Team USA is stoked for an epic adventure to South Africa. In August we travel to the bucket list surf destination of Jeffreys Bay for the 2024 Kneeboard Surfing World Titles. This year’s event promises to be the biggest and best contest and kneelo gathering of all time at one of the world’s premier surf breaks. We’ll be joining current and former champions and top kneeboard surfers from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and other Venezuela. The competition will be stiff, and we are bringing our best.
This year’s US Team is one of the biggest and strongest we’ve ever fielded. The team includes the current world number two and three surfers from the 2022 World Titles Open Division and three age division champions. Six of the top seven kneeboarders from the 2024 US Kneeboard Titles will be competing in South Africa. We’ll have competitors in the Open, Women’s division and six of nine age divisions. Current US Champion, World #3, and World Pro Junior Champ Kevin Skvarna and World #2, Senior Champ Sam Coyne will be looking to improve on their Portugal results. At the other end of the age groups, defending Immortals Champion Scott Wessling shows us that you can keep getting better with age.
Representing the state of Hawaii and Oahu’s East Side, Darren is a long time kneeboarder and photographer. His local is Sandy Beach, but you’ll often find him travelling in New Zealand and other surf destinations.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- Ala Moana Bowls 1985 6th place
- 2007 World Titles in Santa Cruz
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles
What boards are you taking: Bruce Harts Flashpoints
8-time US champ, Blacks regular, and current KSUSA President.
Age Division: Kahunas
Contest Experience:
- 1996 World Titles in Wollongong (knocked out on interference)
- 1999 World Titles in Opunake (equal 5th)
- 2004 World Titles in Tahiti (equal 5th)
- 2007 World Titles in Santa Cruz (equal 5th)
- 2022 World Titles in Dunedin, New Zealand
- All KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2003 – 2024 – 8 Time US Kneeboard Champion
Most Memorable Contest Experience: My first world titles was with the US Team in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in February 1988. That was “the team without Kelly Slater” since he bombed out in the US team trials. Neither I nor the US Team did very well, but it was still incredible to surf in front of thousands of very enthusiastic Puerto Ricans who arrived early, partied all day and stayed late.
What boards are you taking: 5’3 “OTB” model quad and 5’5 “OTB” model quad shaped by James Mangano/K58 (and maybe buy a J-Bay board in SA).
Sponsors: K58 Surf Designs
What are you looking forward to the most in South Africa: It’s my first real surf trip in five years! Let’s go TEAM USA!!!
Brad Colwell a former World Titles, Legends division champion. Brad is the former KSUSA President and long-time member of the KSUSA contest committee. He is the goodwill ambassador for kneeboarding. Always smiling, always positive. Don’t let that smile fool you, he is a serious competitor. Brad is a Blacks Beach regular.
Age Division: Immortals
Contest Experience:
- All KSUSA Titles 2004-2024
- 2005 KSUSA Titles AA Division 4th Place
- 2011 KSUSA Titles AA Division Champion
- 2014 KSUSA Titles AAA Division Champion
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz
- 2009 World Titles, New Zealand
- 2011 World Titles, Phillip Island, Australia
- 2015 World Titles, Kiama, Australia – Kahunas 3rd Place
- 2017 World Titles, Somo, Spain-Legends Champion
- 2019 Phillip Island Kneeboard Pro
- 2020 World Titles, Dunedin, New Zealand – Legends 4th Place
- 2022 World Titles, Costa Nova, Portugal – Immortals 3rd Place
- 2013-14 NSSA Southwest Explorer Kneeboard-Conference Champion
- Wildcoast Dempsey Holder Ocean Festival
2012, 2013, 2015 – Champion
Most Memorable Contest Experience: 2017 World Titles-Somo, Spain winning the Legends. You don’t get many opportunities to win a World Division Title and the competition is stiff.
What boards are you taking: Two awesome new boards, a 5’9″ Flashpoint (double flyer rounded pin), and a 5’7″ Bilt (soft double flyer round tail, EPS).
Sponsors: None personally, but I’m stoked for the generosity of the kneeboard shapers who have supported and continue to support KSUSA and kneeboarding around the world.
What are you looking forward to the most in South Africa: Having two weeks at JBay, exploring some of this amazing country, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones.
