Watch: Tim Bonython // Lucas Fink - Skimmed Alive

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

An unusual wave needs a peculiar approach, such as riding a skim board in 20 foot waves.

It ain't always pretty, often Lucas looks like he's trying to swim down the waves, such are his arm gyrations, but his surfing is as legitimate as those on other craft.

Not sure what design modifications can be inferred, but similar to Derek Hynd, skimboarding shows just how much drag surfboard fins have. Sure, it's in exchange for control, but I'll bet some designers are inspired by his speed.

Interview by Tim Bonython.

Comments

epictard's picture
epictard's picture
epictard Thursday, 11 Aug 2022 at 10:19am

As impressive as his talent is, it just looks like the board is completely unsuitable for the size of the wave. I wonder when someone will get towed in there on water-skis, or a goat-boat, or other equally ill-suited craft?

I could have thought that maybe he's doing it to be 'the one who rode the biggest wave on a skim-board', but he sounds like he is legitimately having fun and I can't deny a person that just because I don't get it.

The two skis at 6:35 that just scratched over the peak looked like they may have been caught off-guard; that would be an intense price for lack of concentration in that size.

Still I am looking forward to the inevitable footage of someone getting towed in on one of those big inflatable bananas or outrigger canoe.

savanova's picture
savanova's picture
savanova Thursday, 11 Aug 2022 at 10:27am

I remember watching the old Wide World Of Sport in 90's? and seeing an aussie goat boater at big pipe. Think he even tried a barrel role (unsuccessfully).

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 11 Aug 2022 at 10:36am

Mike Petrie. Northern Beaches ski charger and chiropractor. Used to put himself in some crazy positions.

Mike isn't in this clip but it's worth watching anyway:

epictard's picture
epictard's picture
epictard Thursday, 11 Aug 2022 at 11:10am

Tooth LA, that's a throw back. Reschs DA is back on the shelves, maybe this'll be back next.

Bnkref's picture
Bnkref's picture
Bnkref Thursday, 11 Aug 2022 at 7:43pm

Someone mentioned on here a while back that DK Lillee used to charge big North Point back in the day on either a surf ski or goat boat (I can't remember which one it was).

garyg1412's picture
garyg1412's picture
garyg1412 Friday, 12 Aug 2022 at 11:45am

Remember seeing a goat boat at Jeffreys Bay get nailed by a big consistent set. He went from just inside Boneyards to way past Impossibles mostly upside down. We hated the c###s so thought it was the most hilarious and appropriate outcome.

Schreinermeister's picture
Schreinermeister's picture
Schreinermeister Thursday, 11 Aug 2022 at 8:31pm

He surfs like a dancing toddler

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Thursday, 11 Aug 2022 at 8:47pm

Ha ha... I'd been thinking of how to precisely word the crazy feeling you get when your carving around at speed on a skim board. I can only describe it as extreme, no, super extreme tipping toeing. I don't know.. spiritual or something. Now tippy toeing across the chop.... giggles....

bbbird's picture
bbbird's picture
bbbird Thursday, 11 Aug 2022 at 9:47pm

great barrel riding with no fins....
Lukas body language & rhythm on those 1st big drops looks like "Que mer da" "Que mer da" "Que mer da"
wtf, wtf, wtf....(get me outa here)

joesydney's picture
joesydney's picture
joesydney Friday, 12 Aug 2022 at 4:45am

Brad did it better….

bbbird's picture
bbbird's picture
bbbird Friday, 12 Aug 2022 at 9:55pm

above a shorter edit with the same surf style..... (WTF!!) body language....with no fins....

Ray Shirlaw's picture
Ray Shirlaw's picture
Ray Shirlaw Friday, 12 Aug 2022 at 10:28am

"yeh end I learn-ed a lot,mainly thet my board is an uncontrolable peez of sheet...."

conrico's picture
conrico's picture
conrico Friday, 12 Aug 2022 at 1:28pm

amazing skill. That said, with that thick, pin tailed board he's riding, you do wonder where the line is drawn between skim board and finless surfboard

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Friday, 12 Aug 2022 at 10:51pm

I think your right. I'd say title should really have been skirfed alive. Brad is doing more of that 'tippy toe' skim boarding. Brads' rail lines are ..'whispering' along more.... super fine.