Costumed skimboarders to compete this weekend

If you find yourself asking whether or not you just saw a vampire, gorilla or even hot dog gliding into a wave on a skimboard this weekend, the answer will be yes.

All sorts of costumed characters will make their way to New Orleans Street beach in Dewey Beach Saturday, Oct. 29, for the annual Sea Witch Skim Fest. The event coincides with the Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler's Festival each October.

While registration has already closed, spectators are encouraged to come out to the beach for a costume show-off at 8:45 a.m. with competition starting at 9 a.m. Skimboarding in costume is not required, but event organizers do encourage it.

“The skimboarding scene basically goes away with the summer,” said Alley Oop Skim co-owner Corey Mahoney. “For one weekend, we have our whole crew, our whole crowd back in town.”

Alley Oop organizes the event, which draws 30 to 40 competitors each year. This is the sixth year Alley Oop will run the event in Dewey Beach. Harry Wilson, executive director of Dewey Beach-based Skim USA, previously ran the event for a few years in the early 2000s.

“There wasn't anybody who had the time or energy to support it,” Mahoney said. “We saw it as an off-season opportunity to get people down here. We kind of grabbed the bull by the horns.”

The rider with the best costume will receive a free week at one of Alley Oop's summer skim camps. Among Mahoney's favorites in the last few years were an entire family dressing up like the rock band Kiss, riders costumed as the Little Rascals, a Hollywood-quality gorilla costume, and a rider dressed as a hot dog. Prize packs will also be awarded to the top placers in each competition group.

Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 30.

For more information, visit www.alleyoopskim.com or call 302-227-7087.