LAGUNA BEACH, CA —Skimboarders and fans raised over $5,000 to benefit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center at the end of September’s SeaDog Skim Challenge.

Skimboarding first found its footing on the shores of Laguna Beach in 1976. The sport requires steep, sandy slopes and the shore break, such as can be seen at Victoria Beach, where the sport was invented. Skimboard riders thrive on fun, good vibes, and the love of the ocean and all who live inside the waters. Raising funds for Laguna’s PMMC, who cares for the area’s harbor seals and sea lions often referred to as “Sea Dogs,” was only natural.

Riders and fans gathered at for the competition that lasted from Saturday, Sept. 28, and Sunday, Sept. 29. The Orange County Register shared the winners, including two Mexican national riders, Chabe Blanco, 21, and Yahir Valencia, 15, who took the top prizes for female and male categories.

Notables at the event included champion skimboarder, Sam Stinnett. The awards for the weekend were handed out at the Laguna Beach Brewing Company.

Kai Thompson won an amateur award in the male, 9 and younger, category. Jacob Crouse won for the 10 to 14 amateur category, and Michael Reyes won the 15 to 30 amateur category, and Jan Vince won the amateur category for 30 and older.

In the women’s amateur competition, Naz Mir-Scaer won first place while Megan Vanbuskirk won second place.

Speaking on behalf of the PMMC, spokeswoman Krista Higuchi described what it was like to be the beneficiary of such a well-attended event.

The SeaDog Skim Challenge has raised upwards of $15,000 for the PMMC over the past three years.

“It’s amazing to see the skimboard community rally around Sam, the event, and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center,” Higuchi said. “PMMC is honored to be at the center of this community.”

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