Hundreds of spectators were drawn to 26th Avenue Beach on Saturday for a day of skimboarding at the ninth annual Senseless Skimfest. The day’s most exciting rides came from Pro division winner Ben Koscielniak, known better in skimboarding circles as Ben K.
Although competitors came from as far as Laguna Beach, none could keep up with Santa Cruz’s Koscielniak, who was willing to bleed for the title.
Koscielniak, 27, had a smooth start in the first heat, but badly scraped his knee on rocks in the second round. Without tending to his blood-covered knee, Koscielniak dominated the final round to win the $440 prize.
“It went pretty well,” Koscielniak said, beaming with a smile. “I’m really stoked. I’ve gotten second place a few times, and third and fourth, but never won. I had good wave selection and pushed through it to make it happen.”
Among the many people congratulating Koscielniak on his first win was local professional skimboarder and 2007 Skimfest winner Chris Alreck.
