Timmy Gamboa Secures First Ever UST Win While Chabe White Pulls Far Ahead in Standings
he United Skim Tour Stop 5, the Mulligan’s Skim Jam organized by Shore LB, delivered an exciting weekend at Sexton Beach Plaza in Vero Beach, Florida, on August 30th and 31st. This was the first time a UST event has ever been held in Vero Beach and the first time the UST has returned to Florida since 2019. Despite challenging conditions and a weather delay, the event showcased top-tier talent from across the globe, with 22 professional men and 6 professional women competing, including riders from Japan, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, California, and up and down the East Coast.
In the men’s division, Timmy Gamboa from Laguna Beach shocked and excited the crowd with his first-ever United Skim Tour win. Gamboa’s victory was sealed in the final round with a standout performance, including a stylish backside turn revert to switch frontside bigspin and a backside turn to frontside bigger spin as the time ran out. This earned him a narrow win with 24.53 points, edging out Brazil’s Lucas Fink, who scored 24.44 points.
On the women’s side, Chabe White of Mazunte, Mexico, continued her successful season by securing her second UST win of the year. White topped the leaderboard with 20.80 points in the final, narrowly defeating Sydney Pizza, who finished with 20.63 points.
The waves during the Mulligan’s Skim Jam ranged from 1 to 3 feet and at times the set waves were difficult to reach and very choppy, making it difficult for competitors to showcase their full potential. On Friday, the event even faced a rain delay due to rough weather, but the competition resumed on Saturday with evening rounds for the quarters, semis and finals that saw waist-high waves, providing the best conditions of the event.
“This is the best day of my life.” Timmy Gamboa said after his win. “My dream came true. I told myself, before I retire as a pro skimmer, I just want to have at least one UST contest. […] This is it. It’s amazing.”
“I’m representing Mexico. I’m representing Mazunte and all the girls who are traveling and doing this.” Chabe White said after her victory. “See you at Oktoberfest.”
Results
Pro Men
Timothy Gamboa
Lucas Fink
Zeke Williams
Mason Broussard
Elian Juarez
Leo Freitas
Pro Women
Chabe White
Sydney Pizza
Amber Torrealba
Kaori Uno
Julia Dias
Kate Caffarelli
Points Race
For the pro men, the title has three riders still in contention for the 2024 UST title. Dane Cameron is in first with 3562 points; Lucas Fink is in second with 3472 points; and Timmy Gamboa is in third with 3334 points. Depending on how the final stop plays out, each of these top three riders can secure a UST title this season.
For the pro women, Chabe White has a significant lead with 2810 points after three events. Julia Dias is still within striking distance with 2466 points, but she will need to win the final event in Newport Beach to have a shot at the UST title. Additionally, if Julia does win in Newport, Chabe will need to finish in 6th or lower for Julia to secure the UST title. Also, if Julia wins in Newport and Chabe finishes in 5th in Newport, then a tiebreaker heat between Julia and Chabe will be held to decide the UST title.
Special thanks to the team at Shore LB for putting on such a great event.
Photos by Garet Pearson (IG) and David Haefele (IG). Words by David Haefele (IG).
United Skim Tour Sponsors
This article and all UST media is made possible from our valued 2024 UST Sponsors, including those listed below. See a full list of sponsors here.