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‘British Surfing community shines at the Surf Awards 2008’

The British surfing community was out in force for the Surf Awards 2008 in association with the UK Pro Surf Tour held at the Esplanade Hotel, Newquay on Sunday the 16th of November.

The prestigious night brought together the cream of UK surfing and industry professionals in a celebration of the UK’s thriving surf scene and its outstanding individual achievements in 2008. 

The accolades consisted of awards based on the results of the 2008 UK Pro Surf Tour as well as brand sponsored awards for individual achievements in all areas of surfing which were decided by a panel of surfing and industry professionals.

South African Reubin Pearce took the ultimate title winning 2008 UK Pro Surf Tour in a dramatic day of surfing at the Animal Newquay Open. Reubin only had an outside chance of clinching the title going into the event; he needed Sam Lamiroy to be eliminated early and then had to reach the final, but must place himself ahead of Alan Stokes, all of which went to plan.

The Women’s tour was dominated and won by Irish surfer Nicole Morgan. Back from a year in Australia she only lost one event entered and that was to fellow Irish Surfer Easkey Britton. Tom Butler had a remarkable year, despite being over shadowed by Reubyn Ash and Jayce Robinson; he won the 2008 UK PST Pro Junior Title.

The Under 16 Boys division was very competitive throughout the year, however with great determination and incredible ability Toby Donachie took the title. Despite fantastic performances from many of the Under 16 Girls, Zoe Sheath from Isle of Wight dominated, not losing one heat all year to take the title.

The future stars of surfing look to be coming from the youngest division. The Under 12 Open this year was very competitive. Two surfers became the major challengers to the title, Dale Foster of Newquay and Ed Smith of Liskeard. They exchanged the lead several times through the course of the year with Dale eventually taking the title.

The awards and winners were as follows...

2008 SURF AWARDS – IN ASSOCIATION WITH UK PRO SURF TOUR

Sponsored awards:
1.  Fat Face Most Improved Surfer 2008 –  Winner: Reubyn Ash (Bude) This year has seen him make his mark on the worldwide surfing scene.
2.  Saltrock Rookie of the Year 2008 – Winner: Jayce Robinson St Ives. The surfer with the best result in his first full year of doing the UKPST.

3.  Spiezia Skin Care Most Inspirational Women’s Surfer 2008 – Winner: Gwen Spurlock (Swansea) This year has seen her bounce back from serious injury.
4.  Relentless Money Move 2008  - Winner:   Alan Stokes (Newquay) For his 10 point barrel ride in the Thurso event, Scotland.
5.  Skinners Surfers Choice Award 2008 – Winner: Oli Adams (Newquay) Voted as their favourite surfer by the surfers themselves.
6. Christian Surfers Sportsman Award 2008 – Winner:    Mark Vaughan (Lantwit) For his great attitude and sportsmanship during the tour.
7. King of Watersports.com King of Waves 2008 – Winner: Alan Stokes (Newquay) For his 10 point barrel ride in the Thurso event, Scotland.
8. The Animal Commitment Award.. – Winner: Mike Young (S Africa) For his commitment to surfing

Media Awards:
9.  Wavelength Most Promising Junior 2008 – Winner: Tom Butler (Newquay) Over shadowed by Reubyn and Jayce but still winning the Pro Junior tour
10. Carve Aerialist 2008 – Winner:     Reubyn Ash (Bude) For his progressive aerialist skills.
11. Surf Girl Most Up and Coming Female Surfer 2008 – Winner: Zoe Sheath (Isle of Wight) – Who did not loose a heat in the U16 Girls division all year
12. A1surf – Most Inspirational Surfer 2008 – Winner: Russell Winter (Newquay) – An Inspiration to all surfers in the UK and overseas
13. Pit Pilot Underdog award. – Winner: Richard Dodd (S Africa) – Consistant performance throughout the year, never giving up.
14. Newquay Airport Best Brit surfing internationally - Winner: Reubyn Ash (Bude) – Competing against Kelly Slater in the event he won his ninth world title and great performances on the ASP Pro Junior Tour.

