Athletes Stunned Crowds at Swatch Nines 2026
Participants showcased creative surfing and skateboarding stunts during the event held at Waco Surf in Texas.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Surfing
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The Swatch Nines 2026 event brought together top athletes to perform surfing and skateboarding stunts on custom-built courses at Waco Surf. Participants engaged in a non-competitive environment designed to foster experimentation and progression.
Why it matters
The event prioritized athlete creativity and collaborative course design over traditional competition, allowing riders to test new boundaries in their respective sports. By hosting a workshop where participants helped shape the final course features, organizers aimed to push the limits of what is possible in surfing and skateboarding.
Over 300 fans attended the event's public day. Participants utilized specialized terrain, including a water-based skate course and a hubba drop rail, to execute their stunts.
The players
Noah Beschen
He is an athlete who successfully landed a frontside 360 shove-it to win the Best Trick Surf - Male award.
Yurin Fujii
She is an athlete who secured both the Best Skater - Female and MVP - Female awards at the event.
Shane Borland
He is an athlete recognized for his performance at the event with the MVP - Male award.
Milla Coco Brown
She is a surfer who earned the Best Trick Surf - Female award for her performance.
Clay Kreiner
He is a skateboarder who won the Best Trick Skate - Male award.
The details
Athletes developed their skills in a non-competitive atmosphere, culminating in awards for notable performances including Best Trick and MVP honors for both male and female categories. The event setup included a Creative Cabin workshop where athletes collaborated to finalize the terrain elements.
Timeline
The Swatch Nines 2026 event took place throughout October 2026.
More than 300 fans attended the public day on Saturday.
Season Trajectory
This event reflects the broader industry shift toward athlete-driven, exhibition-style formats that emphasize progression over traditional scoring. By prioritizing creative collaboration, the event sets a precedent for how future off-season gatherings may influence the evolution of skate and surf terrain.
The use of a water-based skate course at Waco Surf demonstrates the feasibility of integrating hybrid terrain for professional-grade stunts. This technical approach serves as a benchmark for how local facilities can modify their infrastructure to support evolving multi-disciplinary event standards.
The takeaway
Events like the Swatch Nines demonstrate that professional progression often thrives in environments where competition is secondary to collaboration. Athletes looking to push their skills can benefit from seeking out venues that offer custom terrain designed through participant input.
Further reading
Find more highlights and coverage of the sport in the Surfing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ESA - Extreme Sports Action.
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Do you believe sporting events should prioritize athlete creativity over formal competitive scoring?
