Huntington Beach, CA (February 25, 2024) – San Juan Capistrano’s Kevin Skvarna repeated as open division champion and Spain’s Marina Garcia Franco won her first KSUSA women’s title at the KSUSA 2024 US Kneeboard Titles and Festival. The event was held February 16 at the south side of the Huntington Beach pier with the event’s 48 competitors treated to head-high sets.
Skvarna went wire-to-wire, winning all four of his heats to secure his second KSUSA open division title. But it was not without some drama when he found himself caught up in fishing line at the start of his semi-final heat. Skvarna, a seasoned competitor on the professional longboard circuit, freed himself by biting the fishing line and then calmly finished the heat.
Marina Garcia Franco edged out Rachel Lord and Patti Hook in a hard-fought women’s final. She was one of four competitors who had traveled from Spain to compete in the KSUSA Titles, which typically draws an international field. In addition to Spain, kneeboarders from Puerto Rico and South Africa participated.
In the other finals, Ed Quinn won the AAA division and Chris Linn took top honors in the AA division.
“The KSUSA Titles is one of the longest-running events of its kind in the world,” said Tom Linn, KSUSA President. “We are proud to have hosted 16 U.S. Titles and one World Titles event to help promote the sport and pass on the stoke to a new generation of kneeriders.”
This year’s KSUSA Titles served as a qualifier for the Kneeboard Surfing World Titles, which is being held August 17-25 at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. At least 15 US kneeboarders are planning on traveling to the event to compete.
Premier Sponsors include Barry Snyder Designs, Bilt Kneeboards, Blast Surf Designs Hawaii, Blenders Eyewear, Block Surf, BruSurf, Casa Sirena Surf Lodge, Freeline Design, TK’s Frog House, Kneelo Gear, Parkes Australia, Trimco Hardware, and Walden Surfboards.
Event Sponsors include Delahunt Brewing, Disorderly Images, GryptaLite High Performance Traction, Hanalei Fins, Hawaii Line International Apparel, Jeff Jensen, Kneelo Nation, KS.TV, Wayne Kopit, Plastic Fantastic Surfboards, Stonefish Skegs, The Blue Trip, Tidelines Tide Calendars, and Victory Koredry.
Established in 2003, Kneeboard Surfing USA is dedicated to promoting camaraderie in the sport of Kneeboard Surfing through competitions, kneelo gatherings and other activities. For more information, visit ksusa.org.
Results:
Open Division: 1. Kevin Skvarna, 2. Chris Beresford, 3. Shaun Murphy, 4. Jack Beresford, 5. Scott Wessling, 6. Sean Noone
Womens Division: 1. Marina Garcia Franco, 2. Rachel Lord, 3. Patti Hook
AAA: 1. Ed Quinn, 2. Liam O’Callighan, 3. Jason Foster, 4. Cesar Arenal Pidal, 5. Mike Fernandez, 6. Chris Buscemi
AA: 1. Chris Linn, 2. Ed Dimick, 3. Alberto Gonzalez Garcia, 4. Mike Neal, 5. Mark Van Slooten, 6. Richard Wallinger