UKPSA awards:
15. UKPSA Best Surf Judge 2008 - Winner: Tony Good (Newquay)
16. UKPSA Services to the Sport of Surfing 2008 Winner: Nigel Semmens (Newquay) – A surfer who has competed at all levels throughout his career, winning all amateur titles including European title in the 80’s. Now helps many surfers by sponsoring, providing surfboards and encouraging up and coming surfers.

UK PST 2008 Champions.
U12 Open: Dale Foster – (Newquay)
U16 Girls:  Zoe Sheath. (Isle of White)
U16 Boys:  Toby Donachie (St Merryn)
Longboard: Ben Skinner (St Agnes)
Pro Junior: Tom Butler (Newquay)
Women’s: Nicole Morgan (Ireland)
Open: Reubin Pearce (S Africa) 

The event organisers, Evo Management did a great job of making sure the night ran smoothly with impressive staging, lighting and sound creating an electric atmosphere. Martin Peirce from Evo Management (UK) Ltd commented ‘We are proud to be involved in such a prestigious and important event on the surfing calendar and we would like to thank all the sponsors for their commitment and support in making this unique event such a success’.

UK Pro Surf Tour 2008

Reubin Pearce (above)  wins 2008 UK Pro Surf Tour

South African Reubin Pearce wins 2008 UK Pro Surf Tour in a dramatic day of surfing at the Animal Newquay Open. Reubin only had an outside chance of clinching the title going into the event; he needed Sam Lamiroy to be eliminated early and then had to reach the final, but must place himself ahead of Alan Stokes. All of which went to plan, although he had a few very nervous moments, for the first ten minutes of the heat he was placed last. But then he picked off a right hander which allowed two very powerful and vertical turns to take victory away from Alan Stokes and allow him to take the tour title despite not winning the event.

The Women’s tour was dominated and won by Irish surfer Nicole Morgan. Back from a year in Australia she only lost one event entered and that was to fellow Irish Surfer Easkey Britton. 

Tom Butler had a remarkable year, despite being over shadowed by Reubyn Ash and Jayce Robinson; he won the 2008 UK PST Pro Junior Title.

The Under 16 Boys division was very competitive throughout the year, however with great determination and incredible ability Toby Donachie took the title.

Despite fantastic performances from many of the Under 16 Girls, Zoe Sheath from Isle of Wight dominated, not loosing one heat all year to take the title.

The future stars of surfing look to be coming from the youngest division. The Under 12 Open this year was very competitive. Two surfers became the major challengers to the title, Dale Foster of Newquay and Ed Smith of Liskeard. They exchanged the lead several times through the course of the year with Dale eventually taking the title.

The 2008 UK Pro Surf Tour culminated in the Surf Awards, supported by the industry, a night to reward surfer’s for their achievements in 2008.
2008 SURF AWARDS – IN ASSOCIATION WITH UK PRO SURF TOUR

Sponsored awards:

   1. Fat Face Most Improved Surfer 2008 –  Winner: Reubyn Ash (Bude)

 

   2. Saltrock Rookie of the Year 2008 – Winner: Jayce Robinson St Ives

 

   3.   Spiezia Skin Care Most Inspirational Women’s Surfer 2008 –

      Winner:     Gwen Spurlock (Swansea)

   4.   Relentless Money Move 2008  - Winner:   Alan Stokes (Newquay)

 

   5.   Skinners Surfers Choice Award 2008 – Winner: Oli Adams (Newquay)

 

   6. Christian Surfers Sportsman Award 2008 –  Winner:    Mark Vaughan (Lantwit)

 

   7. King of Watersports.com King of Waves 2008 – Winner: Alan Stokes (Newquay)

 

8.  The Animal Commitment Award.. – Winner: Mike Young (S Africa)

Media Awards:

   9. Wavelength Most Promising Junior 2008 – Winner: Tom Butler (Newquay)

 

  10. Carve Aerialist 2008 – Winner:     Reubyn Ash (Bude)

 

  11. Surf Girl Most Up and Coming Female Surfer 2008 – Winner: Zoe Sheath (Isle of Wight)

 

  12. A1surf – Most Inspirational Surfer 2008 – Winner: Russell Winter (Newquay)

 

  13. Pit Pilot Underdog award. – Winner: Richard Dodd (S Africa)

 

  14. Newquay Airport Best Brit surfing internationally - Winner: Reubyn Ash (Bude)

 

15. UKPSA Best Surf Judge 2008 - Winner: Tony Good (Newquay)

16. UKPSA Services to the Sport of Surfing 2008 Winner: Nigel Semmens (Newquay)

 

UK PST 2008 Champions.

