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Alex Wade takes a tumble followed by, the Gill in water or Tarmac your choice?

Mark Harris is the new Saltrock Open Champion, UK Pro Surf Tour off to a flyer

Saltrock Open

Stop No 1 of 9 on 2008 UK PST

12^th/13^th April, 2008

Croyde Beach, North Devon

www.bpsauktour.com

Mark Harris (Newquay) has clinched the first title of the UK Pro Surf Tour with a masterclass of inspired surfing in the testing conditions of Croyde Bay

With a brilliant piece of showmanship, Mark snatched the title from under the noses of fellow finalists Matt Capel (South Devon), Joss Ash (Bude) and Johnny Fryer (Isle of Wight) in a gripping battle full of drama and technical brilliance.

Entries were bulging in each of the six divisions of The Saltrock Open this year, and large numbers of spectators lined the contest arena to see things get underway bright and early on a sunny Saturday morning in some decent 3 to 4 foot swell.

Winds were still gusting strongly, having dropped considerably overnight, and competitors in the first rounds were tested thoroughly by the challenging conditions.

First off the blocks were the Pro-Juniors, who paddled out eagerly into the powerful surf.  It was certainly survival of the fittest in the early rounds as anyone not firing on all cylinders was soon swept aside by the strongly surging water.  Tom Butler (Newquay) and Reubyn Ash (Bude) stood out early on, surfing skilfully and confidently through the rounds to compete in an action packed final where a deserving Reubyn Ash was eventually crowned Pro Junior champion.

The Groms had to battle similarly tricky conditions and it was a real test of the young surfers’ water knowledge to find a path through the surging white water.  The final saw a showdown between stars of the future Toby Donache (St Merryn) and Josh Piper (Newquay), with a triumphant Toby Donache finally clinching the win.

A strong women’s field also took to the water on Saturday, with competitors taking the opportunity to paddle out the full 10 minutes allowed before each heat to beat a path through to the larger, cleaner waves rolling through out the back.  In a field full of surfers who have been busy grabbing headlines across the world this winter, there were some excellent displays of power and technical skill by less well known names including Zoe Sheath (Isle of Wight) and Jenny Horbas (Bournemouth), but it was the consistently good Nicole Morgan (Ireland) who took the title, beating Sarah Bentley (St Agnes) to the post in a tense final fought out on the Sunday.

Sunday saw the majority of the battle for the Men’s Open take place in slightly smaller but cleaner waves.   The usual suspects were out in force, top British and Irish surfers who have been raising eyebrows across the surfing world in the past year. 

Last years Saltrock Open winner Sam Lamiroy (Newcastle) advanced confidently through the heats until the semi final where he lost out in tricky conditions.  Alan Stokes (Newquay) surfed well all weekend but was judged to have interfered with Johnny Fryer’s wave in the next semi which effectively ended his challenge for the title, but Mark Egor Harris surfed well and advanced alongside first place Fryer.  There they joined Matt Capel and Joss Ash from Bude who pulled an outstanding air reverse to secure his place in the final.

MENS FINAL RESULTS

All in all The Saltrock Open 2008 was a thoroughly successful and enjoyable event, and a great showcase for British surfing. 

A delighted Ross Thomson of Saltrock was mobbed after the Junior prize giving ceremonies by some extremely stoked groms who were over the moon with their trophies, hinting that British surfing has some seriously committed surfers to look out for in the future.

“Postponing the event was definitely the right decision,” said Ross, a Saltrock Director.  “We saw some great performances this weekend and although the swell dropped off on Sunday afternoon it was a good weekend of surf.”

The Relentless Money Move for the best Aerial of the event went to Reubyn Ash (Bude) who preformed an air reverse in his Pro Junior semi final heat. Reubyn commented “it is great to get this extra award which could also have gone to my brother Joss as he preformed an aerial in the Open semi final”.

 

Many Thanks go to all the sponsors and everyone who participated in the contest, surfers and organisers alike, and here’s looking forward to the next UKPST event the Fat Face Night Surf in June. 

See you there. 