Joe Coyne is the webmaster for KSUSA and member of the team that organizes KSUSA contests. Joe is a regular at Blacks.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2004 – 2024
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2007 Santa Cruz
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2011 Phillip Island, Australia
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2015 Kiama, Australia
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2017 Somo, Spain
- Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2020 Dunedin, New Zealand
4th Kahuna Age Division - Kneeboard Surfing World Titles 2022 Costa Nova, Portugal
4th Kahuna Age Division
Most Memorable Contest Experience: At the 2020 World Titles in New Zealand I made the finals in the Kahuna’s age division coming in fourth and watched Sam come in a close second to Chayne in the Open Final and then repeating those results in Portugal. Watching Brad and Bob win their age divisions in Spain was right up there too. Surfing with the legends of our sport is always a highlight.
What boards are you taking: Bruce Hart shaped Flashpoint 5’9” round pin and a step up
What are you looking forward to the most in South Africa: Looking forward to getting together with kneeboarding friends from around the world at a bucket list surf destination, finding some great surf spots, exploring the food and the country of South Africa.
Sam Coyne grew up in San Diego surfing Blacks, La Jolla reefs, and Point Loma surrounding breaks. Spent considerable time in the Central California area (San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz) where my surfing really took off, getting to surf much heavier waves. I’ve been living in Auckland, New Zealand since March 2019, getting to surf many more point breaks with some high-quality beach breaks.
Age Division: Seniors
Contest Experience:
- 2nd place 2022 World Titles, Portugal and Senior Division Champion
- 2nd place 2020 World Titles, New Zealand
- 1st place in the last 2 Taranaki Regional Contests
- 1st place Pro Junior KSUSA contest 2019
- 3X finalist in KSUSA Open (2016-2018)
- 3X finalist in Pro Junior World Titles
- Consistently surfed in KSUSA contests since 2004
Most Memorable Contest Experience: The KSUSA has added a junior/pro junior division to the US national titles for a long time in order to help the younger generation of kneeboarders. I’ve come close, but never have won it in the decade+ of contests I’ve surfed in. But, in 2019 I finally won. It was especially special since it would be my last year as a junior/pro junior.
What boards are you taking: I’m taking a couple of SD Kneeboards.
- 5’6″ x 23″ Round pin, quad, SD Kneeboard (waves 4-10′)
- 5’4″ x 23″ Squash tail, quad, SD Kneeboard (waves 1-4′)
Sponsors: SD Kneeboards (Joe Taylor, Mark Sweeny), Surf Systems/Cove Pads (Casey Patelsky), KneeloNation (Tom Fish), DMC Fins
What are you looking forward to the most in South Africa: Getting some high quality waves in a beautiful part of the world.
Ed Dimick is a long-time Kneelo Cove Crew member and a member of the Kneeboard Surfing USA leadership. For years he has served as the contest director responsible for heat assignments and contest logistics. A veteran of KSUSA contests since the beginning and multiple World Titles, Ed will again join the US Team in South Africa.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2003 – 2024
- 2004 World Titles, Tahiti
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, USA
- 2009 World Titles, New Zealand
- 2022 World Titles, Portugal
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Surfing KSUSA contests at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz with only 3 other competitors in the water. Competing in World Titles and making the Legends final in Portugal.
What boards are you taking: Bilt EPS thruster squash tail – 6’2″ X 24 3/4″ x 2 3/4″. Parkes quad square tail – 6’3″ x 25″ x 3″.
What are you looking forward to the most in South Africa: Surfing J-Bay and other great waves, seeing the sites, catching up with friends and meeting/surfing with kneelos from around the world.
Year 7 of kneelo transition hailing from the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Former US Women’s Division Champion.
Age Division: Kahunas
Contest Experience:
- 2022-2024 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach, 2022 Women’s Division Champion
- 2022 World Titles, Portugal
- 2022 Cantabria Kneeboard Festival
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Getting to see the legends rip in Portugal.
What boards are you taking: Blasts and Natural Art Kneeboards
Sponsors: Whalebone Surf Shop and Mamala Surf wetsuits.
Roger Hughes represents the surf Mecca of Santa Cruz for Team USA. Roger has been a strong competitor in KSUSA contests since 2004. Roger is at home in the heavy beach breaks and reefs of Monterrey and Santa Cruz.
Age Division: Kahunas
Contest Experience:
- 2004 US Titles Santa Cruz: Second place AA division and Most Radical Maneuver trophy, which to this day is the trophy I’m most proud to own. This contest was at Pleasure Point.
