The newest board sport to hit the coast, literally, is Skimboarding.
There are a few who think this is poor man's surfing - these few have never tried it!
After an hour of faceplants, and a very bruised butt, I came to respect the ease and grace of skimmers sliding across the sand and surf, and stand in awe of the guys that hurl their bodies into the incoming waves.

Skimboarders are a friendly lot - I'm not sure if this is a reflection on the sport, or just the good nature of most who live on the South Shore in Nova Scotia, whichever the case, most of the skimmers are friendly, and helpful. "took me three weeks to get the hang of the board" says James, co-owner of Jambowaves, "Just keep at it, you're doing great." "it took me forever to get on the skimboard" say's Laura, one of the few girls seen skimming!

So, with great vigour i dream to be sliding across beaches, doing some "sweet frontside" and planning to buy a Victoria Ultra Vac skimboard, instead of the beginners "woody" that most skimmers learn on.
James swears that there isn't anything anyone can do that he can't do on his woody, but i keep seeing him on his Vic board, we just might have to put him to the test!
Mark, James twin, and also a part owner of Jambowaves, talks of the board he's getting - coated with Velcro, so that he stays attached as he summersaults through the air!

So how does one start skimming?

all you need is a beach, a board, and the appropriate attire - and in Nova Scotia, most months of the year, that includes a 16 mill wet suite, complete with boots and a hood! This is definitely not a sport for the weak or timmed! first thing in the morning the waves are the biggest. This is a sport that requires serious commitment. If your just getting started... the simple answer is "come on down to Queensland, find the Jambowaves tent, grab a board $5.00/hour or get the 1 day deal for only $15.00" and your all set up! you'll even get some tips from the pros!

A lot easier said than done... These boards are made to slide across the thinnest film of water, even wet sand. And the pro's all make it look so easy. Looking out for the biggest incomming swell, a skimmer is likely to start running into the water in mid sentence, throws down their board, and before you can say "shark!" is jamming a wave and showing some flashy backside style.

First thing's first "Ok, so how do i get onto this board? I can't just put it down and jump on it, can i?" "well, start of by throwing the board down, nice and flat, just into the white part of the water, then just run onto it." "... yeah"
It's like riding a bike, your either riding, or falling off, it's do or die. Plan to get wet, and plan to drink a few litres of Atlantic sea water while your at it!
For many - the call of the ocean represents calm, serenity and a sense of wonder... to the skim boarder, the call of the ocean means big swells, Bikini clad admirers, and a sense of adventure. Adding the Ocean factor to skim boarding - as soon as the skim board hits the water it takes on a mind of it's own, no two waves are ever the same, and the experienced skimmer can adapt their balance and direction to make the most of each wave. As for my attemps, it seemed that my skim board was evading my every attempt to "just jump on". bounding here and there, mocking my effort to find a spot that allowed me to skim with the grace of the others on the beach. It's man versus the ocean, and a humbling experience to say the least. If you have any self respect, you'll want to bring a few friends who are as anxious to give this new sport a try as you yourself are, or be prepared to look like a fish on dry land, all by yourself.

since the skim boarding is year round, there are plenty of days when one can come on down and practice without the snickers of the beached, who still believe the myth that skimming is a poor man's surfing, and haven't yet come to realize that this is a serious new sport, made for the adventurous beach lover.

So, grab yourself a skimboard, and get to the beach. I've just learned that Jambowaves has lots of boards left for sale, it's the perfect Christmas gift.