MUST SEE VIDEO- ZAP EAST COAST AM World Championships of Skimboarding!!

 Erik Christensen- Delaware

Click here to watch the 2011 East Coast AM world championships of skimboarding recap and a little history about skimboarding in Delaware !!!!

Corey Mahoney Interview

Corey Mahoney is a professional skimboarder  that has been leading the wave of new skimmers on the east coast.   He owns Alley Oop with his business partner and childhood friend Jason Wilson.  They both have contribute to changing the lives of many kids with their summer skim camps and clinics.   Corey has mad steez (style) on his board making huge waves seem effortless.  Summers in Delaware, winters in Florida,  Alley Oop is a way of life!   

Corey skimming North Side-  Photo by Gel Clemmer-

Name:  Corey T. Mahoney

Nickname:  There are a lot of those, but Ramon or “Moe-nee”, I forget why but Carter Schmidt threw that out there one time and I kinda accepted it and everyone else called me that from that point on.

Age: 29

Weight: from 180lb to 195lb

Stance: I’m regular

Home Town: Dewey Beach, DE

Home Break: South Side, DE

Board: My new exile

How long have you been skimming?  and how did you get into it?

Coming up on 20 years, I was friends with Jason (Wilson) and Joey (Vavala) growing up,    I tried Geoff Shupard’s  board, one of his old Sand Pipers from back in the day and just went on from there, kinda got hooked and started doing it and wanted to get better than them  although it will probably never happen!  (laughs)  my parents used to let me ride the Trolley to Dewey every day from Rehoboth and it just developed like that.

How would you describe your skimboard style?

I’m more of techy skimboarer for a big guy, my ideal wave is something that's about waist high, with a nice open face that I can bust a trick on, my favorite move to do is a front side slash,  that way I can put my whole big 6 foot frame into it.

Your thoughts on Grinching?  The greatest creation in the world!  Even though I haven’t gotten a gem of a wave on it .  It’s just so much fun the effortless work, its more of concentrating into riding a big wave than getting out to it, you lose a lot of your energy trying to get out to waves like that.   There are so many days where is a little to far out to  get to for skim and too close to the beach to surf, the grinch takes that out of the equation.  

Do you skim everyday? 

I try to, had a little injury, I’ve been rehabbing the knee, a dancing accident (laughs)

 Your best session ever?

probably the first time I won the east coast, I call it a session cause I was skimming with three of my best friends Geoff Shupard, Connor Schmidt and Jamie Celano, think it was 2004, just tyring to out do all my buddies.

worst wipeout?

L:Corey Mahoney and Jason Wilson checking the waves.

when I was 16 I cracked my head open, I was skimming with Greg Catts and Joey Vavala, who were not 16 yet, we were at South Side on this really big day, we were playing a game called suicide, you just throw your board down and slide into any wave that was coming, it doesn’t matter if it is a 6 foot wave slamming into the shore, when you are told to go you go.  The wave I went to, I timed it perfectly , I went up and I  was going wrap it but the board slipped out and I went under,  I came up, and though where is my board and boom on top of my head.  I came out of the water holding my head, it didn’t really hurt that bad, I was just holding it and looked down and there was blood running down my chest and I looked at my hands and they were covered in blood.  Called the lifeguards over, they were freaking me out, the one life guard says “woah” .  There are only a few ways to wrap your head, around your temple or like you have a tooth ache, they started to warp my head like I had a toothache, Greg and Joey lost it laughing. Life guard tells me I need to get to the hospital because if I lose a lot of blood I can pass out, then I started thinking I had to drive myself to the hospital because Joey and Greg didn’t have a license. Long story short, 4 staples in my head, you can still feel the bump on my head.

favorite trick?  Front side big spin! 

Favorite place to skim in the world? Cabo, lovers beach, its a cross between cabo and 

a place up towards Todos, I can’t name the beach, people wouldn't want me doing that. Nice reef break in the middle of nowhere.

Do you practice any other sports?  Skate a little bit, and my background I played La Cross all through college.

