Skimboard championships organizers change things up for this weekend’s event

Changes are coming to this weekend’s Victoria Skimboards World Championships of Skimboarding at Aliso Beach Park in South Laguna.

Tex Haines, who established the competition 39 years ago, decided on a two-person priority system this year. The first two contestants of a four-person heat begin their rides. If one person finishes before the other, the third participant can enter the water.

The change will affect the amateur contestants, and if it’s well received, could be applied to the professional heats.

“The judges can’t handle four [riders] at once,” Haines said in the Victoria Skimboards store recently.

Organizers experimented with three contestants in the early rounds last year, and Haines said they will stick to that method for the professional riders at the outset.

“We may or may not use the priority system with them,” Haines wrote in a follow-up email. “It depends on its acceptance during the amateur heats. My bet is that it will be accepted.”

It should be easier for riders, as well, Haines said, adding, “There’s only one other [person] to contend with.”

Dana Point resident Sam Stinnett will defend his pro men’s division title. Jacksonville, Fla., resident Casey Kiernan is the defending women’s champion.

Haines expected 140 contestants in a competition that attracts riders from around the world. Each contestant pays an entry fee — $50 for amateurs, $115 for pros.

Stinnett, 22, who has claimed first place three of the last four years, said timing is crucial with fewer contestants per heat.

“I think the two-man format is a great way to run the contest, [but] that’s only if the two-man starts at the quarterfinals [eight contestants],” Stinnett said. “If the two-man begins any sooner it knocks the consistency off the chain. It would make it possible for the top two of the four to go head-to-head before they should.”

Another change from previous years is the event being held in late summer.

“We schedule [the championships] at the time of year we’re most likely to get waves,” Haines said. “In the past, early in the summer, we had a lot of wind-swell activity that would go down the beach, north to south. This year, we’ve had a southerly swell up the beach that creates side-wash conditions.”

Explaining the advantage for lefties, he said, “If you’re goofy-footed you’re going to love this year.”

Spectators can watch the action for free on the beach. Competition on Saturday and Sunday begins at 8:30 a.m., and the event will be broadcast live at thevic.victoriaskimboards.com.

[For the record, Sept. 3, 5:08 p.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated there were two-person heats in the amateur division. The amateur heats were a two-person priority system. The first two contestants of a four-person heat began their rides. If one person finished before the other, the third participant could enter the water.]