Surf's up and in their blood

By CHERIE DIEZ, Times Staff Writer
Published August 5, 2007

Seven years ago, Chris Langer won a child-sized skim board in a national competition after officials mistakenly gave the adult-sized board to another competitor.

"That's fine," Langer, now 39, told the apologetic officials. "My son is on the way."

Sebastian Langer's training began shortly after his first birthday, not at the edge of the sea, but at the edge of a carpet. His dad, a skimmer since the age of 14, would place the board and then encourage his son to run from across the house, jump on and glide across the living room.

Time passed. Training moved out of the home and onto the shore. The old board was put away in favor of one with new and lighter technology. Last year, at age 5, Sebastian won his first competition.

Next weekend father and son will compete together in the Florida Skimboarding Pro/Am Tournament in Vilano Beach. Sebastian, now 6, will be defending his title in the youngest age class, the 8 and under mini division, while his father will be competing in the Grand Masters, 30- to 39-year-olds, the second to oldest class.

[Last modified August 5, 2007, 01:26:31]