You are positive influence to a lot of skimmers, who were some of the people that influenced you while growing up?  My friends influenced me a lot and I looked up to George Bryan a little bit. Everybody was into the Beaker  and he is ridiculously good, but I’ve never picked the best person in the sport as my influence I look for different qualities, Goe is a big guy, I’m a big guy.....kinda just looked up to him a little bit more

How did alley oop come about? We had an idea, that basically nobody was getting taught how to skimboard, when I was in my senior year of high school I thought why isn’t anybody doing this.  No body was even giving a lesson, maybe people thought no one would pay for it.  I saw an opportunity and all it took was a poster and a flyer, skim lessons $20 a pop, and then the teaching aspect of it developed.  The name came from Jason (Wilson) we had the idea sitting around and pitched it to Harry, hoping that he would get the idea and run with it and I would work at it, but he flipped it on me saying “no I want you to do it, this is something you should do as your business”   We had all the tools, Dewey Beach, everybody skims the element is there, had the promotion for the store Dewey Surf and Sport and everybody around to be the counselors.  First year didn’t really get much attention, next year we got 18 kids,the first year was a sleep over camp.   It has eleven years now and now we are at 294 new campers for this year.  It has grown.

When did you guys open the FL alley oop and where is it ?  We opened last December,  because this is such seasonal town, and we want to do this as a main way to make a living that was the best place to do it.  Besides half of our online business was coming from FL.   It was more of a question  of  where not if we should do it.   Its in Lauderdale by the sea, Ft Lauderdale.  Another cool thing that has happened is that all of our employees were campers.  In 2002 Dave Grok came to camp and now he has been our head counselor for 2 years. It all comes full circle.

What are some of the most rewarding things that come from having the camps?  Getting the kids into something positive, showing them another way of life at the beach.  Spreading the passion for skimboarding, making it infectious.   

How was this years Championship Contest?  It was awesome. It was Jason and Harrys theory on how they could make this an amateur world championship pan out.  This year was the skimboard championships 30th year, and it started as an amateur event with 20 competitors.  Not having the pros there was a concern in the skimboarding community, that maybe it wouldn’t be as competitive but the fact that we kept the semi pros,  those guys that are in that division are driving the sport right now.  I was on the mic and there was a point in the super heat that I couldn't talk fast enough, it was wave after wave, John Weber, Sam McCoy, Sean Kenny.  The riding level has gone up so much that some of these riders should be going pro already.  The other aspects were having Joe Bonk come back for his last hurrah as an announcer and Harry's last year too.  We dedicated an award to Harry, the H-Dub Professional Volunteer award, there are people that go to all the contests and are there from the time you set up to  the time you break down, and that's what Harry does he is dedicating all  of his time to something he is not getting paid for , and being the main sponsor this year it was the culmination to something we have been trying to accomplish, trying to give back to the sport as much as we can.

What are some of the other events you guys will be hosting this year?

In Delaware we have the Coastal Clean Up ,September 17th, we invite everybody to come help out clean the beach, we are responsible for all of  Dewey, 9am-12pm  and we are doing our Halloween contest October 29th “ Sea Witch competition” , that one is always fun, seeing what everyone will come up with for costumes and if you win the costume contest you get to be on the Tshirt for next year, last year we had Kiss and those turned out sick and for this year we have the little rascals by Nate and Syd Phillips with their dog.  We'll possibly have some skateboarding things going on, working stuff out with Epworth church,  that's the church Jason and I attended, we have some good ties there.     Oh yeah and we have huge sale on Labor Day weekend!

What do the kids around here need to do to get sponsored?   Put media together, photos, videos, and hounding people like myself.    We find you, go skim have a positive attitude, if we feel like you can be a good representative to Alley Oop we will put you on the team.  It’s really a false since of what being sponsor really is, being sponsored is really all about representing a company, and that's the first thing you should ask yourself, how can I represent this company well, it's not just a sticker on your board.    Delaware kids have a lot of potential, they need to find a good wetsuit and skim year around. 

Thanks to?

Shout out to Jdub, Harry and the Wilson family, my parents for supporting me in everything that I do,  my friends, and all the counselors.  

