Kevin Svarna, U.S. kneeboard champ. Photo: Courtesy of Kevin Svarna
Kevin Skvarna was born and raised in San Juan Capistrano, California and spent his childhood surfing some of the best waves in the world. He started his surf career on the nose of his father’s surfboard when he was just three years old. Now, at 24, he’s a competitor on the WSL longboard tour and was recently crowned the U.S. kneeboard national champion. Here, Skvarna shares how he first got into kneeboarding, his best competition results over the years, and his plans and goals looking forward.
Has the ocean always been an important part of your life?
Yeah, I use it as a place to express myself as well as escape from reality a bit each day. At around 12 years old, I knew I wanted to spend every day I was able to in the water. It has shaped who I am.
When did you first start competing?
I first competed in middle school at the coalition longboard club contests. Then I tried to longboard at school contests as well. By my junior year of high school, I qualified for the WSL longboard tour and got to travel and compete on that tour ever since.
How did you get into kneeboarding?
I got into kneeboarding because I was given a fish shaped shortboard in about eighth grade. I rode it as a shortboard on and off through high school until someone told me that it was a kneeboard. From that point on I tried to ride it as a kneeboard a couple times and found it really fun. From there I met a kneeboarder in the water surfing Salt Creek who allowed me to go through his extensive kneeboard quiver one day. He let me borrow a modern kneeboard and from there I started trying to design kneeboards with Infinity Surfboards in Dana Point. I’ve since made several iterations of my first design and have really had fun learning about making kneeboards.
Can you describe what kneeboarding is and how it differs from traditional surfing?
Kneeboarding is a subculture of surfing with its popularity maximizing in the mid ’80s. It’s made up of a super-small group of people that enjoy the ocean the same as other surfers but are not too concerned with the norms of surfing such as riding a shortboard or longboard all the time. Kneeboarding is unique because it allows you to draw unique lines on a wave that would not otherwise be possible on other surf craft.
What other types of surfing do you do?
I try to ride everything. I’ve been lucky to try so many boards over the years and really enjoy trying new stuff that keeps the ocean exciting for me. I ride longboards primarily but spend a lot of time trying alternative crafts.
What makes Southern California such a great location for surfing and training?
Growing up in San Juan Capistrano was a blessing. It gave me great access to some world-class surf spots just 10-15 minutes drive from my front door. I always liked living here and had great surfing and longboard inspirations who lived close to me. I typically surf Salt Creek, San Onofre, and Trestles in the summer.
What does a typical week look like for you?
It really depends on what I have going on or coming up. It varies a lot. I just recently quit a property management job and am looking to find something new that helps me learn and feel good about how I’m spending my time. When I’m not working, I’m designing boards with Infinity Surfboards, designing and testing longboard fins with Flying Diamonds, or doing some causal modeling or designing with Birdwell Beach Britches, which is my main clothing sponsor.
What have been some of your best results over the years?
My best results in longboarding have been winning the Vans Duct Tape Invitational in Cape Town South Africa this year. Along with a runner up in a WSL longboard tour event in 2020, three individual national titles for college longboard in the NSSA series, and a runner up in the WSL Jose Cuervo Classic at the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch.
My only results I have in kneeboarding are winning the Pro Junior US Titles in 2022, a Pro Junior World Title in Portugal this year along with a third place in the open division at the World Titles in Portugal this year. Then, most recently, taking both the Pro Junior and Open division U.S. titles at the 20th anniversary contest this last month. I wouldn’t quote me, but this might make me the only person with a longboard national title and a kneeboard national title.
What was it like winning the kneeboard world title?
It was really special. After my first year doing the contest in 2022, I felt that I could win both divisions if I tried hard to perfect my equipment and kept up on surfing hard and fast.
What are you up to going forward?
In surfing, I’d like to win a WSL longboard title as it’s something that I’ve worked towards for a long time now. I’m currently ranked 11th on that tour and would like to be in the top five this next year. As far as kneeboarding goes, the next World Titles will be held in South Africa in 2024 and I’d like to win the Open Division along with the Pro Junior division.
