Southern Utah's arid redrock deserts are a far cry from the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, but that doesn't stop a few dedicated surfers from hanging 10 wherever they can find water.
Skimming - a close cousin to surfing - is growing popular alongside the Virgin River in southwestern Utah. The sport involves running on a soggy sand bar, jumping on a skimboard and hydroplaning much as a surfer rides the waves.St. George Leisure Services will host the Virgin River Skimboard Classic - its first skimboard competition - on June 29. Entrants will compete for the longest ride, wildest ride and best homemade board.
The city is also planning to construct a skimming beach in a new park to help draw skimboarders off the river.
Skimming is most popular along the coasts but is done across the country, said Mike Fair of Victoria Skimboards in Laguna Beach, Calif.