Thanks for the interview Corey. Alley Oop is located on New Orleans St,  Dewey Beach Delaware

21 Questions with Jason "Jdub" Wilson

CHRIS GALINDO PHOTO


by Angelica Clemmer
Welcome to Dewey Beach, East Coast Capital of Skimboarding.  Over time skimboard construction and design has evolved to higher levels, from plain flat pieces of plywood to high performance materials and shapes, allowing boards to be lighter, faster and stronger.  Right now in Delaware beaches the level of riding is unbelievable, great athletes are pushing the sport and one of them is Jason Wilson.  At  7:44am last Wednesday I got a text message from Jason saying "we are grinching today".  The Grinch, is a machine that allows a rider to be towed from just about any angle into the waves.   I've been wanting to take some photos of him skimming for the paper but unfortunately I was not able to that day.

With a super busy schedule, travels around the world and outstanding skimboarding, Jason stays a laid back guy, easy going and down to earth.  Even though I didn't get to take the photos this past week I was able to catch up with him in Dewey and ask a few questions.

STATS:

Name: Jason Wilson

Nicknames why/how you got it: Jdub- Got the nickname from my initials being JW.  Dub replacing the W.  We always called my dad Harry Hdub and it kinda got passed down my way. My friends like to make up all kinds of other nick names spinning off the Dub part too.

Age: 28

Weight: 150lbs

Stance: Regular footed

Home Town:  Dewey Beach, DE

Home Break:  South Side, Indian River Inlet

Board: I ride my pro model from Zap Skimboards "The Dready Bear" a great board for all conditions.

Sponsors: Zap Skimboards, Alley-Oop, Freak Traction, and LRG clothing.




1. When did you start skimming and what moment did you realize you were going to skim professionally?

 I started skimming when I was about 5 or 6. My father owned a Skimboard company when I was growing up so we always had boards laying around. I probably started carpet skimming, then just playing in the sand with my board before eventually joining up with the rest of the skim kids in Dewey and then hitting the beach all day everyday in the summer.

2. What was it like growing up in Dewey?

Growing up in Dewey was great in the summer and really boring in the winter time. In the summer it's warm, there's lots of shore break, and stuff to do around town. I always enjoyed my skim buddies who would come to Dewey in the summer. As I got older I definitely enjoyed the Dewey night life and all the good times that come with that. I think growing up in a town like Dewey has had a lot to do with who I am today.  

3.What drives you to keep skimming everyday year after year.....besides your car?

 I just really enjoy being in the water and being active. I love the feeling of gliding across the water and reacting to whatever the ocean throws at me. I strive for forward movement and progression in life so it's really fun to continue skimming and try to get better at riding all types of waves.

4.What is a regular Jason Wilson day like?

Well.... I usually wake up and check the waves and my email. Drink some tea and stretch out so I can function. If the waves are ok I try to get a session in, if they are not so good I usually hit the computer and work.  In the summer I have to run Alley-Oop Skim camp and shop with my friend Corey, so that usually takes up most of my day. If I'm not skimming I am usually working at progressing Alley-Oop or working with my main sponsor Zap Skimboards. I usually check the waves again in the afternoon to see if they have changed. I Pretty much eat, work, skim, and try to hang with my friends everyday. 

5. How many contest do you do a year?

 I have been competing on the pro tour for over 10 years doing 8-10 events per year.

6. Why do you think skimboarding has not reached mainstream levels, and would you want it to?

This is a hard question. I think mainly because many people have not been exposed to the high level of skimming that is going on today. Skimmers riding waves and busting out skate style tricks in the water. Many people simply view it as that kid sliding on his wooden board in the flat water. Hopefully as the media continues to get better we can overcome the view and expose the exciting level that skimming has reached today. Check out Foreverskimthemag.com, Skimonline.com, and Pilemag.com to view some true skimming they all have great media!

7. How do you make money in the skimboarding world, besides contests?

I make money mainly through running my business Alley-Oop which is based around skimming. We do Skim camps , lessons, and guided travel. We also have a great skim shop in Dewey Beach and online at alleyoopskim.com. I also have a few supportive sponsors that I have been working with for years. Some of them give me a salary, photo incentives, travel budgets and other types of support to keep me doing my thing on my board. 