U12 Open: Dale Foster – (Newquay)

U16 Girls:  Zoe Sheath. (Isle of White)

U16 Boys:  Toby Donachie (St Merryn)

Longboard: Ben Skinner (St Agnes)

Pro Junior: Tom Butler (Newquay)

Women’s: Nicole Morgan (Ireland)

Open: Reubin Pearce (S Africa)

For further information please contact: Dave Reed 01637 879412

Day one of the Animal Newquay Open at Fistral Beach

Animal Newquay Open

UKPST - Stop 9 of 9

Fistral Beach, Newquay

15th November 2008

Day one of the Animal Newquay Open at Fistral Beach began with some of the best conditions seen at this event in recent years. The final round of the UK Pro Surf Tour started with the Under 16 Boys and Pro Junior heats in 3-4ft onshore waves. The wind may have been onshore but the clean faces to the waves allowed the surfers to perform some big radical turns.

Toby Donachie from St Merryn surfed consistently well throughout, electing to surf all three possible categories, Under 16, Pro Junior and Open divisions. In doing so he progressed to both the Under 16 and Pro Junior finals. Other surfers that selected to surf multiple categories were Tom Butler (Newquay), Reubyn Ash (Bude) and Jayce Robinson (St Ives), who each surfed the Pro Junior and Open categories. All three made the final of the Pro Junior division along with Toby.  

Eventual champion in the Pro Junior was Reubyn Ash, with the highest individual score and combined score for his best two waves, totalling 9.33 and 17.5 respectively. Second place went to Tom Butler with Jayce Robinson in third and Toby Donachie in fourth.

Reubyn commented, “This is my last year in the pro junior division so I was really pleased to win the final event. I really enjoyed it and had some great waves.”

In the under 16 final along with Toby was Alex Baker, Tom Good and Leon Mansfield. All surfers put on an exceptional display of surfing but eventually taking the title was Alex Baker from Croyde, followed by Toby in second, Leon from Newquay in third and Tom, also from Newquay in fourth

Alex said, “It was a good contest, at least there were some decent waves for it. I didn’t feel like I surfed that well during the event but then I seemed to find my feet and got the waves that counted. It’s a great way to end my season!”

The first round of the Open division saw all the expected seeded surfers progress. Stand outs included past WCT surfer Russell Winter, Nathan Phillips from Llantwit and past world junior champion Jye Gofton from Australia.

Tomorrow is looking to be an epic day with the wind dropping and the main title challengers taking to the water including Animal pro surfer Alan Stokes and tour leader Sam Lamiroy.

Surfboards for those stepping off a foam board, starter surfboard packages

The first step for most novice surfers after a surfing lesson is to practice/hire on soft surfboards for a while until they are standing up and catching waves on a regular basis. Then there are a variety of reasonably priced intermediate boards available, the board rack above shows a variety of boards from a shortboard thruster, a fat boy flyer and a mini mal type of board.

Ask your surf instructor for advice on surfboard suitable for you as they would have seen you surfing and know your ability level in the water.

Surfboard packages are available for starters which include board bag, leg rope, board, and wax prices depend on board shape and size:

Prices from
1)  £300 includes 6ft 8 Swallow tail board, board bag, leg rope and wax   > More info
2)  £330 includes 7ft 6 Mini Mal, board bag, leg rope and wax  > More info
3) £355 includes 7ft 10 Mini Mal, board bag, leg rope and wax > More info

Fistral Beach will crown the 2008 UK Pro Surf Tour Champion, 15th and 16th November

Fistral Beach, Newquay

The heat is on for the Animal Newquay Open which is set to crown the 2008 UK Pro Surf Tour champions at Fistral on the 15th and 16th of November.

The event will be the 9th and final event on the UK Pro Surf Tour 2008 and it looks set to be a tense title decider with just a few points standing between current tour leaders Sam Lamiroy and Animal rider Alan Stokes.

