Bryan skims past Lovett to win Pro title

Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for Bill Bryan Sunday, but luck was not on the side of Jaime Lovett.

In a close-call Pro Division contest at the Allyance Big Top Skim Tour World Championships at Aliso Creek Beach, Bryan emerged as the winner by the slimmest of margins.

Actually, Lovett was announced Sunday as the winner of the Pro Division, but computer tabulations later revealed that Bryan did, indeed, win the event.

It was the 13th world title for the Laguna Beach resident.

“I had a pretty good idea that something would be happening, being that this would be my 13th title,” Bryan, 33, said, laughing about the results mix-up. “Everyone did.

“Every year it’s a close competition. I’m not touring as much this year, so I only have a couple of events to show what I can do. This event, being here at home, meant a little bit more to me. I was able to show these talented kids coming up in the sport what I still have.”

A total of 161 skimboarders, 33 with professional status, competed in 11 divisions on a weekend when the championships celebrated its 30th year.

Competitors from the U.S., Japan and Australia vied for division titles.

“For an event filled with 161 competitors, it went pretty smoothly,” said Trigg Garner, marketing and sales representative at Victoria Skimboard in Laguna Beach, who helped stage the event. “There were some hitches here and there, but the waves held up well and competitor and spectator alike were privy to a good show.”

Tex Haines, the owner of Victoria Skimboard, beat out a talented field to win the 40-and-Up Division title.

Laguna Beach residents Blair Conklin, Jake Smith and Sam Stinnett (South Laguna Beach) each repeated the success they had last year, by winning division titles last weekend.

Surf conditions picked up all weekend at Aliso Beach, presenting competitors with good, consistent waves for all heats.

Below is a listing are the top finishers in each of the 11 divisions:

Pro Division:

Bill Bryan (Laguna Beach); 2. Jaime Lovett; 3. Paulo Prietto (Laguna Beach); 4. Keith Fowler (Kihei, HI); 5. Brendan Stevens (Laguna Beach); 6. Grady Archbold (Laguna Beach); 7. George Bryan (Laguna Beach); 8. Erik Christensen (Laguna Beach).

40-and-Up Division:

1. Tex Haines (Laguna Beach); 2. Chris Henderson (Laguna Beach); 3. Ron Pringle (Laguna Beach); 4. Brad Dickey (Aliso Viejo).

30-39 Division:

1. Lance Brooks (Aliso Viejo); 2. Paul Wade (n/a); 3. Spencer Taylor (n/a); 4. Sumner Miller (Laguna Beach).

25-29 Division:

1. Brandon McCormick (Los Angeles); 2. Robert Salazar (San Diego); 3. Mark Engletoes (n/a); 4. Paz Derham (Kihei, HI).

22-24 Division:

1. Scooter Hayes (n/a); 2. Jesse Drury (Newport Beach); 3. Newton Anderson (Laguna Beach); 4. Mike Panetta (Mission Viejo).

18-21 Division:

1. Snake McGinn (n/a) ; 2. Noah Alani (Newport Beach); 3. Andrew Moriates (Dana Point); 4. Ryon Graf (Irvine).

15-17 Division:

1. EJ Sanico (n/a); 3. Tommy D’Eliscu (Newport Beach); 4. Stephen Bradford (Largo, Fla.).

12-14 Division:

1. Sam Stinnett (South Laguna Beach); 2. Tim Fulton (Laguna Beach; 3. Emil Davis (Newport Beach); 4. Stevie Contursi (Laguna Beach).

9-11 Division

1. Blair Conklin (Laguna Beach); 2. Jovani Navor (n/a); 3. Cole Armstrong (Laguna Beach); 4. Dylan Hunter (Dana Point).

8-and-Under Division:

1. Jake Smith (Laguna Beach); 2. Willy Hogan (Laguna Beach); 3. Oliver Rothe (Laguna Beach); 4. Matteo Mesinas (n/a).

Women’s Division:

1. Shonna Cobb (Dana Point); 2. Lanakila Kelliher (Kihei, HI); 3. Kristina Graf (La Jolla); 4. Sachiko Onoda (n/a).