ABOUT US
We want all riders to feel the uniqueness of the slide, the power and the rush of water around them that is skimboarding. We search to inspire riders of all genders and ages by providing support to a rider’s progression, passion and persistence in becoming a well-rounded athlete.
Our program encourages riders to expand their skills in board riding through a discipline that includes elements of surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, wakesurfing and more.
Meet our instructors!
R.J. Vernoia
Founder
SideSlip Skimboarding was founded by long time skimboarder and skimboarding enthusiast R.J. Vernoia. Raised in Florida, his love for the sport dates back to 2004 when R.J. was just 16 years old. At the time, there was maybe but 10 skimboarding videos amongst the thousands of surfing videos on YouTube. Once R.J. found one, he watched it over and over again. He took this inspiration to the shore and instantly fell in love with the finless feeling that separates skimboarding apart from all other watersports.
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As his passion for the sport grew, he embraced all that came along with it. Over the years, R.J. has developed significant connections in the skimboarding community and has been offered sponsorships by some of the most respected companies in the industry. He has been blessed with the opportunity to travel and ride waves around the world from Mexico to Indonesia.
R.J. moved to Long Island in 2016. In his short time here, he has diligently scouted the beaches all the way from the Rockaways to Montauk. R.J. quickly discovered that Long Island had some of the most untapped and undiscovered waves zones ideal for skimboarding. Eager to share this discovery with all Long Islanders who ever considered picking up the sport but didn’t know where to start. In 2018 SideSlip Skimboarding was born. The passion In teaching and saving clients time and fall’s thru the difficult learning curve of the sport has been a surreal experience and one that gives hope to a dream of skimboarders enjoying shorebreak’s all around the world. As it’s founder It is a goal of RJ’s to pass off SideSlip Skimboarding to a Long Island skimboarder of prominent passion and skill somewhere in the future of New York’s skim scene.
SideSlip Skimboarding invites you to experience all of the organic adventure that comes along with this exciting sport!
Eric Stark
Camp Instructor
My name is Eric stark and Long Island has been my home for almost 30 years. I have been skimboarding on Long Island beaches for 20 years. As a special education bi lingual teacher, varsity soccer coach, and track coach, my dedication for teaching is shown. Being able to instruct young athletes is a passion of mine and teaming up with RJ and sideslip has been a dream come true.
Skimboarding is such a unique and upcoming sport and I love showing the youth what it’s about. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced rider, I can teach you what skimboarding is all about. Having fun, riding waves, and being with good friends.
See you out there !
Robbie Morris
Instructor
Hey there I’m Robbie Morris. I am 32 years young and have been skimboarding since 2002. I started skimboarding with a wooden board on the flat wide beaches of Saint Augustine, Florida. I moved south to Martin county where the beaches are different there is a steep slope and waves breaking right on the shore. There I watched the older, local guys, RJ and many others, slide down the steep shore and smack waves, sending water high into the sky and then riding the wave back up the beach with ease and flow.
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Through watching them closely and studying the different techniques, intently I practiced and honed my comprehension. Obsessing over online videos only added to my understanding. At 14 years old I competed in and won my first contest. I continued to compete and rise through the ranks, earning sponsorships and traveling nationally. In 2011, I began competing professional. As a professional skimboarder, I lived in Laguna beach, California, and held ground with the best of the best. I traveled to the some of the world’s most famous skimboard spots, including the Wedge, Cabo San Lucas, Melaque, Mexico and even Sununga, in Brazil. Through all my expeditions, I’ve learned how to Skimboard at the highest level. While I no longer compete professionally, I am qualified as a professional judge in both Skim USA and United Skim Tour competitions. At this point in my career my intentions are to share my expertise and knowledge of the sport and to help anyone interested in skimboarding. With the aim to do so safely, and successfully. I am excited to share my experience and knowledge with SideSlip skimboarding and all the soon to be skimmers of Long Island, NY.
