2022 Kneeboard Surfing World Titles
Costa Nova, Aveiro, Portugal
US Team
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: Kahunas
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″
What are you looking forward to the most in Portugal: Finding a McDonald’s
Brad Colwell a former 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
- 2020 World Titles, Dunedin, New Zealand – Legends 4th Place
- 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: A favorite Flashpoint, a 5’7″ chopped square tail thruster. Also, a new K-58 5’8″ epoxy diamond tail.
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 Portugal: Being able to explore this amazing country and to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.
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: Legends
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2004 – 2022
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
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2020 Dunedin, New Zealand
4th Kahuna Age Division
Most Memorable Contest Experience: At the 2020 World Titles in New Zealand I made the finals in the Kahuna’s age division coming in fourth and watched Sam come in a close second to Chayne in the Open Final. The whole 2020 World Titles experience was an epic surf trip. 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
What are you looking forward to the most in Portugal: Looking forward to getting together with kneeboarding friends from around the world, finding some great surf spots, exploring the food and the country of Portugal.
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:
- 2nd place 2020 World Titles, New Zealand
- 1st place in the last 2 Taranaki Regional Contests
- 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′)
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 Portugal: Getting some high quality waves in a beautiful part of the world.
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 Portugal: The brotherhood of kneelos and the country.
Ed Dimick is a long-time Kneelo Cove Crew member and a member of the Kneeboard Surfing USA leadership. For years he has served as the contest director responsible for heat assignments and contest logistics. A veteran of KSUSA contests since the beginning and multiple World Titles, Ed will again join the US Team in Portugal.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2003 – 2022
- 2004 World Titles, Tahitit
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, USA
- 2009 World Titles, New Zealand
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Surfing KSUSA contests at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz with only 3 other competitors in the water. Competing in World Titles in 2004 (Tahiti), 2007 (USA), 2009 (New Zealand). Close 2nd in KSUSA AAA division in 2008.
What boards are you taking: Parkes quads, square tail and diamond tail, both 6’3″ x 25″ x 3″ (I like a bit of foam!)
What are you looking forward to the most in Portugal: Great surf, seeing old friends and meeting/surfing with kneelos from around the world.
John Hancock represents the southern Gulf Coast of the United States. John is a veteran of US Kneeboard Titles and a Kneeboard World Title event. John can be found surfing Padre Island in Texas.
Age Division: Immortals
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA Titles, 2017 Oceanside
- KSUSA Titles, 2004 Santa Cruz
- Kneeboard World Titles, 2015 Kiama, Australia
- US Championship, 1988 Sandy Beach
- TSA/TGSA Championship 1986-1989 South Padre Island
Most Memorable Contest Experience: ISA Worlds in Australia
What boards are you taking: Flashpoints
Sponsors: Salt Masters LLC.
What are you looking forward to the most in Portugal: Revisiting the Porto area where I worked in the late 70’s and getting some long lost Atlantic waves.
Patti Hook, representing the US East Coast, is the reining US Women’s Division Champion. Patti regularly surfs the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Age Division: Kahunas
Contest Experience:
- 2022 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach, Women’s Division Champion
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Only one under my belt, 2022 US Titles. Everyone was welcoming and stoked that I travelled from the East Coast to participate in the competition.
What boards are you taking: Blast F2k for barrels and 5’7″ Blast squash tail.
Sponsors: Whalebone Junction Surf Shop.
What are you looking forward to the most in Portugal: Everything. Experiencing the culture and sights of Portugal, forming new friendships, surfing new spots, and doing my all to contribute to Team USA quest for the Gold!
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: Kahunas
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 Portugal: I am really looking forward to getting together with a lot of other Knee-boarders, some I’ve met and some I have not.
Mike Sears is a charger at the heavy water beach breaks and reefs of the Monterrey and Santa Cruz region of California. If the surf gets heavy, Mike will be right at home.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2003 – 2022
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, CA
Most Memorable Contest Experience: My best contest was the 2007 World Titles in Santa Cruz. The level of competition, comradery and stoke opened my eyes to competing annually for the last 15 years.
What boards are you taking: A new Freeline Design 6’0′ swallow with wings.
Sponsors: Freeline Design and my family.
What are you looking forward to the most in Portugal: I’m looking forward surfing, meeting new friends and the new experiences that Portugal has to offer. All this with my with my wife and daughter.
Kevin Skvarna is modern day multi-talented waterman. A veteran of the WSL Longboard Tour, Kevin started his kneeboard competition resume with 2nd in the Open Division and 1st in the Pro Junior Division at the 2022 US Kneeboard Titles. He will compete is his first Kneeboard Surfing World Titles in Portugal.
Age Division: Pro Junior
Contest Experience:
- 2022 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach
2nd Open Division, Pro Junior Champion - WSL Longboard Tour
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: Immortals
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
- 2020 World Titles, Dunedin, 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.
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: Veterans
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2007, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
- 2020 World Titles, Dunedin, New Zealand
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Surfing Huntington Pier for the first time and winning the KSUSA AA Division in 2018.
What boards are you taking: Two regular boards and a small wave board
Shaper: Barry Snyder Designs
What are you looking forward to the most in Portugal: I’m looking forward to surfing Aveiro for the contest, then slowly cruising down the coast to Lisbon hitting the spots in between. The Food. I dig fish and Portugal knows how to cook some fish among lots of other things. You will probably see me checking out all the fish shops, Stalls and Halls in the various towns.
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