Both Sam, the defending UKPST champion,  and Animal rider Alan have had a great year on the 2008 tour leaving it right up until the last event to decide who will take the title making it one of the closest tour results ever.

The 1 star event supported by Animal will consist of Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Pro Junior and Under 16 Boys divisions with a prize purse of £2750.

Dave Reed, Director UK PSA comments,

"It is fitting that the last event will decide the outcome of this year’s tour. The two main challengers are Sam and Alan, who have both won the tour title in the past. However there are two other surfers that have a chance; Reubyn Ash from Bude and South African Ruebin Pearce". Adding “again the level of surfing on the tour has been exceptional, surfers have had to compete in extreme and diverse conditions, who ever wins this years title will deserve it”

The weekend will also see the 2008 Surf Awards being held at the Esplanade Hotel at South Fistral on Sunday the 16th of November to celebrate this year’s achievements in surfing and to officially crown the 2008 tour champion. Tickets for the Surf Awards are available now through the UKPST office.

Animal Newquay Open comes to Fistral Beach, Cornwall

The Animal Newquay Open is set to crown the 2008 UK Pro Surf Tour champions at Fistral on the 15th and 16th of November. The event will be the 9th and final event on the UK Pro Surf Tour 2008.

The UK’s top surfers have travelled throughout the UK during 2008 to events on the UK Pro Surf Tour and it looks set to be a tense title decider at Fistral, with just a few points standing between current tour leaders Sam Lamiroy and Animal rider Alan Stokes.

The 1 star event supported by Animal will consist of Men’s Open, Women’s Open and Pro Junior divisions with a prize purse of £2750.

Dave Reed, Director UK PSA comments,

"It is great to have one of the UK's leading surf brands, Animal supporting the tour, sponsoring the concluding and deciding event. This year we have seen without doubt, one of the most exciting series of events and it is fitting that it will all be decided at the tour finale". 

Steve Kitchin, Animal sponsorship manager added, “We are proud and excited to be involved with the Tour decider event and looking forward to working with the UK PSA in highlighting the talent and developing the quality of British surfing” .

The weekend will also see the 2008 Surf Awards being held at the Esplanade Hotel at South Fistral on Sunday the 16th of November to celebrate this year’s achievements in surfing and to officially crown the 2008 tour champion. Tickets for the Surf Awards are available now through the UKPST office.

Quiksilver Portrush Open – Irish Surfers take home all the glory

Glenn Hall, who surfs for the Irish National team, took home the Portrush Open Title in clean 2-foot surf at White Rocks Beach in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.  Glenn who learned to surf in Australia but has recently returned to his Irish roots, took control of the event from the first round.  The small surf suited his sharp, effortless style and the gathered crowd of spectators were soon predicting his victory.  Glenn not only won the final but also the King of Watersports.com ‘King Of The Waves’ prize for the individual best wave score and ‘The Relentless Money Move’ for the most powerful manoeuvre to complete a clean sweep of the prizes.  Glenn, who is ranked in the top 50 on the world professional circuit (WQS) was delighted with the win, which could not have come at a better time as he is getting married next month in Hawaii.  Young Jayce Robinson from Cornwall put up a good fight in the final to finish second within a single point of Glenn.  Last year’s UK Pro Tour winner and current ratings leader Sam Lamiroy took third and Martin Black placed fourth after an impressive semi final performance.  The final was enjoyed by the biggest crowd of the Quiksilver and Roxy3 Degrees series so far who were also greeted with sunshine and light winds.

In the Roxy Portush Open Women’s event, local Irish surfer Easkey Britton took control from the opening seconds of the final in a strong display of surfing.  Easkey, who is studying in Northern Ireland, often trains at the contest venues of White Rocks and the East Strand whenever she is away from her home beach of Rossnowlagh.  She also won the ‘Queen Of The Waves’ sponsored by King of Watersports.com for the highest wave score.  Shauna Ward from Bundoran finished second in small conditions at low tide that made wave selection all important.  Sarah Bentley from Cornwall placed third and Raine Jackson from Australia finished fourth.   