8. Do you live in Dewey year around?

 Dewey is pretty much my home base but I try to get out of here as much as possible in the winter to travel to warmer skim locations. I usually spend a couple months in Eleuthera, Bahamas where my family lives most of the year now. I gotta  be able to get in the water! The cold weather just takes it out of me these days. It's not good for my mind or body.

9. What are your favorite places to skim around the world?

I love Cabo San Lucas and Laguna Beach. They have great consistent skim and you can almost always score some fun waves on a trip to either place. Recently though I have had the bug to explore new places. I just got back from my first trip to Brazil and it was absolutely amazing! Great waves, people, and scenery. I'm hoping to hit the Philippines, Africa, and possibly Sri lanka in the next few years.

10. Do you think people in other countries support skimboarding more than in the USA?

No, I think the USA plays the biggest part in skimming right now. It's mainly American companies making the best boards, supporting events, and professional riders. There is a big skim movement in many other countries and it seems to be getting bigger and bigger year after year. 

11. What advice do you have for upcoming skimmers who want to take the their riding to a professional level?

I would say hold onto your dream and go for it. Skimming has brought me a lot of enjoyment in life and taken me to places I never would of had the opportunity to travel to. Unfortunately right now it's hard to make a full time living just being a pro skimmer. You gotta have another hustle or job to help pay the bills. Go to school, get a degree, and don't put your eggs all in one basket. 

12. The ladies want to know if there is a special someone?

Haha. There definitely is. I have been in a relationship for about 5 years with one of my best friends Trisha. We went through some tough times this past year which I think all real relationships do at some point, but we're back on track and I'm very happy to have such a beautiful person in my life.

13. Do you take part in any efforts to keep the beaches clean? what do you think about the oil spill going on right now?

Yeah, definitely. I always try to pick up trash. We teach our kids at skim camp to leave your area at the beach cleaner than when you got there. We took part in the beach clean up this year that is done all over the world. The oil spill is just awful. I am very worried about the effects that is going to have on a big portion of the ocean and coastal areas of the US.

14. What is your greatest fear?

Wow... My greatest fear.... I don't like moths and butterflies, ha ha. Kinda weird but they just creep me out. I guess I'm always a little fearful of not attaining certain goals I set for myself with my business and life. Not a huge fear but something that definitely keeps me working hard.

15. Favorite move in the water to pull?

I like riding long liners and just carving along the waves. I'm not a very technical skimmer. I just enjoy getting barreled and styling out.

16. Are you working on any new tricks right now?

Not really.... I do wanna land a kick flip on my skimboard. Not many people have done them. I got it once, but I know I can do it better and get more consistent with it.

17. Whats the worst you have ever skimmed?

Last year when my back was all messed up I tried to do a film trip in California and I just could not skim comfortably. I was in so much pain. Had to pop pills just to make it through the day. That trip led to a 3-4 month battle with sciatica in my left leg caused from degenerated discs in my back, spinal stenosis, and early stage arthritis. I could not skim all last winter. 

18. Whats the best you have ever skimmed?

There have been a lot of memorable sessions and contests. I could not put a finger on the best one. Anytime I'm with my friends skimming some glassy waves is nice.

19. Best day of your life?

Graduating college was a pretty great day. Winning the East Coast tour in my home town of Dewey a few summers back was awesome! Every day is pretty good though. Lately I have been really trying to just appreciate life, being healthy, and just being happy with simple pleasures. Trying to make everyday the best day.

20. Do you tweet?

No tweeting for me. But I do hit Facebook pretty hard. Mobile uploads and all that stuff. If your my friend you pretty much know what I'm doing most days through FB and definitely get to see pictures of all the great meals I eat.

21. Am I invited to your house in Eleuthera?

Yes, come on down!

PHOTO BY SEAN WARD



Thanks JDUB for taking the time, much appreciated.  If you want to talk to Jason and join one of his skim camps this summer, stop by Alley-Oop Skim Shop on New Orleans St. in Dewey Beach  or check out www.alleyoopskim.com