Results:

Open     Womens

1^st Mark Harris (Newquay)             Nicole Morgan (Ireland)

2^nd Matt Capel (South Devon)             Sarah Bentley (St Agnes)

3^rd Joss Ash (Bude)   Jenny Horbas (Bournemouth)

4^th Johnny Fryer (Isle of White)  Hanabeth Luke (St Agnes)

Pro Junior    Under 16 Girls

1^st Reubyn Ash (Bude)   Zoe Sheath (Isle Of White)

2^nd Tom Butler (Newquay)  Lucy Campbell (Woolacombe)

3^rd Toby Donachie (St Merryn)  Harriet Knight (Croyde)

4^th Josh Piper (Newquay)  Jemima Knight (Croyde)

Under 16 Boys    Under 12 Open

1^st Toby Donache (St Merryn)  Ed Smith (Liskeard)

2^nd Josh Piper (Newquay  Dale Foster (Newquay)

3^rd Tom Good (Newquay)  Jack Davies (Newquay)

4^th Alex Baker (Croyde)   Tasman Knight (Croyde)

5^th Max Tucker (Porthcawl)

Relentless Best Aerial:  Reubyn Ash (Bude)

For further information please contact Dave Reed on 01637 854854 or dave@uksurftour.com, also visit the website www.bpsauktour.com

Or Evo Management: martin@evomanagement.co.uk

Rip Curl GromSearch gears-up for first event of series in Porthcawl, South Wales

Its that time of year again folks! The first leg of the Rip Curl Grom Search European surf series kicks-off to the start of the busy contest season running for the 5^th consecutive year at Rest Bay, Porthcawl, Wales on the 19^th 20^th April.

Girl & boy competitors aged between 6 and 16 will arrive on mass to get a taste of competition surfing for the first time or showcase their talents to be in with a chance of winning a place at the UK finals to be held at the Rip Curl Boardmasters 2008 in August.

Rip Curl invites “Groms” of all standards to join in the super friendly surf series that aims to provide a platform for young surfers to experience competition surfing for the first time. Year after year entrants -some as young as 6 years old- have competed in the Grom Search series enabling them to have a taste what its like to surf in a real heat against other kids in the same age group.

Rip Curl also provide coaching and tips to the young competitors and run a special event format which enables each surfer to surf at least twice (conditions permitting) helping give extra confidence to those normally eliminated in the first round.

Rip Curl also expect the highest standard of Under 16 age category surfers to turn out at the events held in Wales, England and Ireland to be in with the chance to represent their country at the UK finals during Europe’s biggest surf, skate and music festival – the Rip Curl Boardmasters.

Winners of the both boys and girls under 16’s division’s will be treated to an all expenses paid trip to Newquay where they will surf against the best from England and Ireland.

Winning the UK finals will see the boy and girl take a massive step in their competition surfing with an all expenses paid trip over to France to compete in the European finals to be held during the Rip Curl Pro, Hossegor later in August.

Rip Curl UK’s team and events manager - James Hendy- said today:

The Rip Curl Grom Search is one of the most important event’s in our portfolio as it he grass roots of surfing and provides an invaluable stepping stone into competition surfing for kids some as young as 6 years old! The event is also a chance for Rip Curl to be able to scout for the best up and coming talent coming from the UK and the rest of Europe. We are expecting a high turn-out of boys and girls of all ages as there are some fantastic prizes on offer and a chance for the winners of the under 16’s category to go on to compete against some of the best young surfers in Europe.

Each entrant will be given a FREE Rip Curl goodie bag complete with event tee shirt and partner goodies.

For entry forms we have put them on a page of the blog so that you can copy, fill out and then post, click here: Junior surfing contest Wales

Wait nearly over for UK surfers as The Saltrock Open cranks up the gears

 

UK Pro Surf Tour (UK PST)

Saltrock Open

Stop No 1 of 9 on 2008 UK PST

Croyde Beach, North Devon

12^th - 13^th April 2008

www.bpsauktour.com

The revised date for The Saltrock Open is approaching fast and it can’t come quickly enough for the stars of UK surfing.

Top names including Alan Stokes, Mark Harris, Nicole Morgan and last year’s Saltrock Open winner Sam Lamiroy are counting the days until the first event of the UK Pro Surf Tour.  Lamiroy, from Newcastle, went on to take the 2007 championship which he added to his 2003 title so is eager to defend his crown and claim his hat trick. Entries for this event have also been received from South Africa, Australia and Brazil.

The Saltrock Open was scheduled to be held over Easter weekend but was postponed due to lack of swell.  Charts are looking much hopeful for the new dates of 12^th – 13^th April so the organisers have everything ready and raring to go.