- 2005 US Titles Santa Cruz: 2nd Place, in the open. This contest was at Steamer Lane.
- 2009 US Titles Santa Cruz: First place AA division, which by far were the best waves I have ever surfed at Steamer Lane.
- 2014 US Titles Huntington Pier: Third place AAA. The difference between this contest and the other contests was everyone was surfing at their prime. It seemed to me the common denominator was Bruce Hart’s Flashpoint surfboards, I was sold.
- 2017 US Titles Oceanside: Third place AAA Division.
- 2017 World Titles, Spain
What boards are you taking:
Sponsors: My sponsor is O’Neil Surf Shop. They have been taking care of me for over 30 years. I’m on the local team, not international, which is a couple of free suits a year and a decent discount. Rest In Peace Jack O’Neil.
What are you looking forward to the most in South Africa: I am really looking forward to getting together with a lot of other Knee-boarders, some I’ve met and some I have not.
Tom Linn is a long-time member of the KSUSA executive team and contest organizer. Tom is one of the most experienced competitors representing Team USA. Tom is a Salt Creek local.
Age Division: Immortals
Contest Experience:
- 1986 Amateur World Titles – Open 4th
- 2002 World Titles, AUS, Masters – 3rd
- 2004 KSUSA Titles, Santa Cruz, Open – 3rd
- 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, Grandmasters – Champion
- 2009 World Titles, Opunake, New Zealand – 3rd Veterans
- 2014 NSSA Kneeboard Series, Champion
- 2018 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach, AAA 1st
- 2021 World Titles, New Zealand, 2nd Veterans
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Competing in the 1986 Amateur World Titles in Newquay, England along with Michael Novakov (1st place) who did a barrel roll in the grand final and Simon Farrer (2ndplace). My teammate on the US Team was a young Kelly Slater.
What boards are you taking: Infinity Kneeboards
Sponsors: Infinity Kneeboards/ Infinity Surfboards
What are you looking forward to the most in New Zealand: Catching up with old friends and meeting new friends in the world kneeboard community.
Shaun Murphy is ranked third on the KSUSA contest circuit in 2024, and 2020 World Pro Junior champion. One of the younger members of the US Team, he is a super competitive kneelo vying for the top spot at every contest he enters.
Age Division: Seniors
Contest Experience: My most notable contest result would have to be in last years 2019 KSUSA US Titles in which I finally made it to the Open final. Before that was probably one of my first contests way back in 2007 at Steamer lane (Worlds) in which I won my age division as a Junior. There wasn’t very many of us in that bracket but the waves were pumping for the final, it was epic to have the lane to ourselves!
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles 2005 – 2024
2024 3rd Open Division
former Junior Division Champion - 2007 World Titles, Santa Cruz, CA – Junior Division Champion
- 2019 US Kneeboard Titles – 3rd Open Division
- 2020 World Titles, Dunedin, New Zealand – Pro Junior Division Champion
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Most memorable contest experience would have to be scoring a perfect 10 in Huntington a couple years back. Pulled into a nice A-frame backdoor and came out clean, then finished with a round house cutty’. Fun stuff.
What boards are you taking: Blast and SD Kneeboards
Sponsors: Blast, SD Kneeboards (Joe Taylor, Mark Sweeny), Surf Systems/Cove Pads (Casey Patelsky), KneeloNation (Tom Fish), Yucca Fins
What are you looking forward to the most in South Africa: I’m looking forward to everything honestly! I’m excited to be surfing new waves in a part of the world I’ve never been to. Hopefully try some new food and learn about South Africa’s culture a bit more. Can’t wait to be in South Africa meeting new brothas and sisters from all over and running into some old friends I met back in 2007 and 2020. It’ll be fun to share the stoke and camaraderie with some legends and beyond stoked to represent Team USA!
Saffa expat Sean Noone returns to South Africa as a member of Team USA after a Finals finish at this year’s US Kneeboard Titles. A long time resident of Southern California, Sean is a regular at Salt Creek and San Clemente beaches.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- 1982 – 2nd South Africa Champs 8-12 ft Outer Kom
- 1983 – 3rd South African Champs 8ft Nahoon Reef
- 1984 – 2nd South African Champs Victoria Bay
- 1985 – 4th South Africa Champs St Michael’s South Coast
- 1986 – 1ST South African Champs JbAY GIANT 8 – 10 10ft – 38 years ago!!!!!
