The final event of the Nemo Skim Series, The Frankston Flatland Skimboarding Competition, was held on Sunday 19th of March just next to Frankston Pier.

The event was a huge success thanks to the support of sponsors, volunteers, competitors, and spectators alike. Recognition must also be given to the Frankston City Council for allowing the skimboard competitions to grow like they have.

From a spectators point of view the location was perfect with many people using the pier as a vantage point to view the competition. Others were getting right up close on the sand. Spectators were also treated to a number of free participation comps including Sand Sculpture and 'Balance a MARS Bar on your head the longest'. Both were tackled with great enthusiasm.

The level of skill shown by the competitors was a credit to flatland skimboarding with many great tricks being thrown all day. Boardslides on the handrails, ollies, shove-its and pop shove-its were the order of the day. The course consisted of a smaller up-flat rail, a bigger kinked rail (up-flat-down-flat) a kicker and a couple of ollie obstacles.

Some of the better tricks on the day were: 360 shovits off the kicker (some big ones!), 180 shovit to boardslide, frontboard to fakie on both rail, 360shovits on to the kink rail. 360Shovits over the small rail, big ollies, 180 pop shovits to frontside air plus heaps of shovits down the kink.

Special mention must go out to two riders in particular for attending this event.

Yuri Choufour from Canada is a sponsored skimboarder in his hometown of Vancouver. Yuri flew from Tasmania where he was on a family holiday, to join in the competition. Yuri displayed amazing riding skills, winning both his heats on the way to the Open final. His influence on the local riders will not go without notice.

Mitch Langley was also on a family holiday from SA and made a 2 hour trip down to Frankston to attend the event. Mitch is a well known skimboarder in the Glenelg area and is sponsored by a local skimboard manufacturer. Mitch had many tricks which set him apart from most of the other riders on the day, and like Yuri also won both his heats on the way to the Under 18 final.

A new heat schedule was introduced to give the competitors twice as much competition time as previous events. Combined with larger groups for the finals the vast majority of entrants were able to participate all day. This ensured a big group was in attendance for the awards ceremony and everyone had plenty of skim time.

Special mentions for Margret Hare (11) and Jai Phillips (28) our two female competitors. Margret showed improvement over the course of the day and Jai went as hard as the guys in the Open division, one particular slam on the jump ramp would have discouraged a less determined rider.

All entrants were treated to a free showbag thanks to the generosity of the sponsors. Each bag contained products from Trigger Bros, Pepsi, Smiths, Banana Boat, Nemo, Mars, sportcam and Snickers. The Red Bull promo girls were also handing out drinks to thirsty spectators and competitors.

Entrants are reminded to check out the gallery of photographs taken by sportcam so they can choose their free 6”x4” print. Use the envelope you received in your competitors bag.

Thanks to: Zoe (Frankston Youth Resource Centre), Fresh Entertainment, Roger Adams (sportcam), Trigger Bros, Smiths, Pepsi, Banana Boat, Mars, Snickers, Red Bull, Tim, Jason, Ben (3 Judges), Wardo (MC)