented, hardworking, and dedicated to KSUSA’s success. Thanks to Randy Morris for again stepping up to the mic to MC the awards ceremony and raffle/auction. Many conference calls and much behind-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 2023 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
Block Surf, BruSurf, DMC Fins, Freeline Design, Kneelo Gear, Parkes Kneeboards, Rick Blake Art, Sirena Surf Lodge, Trimco Hardware
EVENT SPONSORS
Disorderly Images, Gryptalite High Performance Traction, Hanalei Fins, Hawaiian Line International Apparel, Ho Stevie!, Jeff Jensen, Jeffrey Ommen Photography, Kneelo Nation, Phil Curtiss, Plastic Fantastic Surfboards, Rinse Kit, Chuck Smith (Razor), Stay Covered, Stonefish Skegs, Surf Durt, Tidelines Calendars, Victory Koredry, Visit Huntington Beach
To our generous sponsors, we hope you can partner with us again in 2024!
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!