The event will begin on the morning of 12^th April and the winner should be crowned late afternoon on 13^th.

Relentless energy drink will be not only providing refreshments for all the top athletes competing but also a prize of £250 for the Biggest Aerial of the contest. Christian Surfers will also be onsite providing food for the competitors and raising awareness of Surf Relief UK and their mission to help disadvantaged and disabled children enjoy surfing.

As usual, this year’s contest will be celebrated on Saturday night with a party from 7.30pm in The Manor in Croyde. 

For further information please contact Dave Reed on 01637 854854 or dave@uksurftour.com, also visit the website www.bpsauktour.com

Or Evo Management: martin@evomanagement.co.uk

The Saltrock open cancelled for this weekend and put back to the weekend of 12th - 13th April

The call was made today to postpone The Saltrock Open until the weekend of 12th – 13th April.   

Sadly the charts make dismal reading for the weekend, with just a small wave predicted for Saturday, along with a howling cross-shore wind.  What swell there is will come from the north – the worst direction for Croyde as it often just sails right by.   

So in the spirit of giving the competitors the best chance of a fair competition based on skill rather than that one lucky wave, and giving spectators a proper showcase of our magnificent sport, the UK PST team have decided to reschedule for 12th – 13th April, when hopefully the swell gods will be smiling on us.   

And with top UK surfers Russell Winter, Alan Stokes, Nicole Morgan and defending men’s tour and event champion Sam Lamiroy all fired up and raring to go, it looks set to be well worth the wait.   

For further information please contact Dave Reed on 01637 854854 or dave@uksurftour.com, also visit the website www.bpsauktour.com

Top UK Surfers fly in for The Saltrock Open, UK Pro Surf Tour (UK PST)

Stop No 1 of 9 on 2008 UK PST

Croyde Beach, North Devon

22nd 23rd 24th March 2008

www.bpsauktour.com

The cream of British surfing talent is set to come together in a battle royale of the surf world at The Saltrock Open this Easter weekend.

Household names are all signed up and ready for what’s set to be a fierce battle to take the first title of the year, and set themselves up in pole position for the rest of the tour.
Added to this, the long Easter weekend of 22nd / 23rd / 24th March falls unusually early this year, giving the best chance of some good swell.  The last time Easter was this early, Llewellyn Whittaker stunned the crowds with an epic 10 point tube ride and the swell was the best on the tour.

Russell Winter is sure to draw crowds. Regarded by many as the best British surfer of modern times, Russell has held the English, British and European championship titles during his long and successful surfing career.  He famously once beat Kelly Slater in a 1st round heat at Sunset Beach in Hawaii, and remains the only British surfer to ever break into the elite WCT.  His fantastic career only stalled due to a serious ankle injury suffered at Teahupoo, and he is now back fighting fit and determined to regain his place on the WCT. 

Strong competition will no doubt come from Alan Stokes, winner of the final event of the 2007 Tour and the 2004 Tour Champion.   Alan is a popular face on the tour and always gives a great performance, and with current Champion Sam Lamiroy and former title holders Mark Harris and Reubin Pearce all in the form of their life, the fight for the crown will be real clash of the titans this year.

The Women’s Open is set to be a similarly intense battle, with Irish surfer Nicole Morgan returning from a year in Australia to make her mark back in colder waters.  She will be taking on the likes of Easkey Britton, last year’s winner Karma Worthington and current British Champion Beth Mason.   

The event will kick off early on Saturday 22nd March at Downend Point in Croyde, and the party will be at The Manor from 7.30pm.

For further information please contact Dave Reed on 01637 854854 or dave@bpsauktour.com, also visit the website www.bpsauktour.com

OS Outdoor show at NEC Birmingham see you there

We will all be at stand AS307.
All weekend so come and have a chat with us about outdoor activities new degree courses or the surf on Gower. Look forward to seeing you there.

Juniors set to raise eyebrows at The Saltrock Junior Events

UK Pro Surf Tour (UK PST)

Croyde Beach, North Devon - 22nd 23rd 24th March 2008
www.bpsauktour.com

Young surfers from across the UK will strut their stuff in front of a global audience this Easter as The Saltrock Open comes to Croyde.

