Ben Skinner proved to be the surfer in devastating form as he added the British Title to the English title he bagged last week. The Jersey born Newquay resident surfed crisply without error in the onshore and heavy three to four foot surf at Fistral beach over the bank holiday weekend. The weather also played a part and was typically spring like with showers, sunshine and heavy mist; in fact the mist was so bad at one point the contest had to go on hold because the judges couldn’t see the competitors.
Surfers from all over Britain competed in six categories to crown British champions and the only Scottish surfer in the event took the Veterans title, Malcolm Findlay also came third in the Masters division. Welshman Chris Griffiths, surfing his own shaped boards, had an eventful contest, winning the Masters, placing second in the Seniors and reaching the semi finals of the Open division. Local surf coach, Lee Ryan won the Seniors and could have easily made it a double placing third in the Open category.
The Junior division was super competitive as usual but rising star Ben Howarth from North Devon couldn’t budge defending Champion Adam Griffiths from the top spot. Adam from Newqauy, rounded off a successful weekend by making the final of the Open division, he defeated the reigning Champ. Sam Bleakly from Sennen, in the semi’s with one of the few tubes of the contest.
The ever expanding Women’s division was once more dominated by Dominic Kent from Perranporth who took home a Red Stripe longboard for riding the best wave in the female division.
The standard of British Longboarding was upped another notch in the exciting final as Skinner and Welshman Elliott Dudley , who is the current European Champion, traded wave for wave that was watched by a big bank holiday crowd watching from the Red Stripe beach bar.
The BSA wished to thank this year main event sponsors Red Stripe and also surfwear company Headworx who continue their strong commitment to British surfing. While Red Stripe entertained beach-goers with their classy mobile beach bar, Headworx produced limited edition surf clothing to promote the event and offered spectators and competitors the chance to win exclusive prizes at their online shop.
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