JEFF GOMEZ

Jeff Gomez is a Californian skimboarder, editor and owner of Skimboard Magazine a quarterly publication available by subscription and pre orders only. Skimboard Magazine was created by a group of skimboarders and photographers that believed  the sport  needed some form of print media. The magazine features the best that the sport has to offer. Their goal is to help the sport of skimboarding grow, and bring the readers a high quality publication.  

Name:  Jeff Gomez

Nicknames: Mez, given to me by George Bryan when I was about 16.  One day surfing trestles, I went flying by him on a right, and I just remember hearing "GO!....Mez!"  It just stuck.

Age:   34

Weight: 170

Stance:  regular foot

Home Town:  Laguna Beach California

Home Break:  Aliso beach

Board: medium carbon grape

When and how did you get into skimboarding? 

 I think i was maybe in like the fourth grade so maybe ten years old. My dad had a place down from Aliso Beach and it was just what everybody was doing. My first board was home made wood painted white cut from a boogie board template. You can actually see my first day in one of the tenth street bros videos (Vortex Children)

Who did you grow up skimming with? 

When I was young it was mostly my brother.  We also met  Chia (Andy Chiavetta) and Aaron Peluso. Once got a bit older  I started skimming with Bill and George Bryan, Chris Rudolph and Dan McMillan.  Skimming with the best in the world was a blessing and a curse the same time.  On the one hand they really oust you to be better, but on the other hand with all of that talent around it becomes incredibly tough to get noticed.

What is your favorite place to skim? 

I think Aliso will always be my go to spot. I hope to one day call sununga Brazil my favorite spot but we'll have to see about that.

What made you want to start a magazine?

Well when I first started considering it there were no print mags out there. The sport needs one and the timing is just right for it.  For me wanting to be a part of the sport that I have done for so long was the main factor.  

Where can you buy skimboard magazine in Delaware?

You can pick up a copy of Skimboard Magazine at Alley Oop Skim Shop. Or you can go to our website  www.skimboardmag.com to subscribe.  Numbers are usually limited so that's the best way to ensure you don't miss an issue.

What is a typical Jeff Gomez day?

My typical day starts at 5 A.M. I get up and go to work where I program a cnc (computerized numerically controlled) router for a custom cabinet shop.  After spending eight hours covered in saw dust, I head home to my wife Casey and two daughters Nyah and winter 2 years old and 6 months old.  Usually there is some kind of project going on at home whether its one of my furniture projects or my wife's crafting business, there's always something to be done. Between dinner and bath time for the girls, the evening seems to just fly by and before I know it its bed time. I get up and do it all over again. Five days a week. If I'm lucky a squeeze in a few hours a weekend to get in the water.

Has the skim scene changed in California over the past couple years and if so How?

I took about seven years off from the skim scene, so to me I see a big difference. There so many more kids that are doing it these days, and they come from all over the place.  It seems like it is way more cliquey than it used to be. Maybe there is just more of them. Overall I'd say the California skim scene is pretty healthy.

Favorite Trick?

Well since getting barreled or a sic soulful liner is not really a trick, I always dig launching a big air.  

Any trick that hasn’t been done on a skimboard that you would like to see?

I think bringing in some big business sponsors would be a pretty cool trick.

Have you ever been in competitive skimboarding?

I competed for many years, my best result was a second place at the 2000 Victoria World championships.

Your thoughts on this year’s world skimboarding championships?

I think this years WCS was amazing from the live webcast to the all young guy finals, I think its great where the sport is headed

Skate, Surf, Or Snowboard?

Skim!!!!

Favorite thing about having your own magazine?

All the amazing photos I get to see from all over the world, and the support I've received

Worst thing about having your own magazine?

Trying to collect from advertisers

worst wipe out?

During an air drop to dry sand my back foot slipped off and I pogo sticked off the tail.  The board got me right between the legs, luckily it missed all the vital parts. Or it could be any number of lame little turns that resulted in dislocated shoulders.

best session?

Anything at Aliso between September and December.

Thoughts about Delaware skimmers?

I love how stoked on skimming they all are. I think that's something I share with them these days. I don't get to skim much so when I do I'm so stoked, even though its usually less than stellar. Seems like any Delaware guys are the same way, just stoked to be skimming, no matter what the conditions may be.

Any Shout outs?

Just want to say thanks to all the readers, supporters, subscribers, and contributors. This magazine wouldn't be possible without all of you.