Blair Conklin Skimboarding Surf Ranch Is Next Level (Video)

Occasionally, however, someone comes along that brings a different flavor, a little bit of spice, to the predictable Surf Ranch recipe. Someone like Laguna Beach professional skimboarder, Blair Conklin, who recently shook things up at Surf Ranch with his unconventional, finless crafts. Needless to say, Blair’s approach is a breath of fresh air, something different, novel, original, never-before-seen.

It takes Blair a couple tries to get the hang of the Ranch on a skim – and boogieboard – but when he does, it’s pretty next level. Holding a line in those speedy tube sections, without the crutch of a couple fins to keep you in place, is no easy task. But hey, less drag when you need to speed up.

For Blair, the experience sounds about as fun as it was to watch:

“My first time skimboarding the Kelly Slater wave pool did not go as planned. It went way, way better! The staff and waves at the Surf Ranch are unmatched. I did not go to this Wave Pool expecting much. I was really hopping to just catch a few waves and be happy with anything that I was given. What ended up being given to me was the most spectacular day of wave riding that I may ever get to experience. I brought along my friend John Weber and our girlfriends.

“I think I can speak for everyone when I say we had the time of our lives! After successfully running in to a wave at the Surf Ranch I realized something very special. I couldn't think of a wave that I ran in to, that was even close to as good as that one was. I think there are very few skimboarders in the world who have caught a 700 meter long wave where they spent at least 7-10 seconds in the barrel.”