TOUGH COMPETITION AT THE BRITISH INTERCLUB SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The winning Newquay A Team
L-R: Tom Butler, Sean Harris, Russell Winter, Ben Baird, Gareth Llewellyn, Jamie/Jenson Owen
Photo: Ralph Rutter / Event Media

Challenging 4-6 foot storm surf rolled onto Cornwall’s Fistral Beach this weekend for the British Interclub Surfing Championships 2007. Eight teams of six surfers from all over the country made their way to Newquay to compete in the biggest club event in the British surfing calendar. Two rounds of four man heats were run, giving each of the 48 surfers two chances to earn team points. No individual honours were at stake.

An intense competition ensued, but there was just no stopping defending champions, the Newquay A team. With a line-up consisting of Russell Winter, Gareth Llewellyn, Ben Baird, Jamie Owen, Tom Butler and Sean Harris, it was always going to be tough for the rest. Only one point was dropped on route to victory, with Russell Winter, Ben Baird and Gareth Llewellyn particularly impressive.

Russell Winter - Photo: Ralph Rutter / Event Media

Newquay B pipped Langland A to second, thanks in part to some great surfing from all-rounder Ben Skinner.

Karen Walton, National Director of the BSA, says, “The Interclub 2007 event was brilliant fun as it always is, and with great waves everyone was able to perform to their very best. There was some truly excellent surfing and the competition was beyond intense. It was so tight throughout and we congratulate Newquay A Team on taking the title again. The high level of participation plus everyone’s enthusiasm for the event just goes to show how much is going on in the British club scene and it’s great to see everyone getting together like this. We’ve recently announced major funding for a new Sport England Regional Surf Development Coach and as a result, we expect that next year’s event will be even bigger and more hotly contested.”

RESULTS:

Newquay A - 59
Newquay B - 46
Langland A - 46
Porthleven - 43
Woolacombe - 39
Wessex A - 35
Langland B - 35
Wessex B - 33

Ends
Issued on behalf of the British Surfing Association by Excess EneRGy Communications. For further information, photography or interviews please contact Kirsty Spencer on kirsty@excessenergycomms.com or 07816 366859 or Rhona Gardiner on Rhona@excessenergycomms.com 07740 410052.