You know what skimboarding is, right? It's when you take a thin, nearly flat board, get a running head start, throw the board down on the thin film of water left over on the beach after a wave breaks, then ride it as far as you can, hopefully up onto the face of another breaking wave.

Skimboarding has come a long way in the past few decades. In my day, a skimboard was made out of a piece of 3/4 inch marine plywood covered with varnish. It was usually round and was completely flat -- a real tank.

Now they are made out of modern materials and are shaped to optimal specs. They're a lot lighter than plywood too. And the tricks they do on skimboards now are unbelievable.

So you won't want to miss the 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam coming up at the Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort in Panama City Beach. This is a nationally recognized skimboarding competition organized by Tony and Lib Johnson of Mr. Surf's Surf Shop. Net proceeds from contestants' entry fees benefit the Boys and Girls Club and Skim USA.

What: 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam Skimboarding Contest

Where: Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, Panama City Beach

When: Saturday, April 18, 2009, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 18 (Finals at 9 a.m.)

Other activities at the Contest: Stand-up Paddleboard Demo & Regatta, Panama Jack's Lil'Sandiggers Treasure Hunt for kids, Sunday morning Church on the Beach (non-denominational service).

Where to stay: The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach

More information about the 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam.