The 3rd Annual SCION NYBB Pro - Amateur Division
Local and Amateur Sponsors: No. 6, Custom-X, unsOund Surf, Beach House, Minnesota's, Dunes Deli in Lido, Red Bull, Town of Hempstead
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NEW YORK, September 9, 2007 - There was much anticipation
leading up to this year's Amateur Division, as the pool of up and coming rippers has exploded of late. There is a strong movement of bodyboarding talent, culture, and unity building here in NY, NJ, and all along the East Coast, and that was clearly evident by the competition displayed amongst the Am's this year.
The first heat featured local NY'ers Mike Andosca and Dan Garcia, and 
repping New Jersey was Noah Brooks, Tom Brandli, and Dillan Druz. Druz quickly showed why he won the Jenks Am's and took first Heat 1 with smooth combos and strong moves making the most of the conditions. Mike Andosca put forth a solid effort as well, taking 2nd. Noah Brooks secured 3rd, advancing the three of them to the semi-final round, and ending the day for Brandli and Garcia. The second heat was 
also full of talent, with RJ Clayton and Rob Mack taking first and second respectively, and Brian Vitalo wrapping up third and shutting out two NY'ers in Brian Skopinich (4) and Ashley Fava (5). It was the Hawaiians who dominated Heat #3, with Riley Dutro convincingly owning 1st, and Kingsley Uaiawa grabbing second, completing the one-two HAwaiian sweep. Local boy Dave Kessler sealed up third,
sideling both Paul Caperna and Dave Fava for the remainder of the day. The fourth and finat heat in the semi's once again went to New Jersey with Chris Detlinger putting forth a solid effort to claim the heat, and Evan Conway (NY) combined on several good waves to seal up second. Phil Parr (NY) was probably the biggest guy in the divison but showed versatility with a series of rolls and spins to manage third,
edging out John McKenzie (NY - 4) and Justin Lawson (NY - 5).
The scene was set for the Semi-Finals, with Mike Andosca and Brian Vitalo from NY battling Jersey's own Dillan Druz, Rob Mac, RJ Clayton, and Noah Brooks. Once again Druz owned the heat placing first, but NY standout grom Brian Vitalo
gave him a solid fight and sealed up second, and RJ Clayton took third, sending them all to the Finals, and elimnating Mike Andosca (4), Rob Mack (5), and Noah Brooks (6). Semi-Final #2 would see three NY hopefuls fall (Dave Kessler 4, Phil Parr 5, Evan Conway 6), with Hawaiians Riley Dutro and Kingsley Uaiwa knocking out the pack with another one-two punch, and Chris Detlinger again putting up a solid performance
in the dismal conditions taking 3rd.
This year's NYBB Amateur Final boasted the most talent we've seen in the 3 years of the event's history. The Am's put on quite a show and give much promise to bodyboarding's future here in the United States and on the East Coast. Once again, Dillon Druz (NJ) proved he's the real deal and indeed the man to beat, taking 
home first and completing a sweep of the USBA Tour East Coast leg. Riley Dutro (HI) put in a solid all-around performance throughout the entire contest, earning a well-deserved second place on the podium. Defending his home turf and determined to keep Strong Island from being shut out from the winner's circle, Brian 'The Future' Vitalo (NY) threw down for the home town and clinched third by drawing clean lines and smooth
combos. Chris Detlinger (NJ) would go on to take the 4th and final spot in the winner's circle, with Kingsley Uaiwa (HI) and RJ Clayton (NJ) finshing 5th and 6th respectively.
Congratulations and thanks to all competitors for a great show. We look forward to seeing the "new breed" continuing to progress and grow, and are encouraged by what the 
future may bring. Thanks to all of our visitors from near and far, and for all the locals who showed our guestsw what New York hospitality is all about...
Those fans that stuck around until the end got hoooked up with freebies from No.6 and Custom-X Bodyboards! During the meet and greet autograph signing at unsOund Surf shop in Long Beach, we gave away one brand new No. 6 to a fit young grommet who did 40+ pushups and beat out all of his buddies on the sidewalk in front of the shop. In keeping with NYBB tradionion, the annual swimfin sprint was on! A spanking new Custom-X board was given away to one unidentified speedy grom who claimed the win, the board, and went home stoooked! but unfortunately no one went down this year since the run was too short. Consider yourselves lucky, as next year will be a full on 800 yard sprint! Remember, It's not a swim fin sprint unless people are tripping over each other and falling flat on their faces, so start training today!
Thanks very much once again to No. 6 Bodyboards and Custom-X Bodyboards for sponsoring our Amateur Division and providing so many great prizes for the contest! Thanks also to unsOund surf for proving $300 cash award to the "Maneuver of the Day!" No. 6, Custom-X, and unsOund are all returning sponsors and we can't thank them enough for their continued dedication to our cause! Thanks to new sponsors: The Dunes Deli in Lido for providing lunch for our entire staff; thanks to Minnesota's and the Beach House for their hospitality especially to our traveling guests! Special Thanks goes out to the Town of Hempstead and their Ocean Lifeguards and EMS staff for all of their hard work and keeping everybody safe. Please support those that support you, and be sure to say THANK YOU from all of us at New York Bodyboarding! Hope to see you all next year!
All images courtesy of Evan Conway at: www.RedDawnProductions.net
Written By: Bob Baldwin