The Portrush event had extra points and prize money for the best surfers in Britain and beyond who had travelled to surf in the previous events in Tynemouth NE England and Thurso in Scotland as part of the Quiksilver and Roxy 3 Degrees series.  Spencer Hargraves representing the event sponsor said, “Quiksilver is proud to support the grass roots of surfing in Britain and Ireland. We have surfed the last three events in all possible conditions.  We have had to contend with snow, gale force winds, and waves that have varied from 2ft to 8ft perfection.  The 3 Degrees series has shown the high standard of British surfers and the great locations we have around our coastlines.”  

Coleraine Borough Council laid on their excellent facilities to the travelling surfers.  Coleraine Borough Councillor Norman Hillis said, “I am pleased to welcome surfers from all around the world who had travelled a long way from much warmer places to be here at our great beaches on the North Coast.  I’m sorry we haven’t been able to provide big waves here today.  It’s the one thing we can’t guarantee, but as a boy I remember huge waves out here at our beaches, so I hope that you will all be back here again for an even better and bigger event next year.”   

As the Quiksilver and Roxy 3 Degrees series draws to a close with a very successful finale, the surfers now continue on to Newquay for the final event on the UK Pro Surf Tour where the overall winner will be decided. 

Roxy Surf Women’s Open held in Icy Thurso East, Scotland

After a great day of surfing in solid North Shore conditions, the Scottish Open yet again provided the goods.  With a swell of 6ft plus, the legendary break of Thurso East came alive, allowing the best of British surfers to shine in world class waves in the shadow of an ancient castle.  

In a tough final, fantastic waves were traded and only a few points split the positions throughout as the four surfers turned up the heat in the icy water.   Reubin Pierce made the most of an exchange of waves in the dying seconds to take second place.  Despite a slow start Reubyn Ash landed a huge floater on his final wave to propel himself into third place.  Spencer Hargraves made the most of the conditions with his strong surfing and dominated the middle part of the final but couldn’t match the high scores of 16.93 that gave first place to Micah Lester.  Micah scored a 9.1 on his opening wave with a barrel and huge carving hack, leaving him looking for a back up wave that eventually came to him to seal the deserved victory.  ‘For me I couldn’t ask for a better wave for this event.  It is the best right-hander in the country and maybe in Europe and suits me to a tee.  It is my favourite wave in Europe and this is the highlight of my year.  Yesterday was the hell road trip and then today was pumping.  It’s great,’ said Micah after the prize presentation.  

Quiksilver Team Captain Spencer got barrelled for most of the day and enjoyed the solid conditions and scored an 8.7 for his carve and barrel ride in the final.  Earning a perfect ten-point ride earlier in his quarterfinal with a late take-off barrel, Alan Stokes won both the King of the Waves award for the individual highest wave score and the Relentless Money move award.  

The Roxy event also ran and the ladies were out in solid reef break conditions. Surfing in cold water and over shallow rocks didn’t faze them at all.  Nicole Morgan, Shauna Ward, Caroline Perret, Jo Dennison and Raine Jackson put on a great display, showing the crowds that the girls don’t mind the big surf at all.  Jo Dennison came second in the thrilling final with Nicole Morgan stealing the wave she needed at the end to push Shauna Ward into third place and to take the victory.  Nicole thanked Roxy and the UK Pro Surf Tour for arranging such a great event for the girls to showcase their talents in fantastic waves.  Shauna Ward won the Queen of the Waves award scoring a 7.63, which was the highest individual score of the final.

The day didn’t start out quite like it ended.  Rain, hail and strong winds greeted the surfers at the 8am start time.  As the day progressed however the 8 ft messy waves improved as the wind turned offshore and the sun (yes sun!) shone through the clouds to provide a fantastic end to proceedings.  The conditions were well earned after some tough days of driving around England and Scotland in search of the best available waves in between snow and gales in order to complete the North East Open.    

The surfers continue on to the third event of the Quiksilver and Roxy 3 Degrees Series, which is organised and run by the UK Pro Surf Tour.  The entire team of surfers, organisers and supporters will be back on the road again tomorrow, with the next destination being Portrush in Northern Ireland for what will undoubtedly be another display of impressive surfing

Many thanks must go to: Christian Surfers for providing refreshments throughout the event, Relentless for energy drink to keep everyone going and Evo Management for event structure.

