Sea Bright Celebrates 20 Years of Skimboarding Excellence

Sea Bright proudly announces the 20th anniversary of its iconic skimboarding competition, SkimBash, scheduled for September 7-8, 2024, at the Sea Bright Municipal Beach.

When the inaugural contest was held in 2004, skimboarding was a relatively unknown sport to the Sea Bright community. Initiated by Felecia Stratton, a member of the then newly formed Sea Bright Recreation Committee, the event aimed to support her son Sean and his friends, who were passionate, self-taught skimboarders. Stratton anticipated a modest turnout, but was pleasantly surprised when around 30 eager participants arrived.

Today, SkimBash has evolved into one of the East Coast’s premier skimboarding events, attracting top skimboarders from both local and national arenas. The contest's rise to prominence is a testament to the dedication of the Sea Bright community, the support from early sponsors, and today Skim USA, the national governing body for skimboarding.

The event garnered its first official sponsor in 2006, with SkimShop, and has since gained significant traction. In 2011, SkimBash caught the eye of Skim USA officials, including Greg Krolczyk (SkimCity Greg), leading to SkimCity becoming a major sponsor in 2012 and SkimBash being incorporated into the Skim USA tour. Since then, SkimBash has been a key event on the Skim USA calendar.

“Skim USA seeks competitions and communities that nurture and advance the sport of skimboarding,” says Melissa Stevenson, a member of the Skim USA Board of Directors and the current SkimBash contest director. “SkimBash exemplifies this commitment by fostering new talent and celebrating the sport.”

Many of SkimBash’s top competitors trace their beginnings to Sea Bright, where Jersey Shore Skim Camp, established by Stratton in 2009, has played a pivotal role in their development. The camp, which offers professional skimboarding instruction every summer, has been a premier sponsor of SkimBash since its inception.

The 20th anniversary SkimBash will not only highlight the accomplishments of the past two decades but will also honor the original contributors to the event’s success while celebrating the next generation of skimboarders.

“It’s incredible to see how far this competition has come,” reflects Stratton. “What began as a small, local contest has blossomed into a major event showcasing top skimboarding talent nationwide. I am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved for both the skimboarding community and Sea Bright.”

The 20th anniversary SkimBash will be held on September 7-8, 2024, at Sea Bright Municipal Beach. Spectators and sponsors are encouraged to join in the celebration. For more information and updates, follow us on Instagram at @sea_bright_skimbash.