Kota Kinabalu: More than 100 skimboarders, including from as far as Singapore and Indonesia, took part in the Red Bull Skim Tour 2010, the country's first skim boarding circuit competition, at Tanjung Aru beach here Saturday.
Sabah is the third and final leg of the tour after Penang and Malacca.
Skimboarding (or skimming) is a board sport in which a skim board (a smaller counterpart to a surfboard) is used to glide across the water's surface. Unlike surfing, skim boarding begins on the beach, with the skimboarders running and dropping the board onto the thin wash of previous waves.
Saturday's competition was launched by Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, who expressed hope that more such sporting events, including at international level, would be held in the city in future.
Applauding the organiser and sponsor of the event, he said such a sporting activity is beneficial because it helps to promote a healthy lifestyle, particularly among youths, in Sabah besides the State's beaches.
"Competition such as this is a great example of a healthy lifestyle that we all should get involved with. I hope the organiser will continue this competition on an annual basis as this will also boost the awareness of Sabah as a sports recreation spot," said Iliyas.
The participating skimboarders were judged based on their riding skills and technical manoeuvres (tricks), in their quest for the titles as the "Best National Skimboarder", "Best International Skimboarder" and "Best Borneo Skimboarder".
There were also categories under the "Best Woman Skimboarder" and "Best Progressive Skimboarder" for riders from each state and country.
Red Bull Malaysia, being the sponsor for the competition, meanwhile is thrilled to promote skimboarding in the country.
It is a sport which started over 60 years ago on round wood boards that has evolved into a highly competitive water sport. Modern skimboarding has evolved into a "real" sport where the limits are being tested by some of the best board riders on the planet.
The final leg of the tour was organised by Sabah Skimboarding Association in collaboration with Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Mohd Mirhyeidar Mirdat from SMK Putatan made Sabah proud after being adjudged as the Best Borneo Skimboarder.
"I am very happy to be awarded as the best in Borneo.
This is extremely meaningful to me as I just got involved in this sport less than a month ago.
I have always been interested in the sport but never got the chance to do it professionally. When I heard about Red Bull organising this cool event, I practised my heart out," he said.
"I am thankful to Red Bull Malaysia because without them I may not know the talent I have," said Mohd Mirhyeidar, who was also the first runner-up in the National category which saw 15-year-old Muhammad Zaris Hakimi Hasman from Penang take the top spot as the Overall Best National Rider.
The first runner-up for the Borneo category was Abang Zulfadly Usop, a 29-year-old from Miri, Sarawak, whereas second runner-up was Claroy M. Charles Spawa, 23, from here.
Winners of the competition received specially-designed Exile Skimboard, merchandised by Extreme Shop, and trophies.
Source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my
Sabah is the third and final leg of the tour after Penang and Malacca.
Skimboarding (or skimming) is a board sport in which a skim board (a smaller counterpart to a surfboard) is used to glide across the water's surface. Unlike surfing, skim boarding begins on the beach, with the skimboarders running and dropping the board onto the thin wash of previous waves.
Saturday's competition was launched by Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, who expressed hope that more such sporting events, including at international level, would be held in the city in future.
Applauding the organiser and sponsor of the event, he said such a sporting activity is beneficial because it helps to promote a healthy lifestyle, particularly among youths, in Sabah besides the State's beaches.
"Competition such as this is a great example of a healthy lifestyle that we all should get involved with. I hope the organiser will continue this competition on an annual basis as this will also boost the awareness of Sabah as a sports recreation spot," said Iliyas.
The participating skimboarders were judged based on their riding skills and technical manoeuvres (tricks), in their quest for the titles as the "Best National Skimboarder", "Best International Skimboarder" and "Best Borneo Skimboarder".
There were also categories under the "Best Woman Skimboarder" and "Best Progressive Skimboarder" for riders from each state and country.
Red Bull Malaysia, being the sponsor for the competition, meanwhile is thrilled to promote skimboarding in the country.
It is a sport which started over 60 years ago on round wood boards that has evolved into a highly competitive water sport. Modern skimboarding has evolved into a "real" sport where the limits are being tested by some of the best board riders on the planet.
The final leg of the tour was organised by Sabah Skimboarding Association in collaboration with Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Mohd Mirhyeidar Mirdat from SMK Putatan made Sabah proud after being adjudged as the Best Borneo Skimboarder.
"I am very happy to be awarded as the best in Borneo.
This is extremely meaningful to me as I just got involved in this sport less than a month ago.
I have always been interested in the sport but never got the chance to do it professionally. When I heard about Red Bull organising this cool event, I practised my heart out," he said.
"I am thankful to Red Bull Malaysia because without them I may not know the talent I have," said Mohd Mirhyeidar, who was also the first runner-up in the National category which saw 15-year-old Muhammad Zaris Hakimi Hasman from Penang take the top spot as the Overall Best National Rider.
The first runner-up for the Borneo category was Abang Zulfadly Usop, a 29-year-old from Miri, Sarawak, whereas second runner-up was Claroy M. Charles Spawa, 23, from here.
Winners of the competition received specially-designed Exile Skimboard, merchandised by Extreme Shop, and trophies.
Source: http://www.dailyexpress.com.my
