Salty Vibez making History...

  credits: @nahdinella

#SkimboardIndia

Gerardo Valencia

credits: Cesar

Who: Kim Jae Hyung

 Nickname: Frank

Age: 27

Homespot: SongJeong Beach in Busan

Sponsors : Exile skimboards, Let’s Party traction

How, when and where did you start skimboarding? 

I started skimboard in 2014. I wanted to surf but the surfboard was too big for me. So, what I found was a skimboard. 

Who’s your skimcrew?

PRINCE (JCKC) from Aliveskim. 
Aliveskim is the first skimboard shop in South Korea! We also give skim lessons.

 
 In front of the shop

Favorite spot: 

10^th Street 

 
Invading 10st

Could you tell us more on your local skim scene? 

In South Korea, skimboard is small. Actually, more people are learning surfing...When I started in 2014 there was only about 20 skimboarders, but now there is more than 100 riders. Korea has a great coast, but we use to have a very cold winter. I live in the Busan area and during winter the temp is around 0-5 degrees celcius.  Hopefully, the number of people coming in winter is increasing a bit. 

If I say “skimquest”, what does it mean to you?

For me, 'skimboard' is life. When I skim, I'm in another dimension, very far away from my daily job...

   
Frank's dimension

Who is/are your Skim idol(s) and why?

Obviously there is a lot of good riders but if I have to name one, it would be Paulo Prietto!
I still remember when he though me to skim in Cali three years ago. What an amazing good time!

What is your best skim memory?

My two months skimtrip in Brasil! I cruised a lot with Lucas gomes, and I met many people and skimboarders. I'm very gratefull to Lucas! It was also a great honor to meet the Sununga Crew!

Ubatuba

Where would you go to skim?

In front of my house at Songjeong Beach.

Songjeong Beach

How do you imagine the future of skimboarding?

Skimboard is a great sport and has a lot of opportunities! You can easily ride waves, flat and even indoor. It's also easy to carry. In 10 years it will be as appreciated as surfing.

Besides skimboarding, what do you enjoy/other interests?

Skateboarding and Surfskateboarding!

Anybody to thanks?

I would like to thank our ALIVESKIM TEAM who always supports us.  I wish to all skimboarders around the world to have fun and safe skimboarding! Special thanks to JEJE!!!

With Blair Conklin and Jeje 

Korean missile

credits: Linda Fidelis

 credits : Tyler B

Who: Jake McIntosh 

Nickname: J-man 

Age: 24

Homespot: Grange, South Australia 

 Sponsors : Throwdown skimdustries - Derevko wetsuits - Owner @ CUT//CULTURE 

 J-Man charging + friends

How, when and where did you start skimboarding? 

I first got introduced to skimming when I would have been around 10... I grew up on the beach, everyday after school as far as i can remember I was down there with the family. One day I was down there sliding back and forth along the shore on a bodyboard and came across a bunch of older guys that were on wooden skimboards. These guys showed me the sport and had me frothing from the first slide (GSC haha) 14 years later now and not much has changed.

Who’s your skimcrew? None, I majority of the time ride solo!

OZ power

Favorites spots ? Jesus this is a hard question! 

Within Australia Shatters, Batters, Butlers 

Outside of Australia: 

Solmar/ Lovers, Cabo San Lucas, MEX

Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka

Aliso, Laguna beach, California 

Newest love is Spot X, New Zealand

 Australian Delight...

Could you tell us more on your local skim scene? 

My local wave and skim scene is pretty much non-existent. Our waves for majority of the time is very average. In saying this travelling 3-4 hours away from home lands you in some of the best skimboarding waves in Australia! The closest comparison to it would be Cabo minus the iguanas and cold beers you can get on the beach. The wave we have is a cold water slab. 'Shatters' being the wedge and 'Batters' being a wrap. It's super consistent. as long as the wind blows SE theres a good chance you will get waves there.

If I say “skimquest”, what does it mean to you?

Hunt for waves? Sign me up.

 
Trip to Sri Lanka

Who is/are your Skim idol(s) and why?

I would say my biggest idol in the skim world growing up would have to be Brad Domke hands down. Growing up with youtube as my biggest influence his style and finesse on a board always blew my mind. Of course you can't go past the OG's; Grady Archbold, George Bryan, Paulo Prietto, Brandon Sears, Bill Bryan the list goes on! 

J-Man wrapping like his idols

What is your best skim memory?

My most recent trip to New Zealand to be honest. I had no expectations and ended up getting shown a wave that has the potential of being world class.

Where would you go to skim?

I really love the idea of getting waves that have never been hit before! its always rad to see locals buzz out when they see a skimboard. So answering that question i guess anywhere with 'potential'. 

Bali...

How do you imagine the future of skimboarding?

I hope to see skimboarding continue in the direction of where its going now. The skimboarding community is the most welcoming and best in any sport i know of. There is not many sports where you can link up with riders on the otherside of the world and get shown waves, welcomed with open arms. Competition wise it would be good to see bigger sponsors get onboard and the whole sport progress where top riders can make a good living from skimboarding.

Besides skimboarding, what do you enjoy/other interests?

I surf a bit in my free time along with skating. Filming/editing and I don't mind the occasional beer or 3.

Anybody to thanks?

Massive thanks to my sponsors throughout the years I don't know where i'd be without them!

Time to visit Australian overhead shorebreak !