Competition will be fierce as the best young surfers in the country battle it out to win the 2* Pro-Juniors Open and the three 1* Grommets categories: Under-12s Open, Under-16 Boys and Under-16 Girls.  The Saltrock Open is the first event on 8 event tour for the Grommets and 1st event on a 3 event tour for the Pro Juniors.

Saltrock is keen to support the development of surfing in the UK, and particularly the advancement in the junior categories.  The standard of junior surfing in the UK has been improving so dramatically, and as a result the UK surf scene is being taken much more seriously across the globe.   

Harry Timson from Newquay won all Under 12 events last year, and this year moves up to the Under 16 to take on the likes of Croyde’s Alex Baker.   Alex was 2007 Tour Champion and winner of Wavelength Most Up and Coming Junior Surfer last year, so we can expect a ferocious battle between the two.  Woolacombe’s golden boy Stuart Campbell, 2006 U16 tour winner and X-Press Yourself Pro Junior Winner 2007 is one of the favourites to take this year’s Pro-Junior title, and Zoe Sheath from the Isle of Wight, a former Under 16 champion is a strong contender in the Ladies Open

The winners of the Pro-Junior will receive £500 prize money, and there is a £100 prize for the winners of each of the Grommets events.

For further information please contact Dave Reed on 01637 854854 or dave@uksurftour.com, also visit the website www.bpsauktour.com

Or Evo Management: martin@evomanagement.co.uk

For more information about Saltrock please contact

Katie Goodfellow

T: 01271 815306

F: 01271 815307

Surfing lessons this Easter and well done to Kathleen Spears and Northcore board riding equipment

Everyone has to start somewhere and the 2008 learn 2 surf surfing season is just about to kick off here on Gower/Swansea with our Easter surf weekend special 3 days for 2 then we have our famous junior surfing academy at Caswell Beach which was used by the likes of Gwen Spurlock and Beth Mason to develop their surfing skills. Our academy has helped produce more surf stars than most here in the Uk. For more info on the easter courses click here: Junior surfing Academy    Easter surf weekend  3 days for 2

Whilst on the subject of top junior surfers here is some good news;

NORTHCORE WELCOMES BRITISH JUNIOR RIDER, KATHLEEN SPEARS TO THE TEAM
Northcore Europe officially announced yesterday the signing of Kathleen Spears joining their surf team as the womens National Team Rider.

Kathleen is a talented young surfer, with a massive to desire to prove her self both in the water and out. She grew up in Croyde in North Devon, with the local beaches and reefs as her training ground, and from a young age she has been training under the watchful eyes of her parents and older brother. Kath has been a part of the British squad since she was 12. In the recent years she has made a name for her self by becoming the youngest Open womens English Champion that there has ever been. She competes full time on the UK Pro Surf Tour and also competes in some WQS and ASP pro juniors along the way. As well as competing Kath manages to fit in a full time College course where she studies surfing and business Cornwall.

In the last few years she has traveled the world with coaching and photo shoots taking her to locations like Hawaii, Dominican Republic, Morocco and more. On these trips she has shown her passion for not backing down from bigger waves and is always pushing her limits. Kathleen is a dedicated young athelete and definately a name to watch out for in the future!

Northcore™ are a British based, European surf & boardriding company with a global outlook.  Northcore only work with the very best people in the industry from riders, right through to our ISO approved manufacturers.  Everything Northcore™ does reflects its roots in hardcore cold water surfing producing tough, practical products and custom surfboards all of exceptional quality, integrity and design. 

For more information visit www.northcore-europe.com or email contact@northcore-europe.com

Surfing picture on front cover of the Telegraph

Ok, it was only in the Travel section but checkout the picture on the front page a female surfer enjoying the Hawaiian surf.

Number 11 out of the top 50 was watching the Pipeline masters (except Dec 2007 which was awful surf!) and number 47 watching winter waves crashing into Waimea Bay. '..you would be missing something if you didn't visit the north shore, where the winter surf is nothing short of awesome..' (p.73, telegraph travel, 2/feb/2008)

The Swansea Metropolitan University surf/marine degree, starting September 2008 will be taking third year students on a work/case study trip to the North shore. As the North Shore and Hawaii is the surfing mecca and described by most in the surf industry as  'the testing ground..'

For more pictures on Pipeline and North shore winter surf click here; swansea surf school flkr