- 1990 – 3rd South African Champs Victoria Bay
- 1991 – 4th South African Champs Jeffires Bay
- NSSA Explorer Series Champion 2013 2014 2015
- 1993 Springbok team National Colors
- 1999 – 2nd Masters (DON HARRIS WON) World Champs New Zealand
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles
2022 1st AA
2023 6th AAA
2024 6th Open
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Best Heat ever surfed 1986 Giant JBay 3 man semi Red Ceglowski, Gigs Celliers and myself as the siren sounded I caught a big set wide into the bay – never saw either on my competitors the whole heat it was victory at sea and my sweetest victory paving the way for a win in the final.
What boards are you taking: BruSurf and Bilt
Sponsors: BruSurf
Daniel Pipala is an Expat based in Asia, 18 years kneeboarding – hunting waves in Indonesia and Australia.
Age Division: Veterans
Contest Experience:
- SKC Comp, Long Reef Australia
Most Memorable Contest Experience: Surfing with the kneelo legends in Long Reef & Duranbah. Australia
What boards are you taking: Bruce Hart Shaped Flashpoint 6.2 DoubleWing Area Pintail
Sponsors: Oontz Audio
What are you looking forward to the most in South Africa: Jbay Perfection and Surfing with the USA Team!
Stinson Beach Legend
Age Division: Kahunas
Contest Experience:
- 40 years of misery
Most Memorable Contest Experience: I’ve never lost to Randy Reed and I never will.
What boards are you taking: 3 BILTS (All EPS)
Sponsors: ISURUS Wetsuits, BILT kneeboards, Under Armour clothing
Ocean Beach, San Francisco regular
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- KSUSA US Kneeboard Titles
Most Memorable Contest Experience: 2007 worlds Santa Cruz 4th masters & tied for 5th overall
What boards are you taking: Bringing 3 boards two Bilt EPS one Flashpoint step up poly.
Eric Skvarna, father of current US Champion Kevin Skvarna is relatively new kneeboard competition. He competed at the 2024 US Kneeboard Titles. We’re stoke to have him join Team USA on our trip to Jeffreys Bay for the World Titles.
Age Division: Legends
Contest Experience:
- 2024 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach
Kevin Skvarna is a modern day multi-talented waterman. A veteran of the WSL Longboard Tour, Kevin started his kneeboard competition resume with 2nd in the Open Division and 1st in the Pro Junior Division at the 2022 US Kneeboard Titles. He placed 3rd is his first Kneeboard Surfing World Titles in Portugal and claimed the Pro Junior age division title. Kevin claimed back to back US Kneeboard Champion titles in 2023 and 2024.
Age Division: Pro Junior
Contest Experience:
- 2024 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach
Open Division Champion - 2023 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach
Open Division Champion - 2022 KSUSA Titles, Huntington Beach
2nd Open Division, Pro Junior Champion - 2022 Kneeboard World Titles, Portugal
3rd Open Division, Pro Junior Champion - WSL Longboard Tour
Sponsors: Infinity Surfboards, Birdwell Beach Britches, Race-Trac Pads
After several years as a standup surfer through high school, my older brother, Mark, shaped me a 5’0″ rocket and challenged me in 1972 to give kneeriding a try. 52 years later, still hooked! Added comps into my surfing in 2003 and that’s really forced me to up my game. Now I’m one of the older active kneelos around and enjoying that challenge!
Age Division: Invincibles
Contest Experience:
- Best results for World Kneeboarding Titles are twice making it to the Open Division Quarterfinals (2020 and 2022), twice with 2nd place finishes in my age division (2009 and 2020), and the Immortals Division Champ for 2022.
- Best results in KSUSA Kneeboarding Titles in last three years—two Open semi-finals (2022 and 2023) and one Open final (2024).
Most Memorable Contest Experience: In general, the overall excitement gripping everyone at the world competitions–it’s electric! And more specifically, meeting our guys coming to the beach after hard-fought heats, yelling for them and waving the American flag. Love that flag…
What boards are you taking: Steve Walden 6’2″ EPS squash tail small wave board, 6’3″ EPS rounded pin step-up board.
Sponsors: Steve Walden Surfboards