Results:

Open

1st  Micah Lester (Aus)

2nd   Reuben Pearce (S Africa)

3rd   Reubyn Ash (Bude)

4th   Spencer Hargraves (Newquay)

Womens

1st  Nicole Morgan (Ireland)

2nd   Joe Dennison (Pembroke)

3rd   Shauna Ward (Ireland)

4th   Caroline Perret (France)

Relentless Best Barrel Money Move: Alan Stokes (Newquay)

Kingofwatersports.com King of the Waves Award: Open Alan Stokes (Newquay) 10 point wave. Women Shauna Ward (Ireland) 7.7 point wave

Surfers brave the harshest conditions ever seen in professional surfing!

Gale force winds, snow and below-zero temperatures made this event perhaps one of the most hard core professional surfing events ever!   

The North East Open is part of the Quiksilver and Roxy 3 Degrees Series.  The event organised as part of the UK Pro surfing Tour was due to run in Tynemouth.   In search of the best available conditions, the surfers and organisers drove just about as far North and as about far East as you can go in mainland UK.  This morning the event ran just south of John ‘o’ Groats at Keiss beach.  Conditions were harsh at best and horrific at times.  In between hail and snow squalls small clean waves were found and the surfers dived in regardless. 

As the day progressed, better waves were reported at Sandside beach, so the surfers drove on in search of optimum conditions in which to surf their event.  This time to a beach that is in fact located in the shadow of the Dounreay Nuclear Facility.   A great left hand break allowed the surfers to show off their best manoeuvres to the judges.  No spectators unrelated to the surfers braved the elements!  Except for perhaps the odd seal, few people would have known that the best surfers in the UK were fighting it out for the £2000 prize and vital points up for grabs as part of the UK Pro Surfing Tour.  

Eventual winner, Sam Lamiroy took the title and beat the other finalists in what was to be a tough day in the office.  The winner’s cheque and the points will always make a bad day good.  Runner up in second place was Quiksilver Welshman Nathan Phillips, and not quite finding the required waves despite earlier great performances were Warren Tuck from South Africa in third and his countryman Mike Young in Fourth.  The King of Water Sports award for the highest wave score was awarded to the Australian Jye Goffton for a 9.77 ride. 

Britain’s best male and female surfers remain in the far North of Scotland to compete again in the Quiksilver and Roxy Scottish Challenge.  The tour will then be moving onto Northern Ireland for the Quiksilver and Roxy Portrush Open.   

Despite the wind and the harsh elements the surfers and organisers will be ready in the spirit of adventure to face the conditions again for the upcoming contests.   Next year the events could be more aptly renamed, The Quiksilver and Roxy ‘minus’ three degrees series.  One thing is for sure; surfing in the snow definitely pushes the limits of professional surfing! 

Gabe Davies

Caroline Peret (France) won the Roxy North East Women’s Open, held at Longsands Beach, Tynemouth over the weekend.

In tricky conditions, Caroline managed to catch the best waves and surf them well to dominate the final defeating her fellow competitors. She took an early lead scoring a 6.9 out of a possible 10 points forcing the other finalists to play catch up. Jenny Horbas (Bournemouth) came closest and eventually placed second. Third went to Australian Raine Jackson and fourth Lauren Davies (Newcastle).

Caroline commented “this is a great event, good to see so many spectators watching the finals”

Caroline also claimed King of Watersports.com King of the Wave, highest scoring wave to win a Sector 8 Skateboard

Earlier Jayce Robinson (St Ives) defeated all-comers to win the Relentless Money Move, when he preformed an aerial in the contest.

Due to the inconsistent surf, the Quiksilver North East Open has been relocated to Skirza, on the tip of North East Scotland. It will be held tomorrow morning, the surf is forecast to be big, but the weather cold.

This event is part of a new Extreme Sports Festival XPerience 08, which included: Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Live Music plus many other activities. 

It was the first stop on the Quiksilver 3 Degrees Series. The next two stops are in Thurso Scotland 28th 29th October, followed by Portrush N Ireland 1st 2nd November. It is also the sixth stop on the UK Pro Surf Tour which encompasses England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland.

Many thanks must go to North Tyneside Council for the support of this event and the development of a new Extreme Sports Festival in the North East.