Skim what?
What is skimboarding? It's a water sport practiced at the interface between land and sea. Born in California in the 1920s, it involves gliding on a thin board of wood or fiberglass over the thin layer of water left by the waves on the sand. Today, skimboarding is practiced on beaches the world over, offering both a unique gliding sensation and an impressive visual spectacle. Skimboarders range from young children to passionate adults, each finding in the sport a freedom of expression and adventure. In addition to beaches, some venture out onto rivers or inland waters, increasing the possibilities for practice and enjoyment. Skimboard rental has also developed, enabling everyone to try their hand at the sport without having to invest in expensive equipment.
Adrien Raza, the skim king
World skimboard champion Adrien Raza is an emblematic figure in the sport. Originally from France, but now based in the Netherlands, he has dominated international competitions thanks to his unique style and impeccable technique. Raza is not only an exceptional athlete; he is also an ambassador for skimboarding, constantly seeking to promote it and inspire new generations, particularly to develop urban skimboarding. *The aim is to continue to develop this new practice", *explained the young man in an interview given to 20 minutes in 2021. Today, on a personal level, I live from this sport thanks to sponsorships and partnerships, but above all I hope to encourage more and more people to take up the sport. Many people are familiar with wave skimming, but not so many with flat skimming, which is similar to skateboarding. Still, it's attracting more and more people.
Salt surfing
Adrien Raza's most daring challenge took him to the Bolivian desert at the beginning of March 2023, where he put in a breathtaking skimboard performance on the Salar d'Uyuni, the world's largest salt desert. This adventure, far from the ocean and its usual waves, far from the streets of Rotterdam where he has his habits, demonstrated the extent of his creativity and talent. Skimboarding on the water mirror formed on the surface of the Salar offered spectacular images, giving the impression that he was flying on water 💓...
