WORLD BEATING KNEEBOARDERS PREPARE FOR THULE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Britain’s kneeboarding team made a name for itself at the Kneeboard World Championships in Santa Cruz, California earlier this year. Newquay’s Jody Winter claimed the Ladies World Champion title, with Natalie Silverthorne from Polzeath runner up, and Richard Smith, also from Polzeath, became Pro Junior World Champion. Now the medal winners will all be competing on a local break as Fistral Beach, Newquay, hosts Thule British Kneeboard Championships this Saturday.

Karl Ward at the World Championships in California earlier this year. Photo: Skye Stevenson

Highly ranked kneeboarders are expected to attend from Australia, South Africa and Portugal as well as from across the UK. Karl Ward of St Ives, who finished 7th in the Men’s Open at the World Championships, is a hot favourite for this event. Karl and the other competitors will be looking to put knee boarding firmly on the map with its stand up surfing and bodyboarding cousins.

Karen Walton, National Director of the British Surfing Association (BSA) said, “The British team really set the standard out in California and have gone from strength to strength. Kneeboarding as a sport is growing year-on-year across the UK and these British Championships give everyone involved a chance to really pit themselves against the best from across the UK and further afield. The kneeboarders are such a friendly, fun bunch so with a mix of awesome riding and a great vibe, the Championships are set to be a spectacular event.”

The contest is jointly run by the BSA and the BKC (British Kneelo Club). Chris Cockett and Tony Bonner at Kneeboard Surfing UK, the leading suppliers of kneeboards and accessories have joined forces with top sponsor Thule to provide the prizes.

To find out more about kneeboarding check out www.kneeboardsurfing.co.uk and www.kneelo.org.

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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.