The 2013 POSCA British National Surf Championships
“British titles decided in electrifying weekend of challenging championship surf”
The UK’s competitive surf scene showed its prowess at the most challenging and electrifying championships in years over the weekend, as The 2013 POSCA British National Surf Championships went off in typically British style.
As entry levels soared, any records for previous event participations were shattered as surfers from throughout the UK, Europe and as far as Bali and Mexico descended upon Fistral Beach, Newquay with the dreams and goals of National success firmly in the forefront of their ambitions. ‘This event continues to grow and gain momentum, it’s astounding and inspiring to see such a spectrum of ages come together for a celebration of surfing like this’ said Head of Christian Surfers/Surfing GB director Phil Williams. Event organisers at Surfing GB (SGB) and The UK Pro Surf Tour (UKPST) harnessed this enthusiasm and set about creating an event and platform worthy of awarding prestigious British titles upon. The event would also see the crowning of the UKPST tour champions at the final tour stop of 2013, however Mother Nature had a few tricks up her sleeve.
Will Bailey - Tom Butler 4-6ft waves and moderate offshore winds greeted competitors at Fistral Beach for day 1 of the 3 day championships and competition soon got underway with the Men’s open divisions fiercely battling out in front of the growing crowds. The UK’s best Surfers showed off their impressive range of abilities as the barrels spat and airs were thrown and surfers set their eyes on the prize. Emotions ran high and crucial showdowns played out in the waves like a well written drama and the Men’s open progressed all the way through to the completion of the Semi-finals in pumping high tide conditions. The women’s open division also put on a show and undoubtedly inspired the next generation of grommy girls as they watched in ore. Spectators and surfers alike were also kept entertained by sponsors POSCA who were on hand with their creative pen collections for cap & board designs, as the creative nature of those attending seeped out in a flow of unique colours and creation.
Day 2 kicked off in 3-4ft cross shore conditions and the Masters surfers rose to the challenge as stylish cutbacks and flowing turns could be seen throughout. Around mid-morning as the sun shone brightly and the musical delights of the Redbull DJ’s echoed around the beach an ominous weather front appeared on the horizon and then struck with intense ramifications. Conditions rapidly changed as the wind transformed into to a gusty 30-40mph onshore Westerly, competition was put on hold and relocated to nearby by Tolcarne Beach. Conditions at Tolcarne were fun with 2-3ft waves and a brisk wind and competition resumed, however Mother Nature had further plans for the storm and it progressed into 70-80mph driving wind and rain and swells peaking around the 15-20ft range causing competition to be put on hold until 8am on day 3.
Will Bailey - Keshia Eyre
8am on Day 3 of the championships came and went as conditions were still unsafe for competition and disappointingly The Under 12’s Open and Boys/Girls Under 14’s divisions were all postponed until a later date. Organisers and surfers alike eagerly anticipated forecast improvements in conditions and right on time for the 11am call the conditions changed and Surfers entered the water for the remaining heats and finals! An incredible afternoon of competitive surfing then unfolded in front of the Judges eyes with National titles & the Pro Tour Champions being decided in Tolcarne’s 3-4ft clean wedge style waves. Across the age groups, high octane performances, fuelled by soaring levels of stoke, saw aerials, new school turns and old school carves keeping the judges on their toes in the frenetic, action packed heats.
Progressive technical surfing saw St.Ives’ Harry De Roth and Croyde’s Peony Knight take the Under 16’s titles. Under 18’s titles saw two young surfers with bright futures ahead confirm their surfing intentions as Jobe Harris and Keshia Eyre took the crowns for their respective divisions. The P20 Pro Junior was a tightly contested battle that eventually saw an inform Luke Dillon use his local knowledge to earn the win. The seniors division saw a significant rise in entry levels, meaning that competition was high and in the end Bude’s Mike Raven used his mature yet progressive skills to take a well-deserved win. The Masters division again saw an increased entry level and Jersey’s Scott Eastwood confidently took the title. The veterans division was closely contested but local Roger Knight used his impressive power to get the scores and earn the win.
Will Bailey - Alan Stokes
The Women’s division finalists battled hard in the testing conditions and but Keshia Eyre successfully defended her 2012 title and added the prestigious 2013 trophy to the collection. The Men’s open was a truly dramatic final in which Portugal’s Luis Eyre struggled to piece together the scores he needed to take the British and UKPST titles, opening the door for local lad and defending champion Alan Stokes who fought off the challenge of Russell Winter and Jobe Harris to take both The British Championships title and earn the points needed to pip Luis to the 2013 UKPST victory. “Taking the titles in that fashion was just incredible, the support I’ve received was inspiring leading to that final and having my lucky charm Nan there to cheer me on made it even more special” said Champion Alan Stokes.
Surfing GB and The UKPST would like to thank POSCA for sponsoring the event along with Calypso Soft Drinks, Offsure Insurance, Redbull, P20 Once a day sun protection, Adam’s Surfboards, SNUGG wetsuits, Beach Bum, 110% Surfing Techniques for their support and enabling the event to operate. For additional event enquiries contact SGB Operations Manager Nick Rees on [email protected]
RESULTS
Under 16 Girls
1st – Peony Knight 2nd – Emily Williams 3rd – Flora Lawton 4th – Emily Currie
Under 16 Boys (Supported by Beach Bum)
1st – Harry De Roth 2nd – Rhys Barfield 3rd – Joe Harding 4th – Jack Verbraeken
Under 18 Girls (Supported by SNUGG Wetsuits)
1st – Keshia Eyre 2nd – Ellen Harding 3rd – Flora Lawton 4th – Jadie Lowe
Under 18 Boys (Supported by Adams Surfboards)
1st – Jobe Harris 2nd – Gearoid McDaid 3rd – Harry De Roth 4th – Rhys Barfield
P20 Pro Junior
1st – Luke Dillon 2nd – Jobe Harris 3rd – Miles Lee Hargreaves 4th – Josh Braddock
Seniors
1st – Mike Raven 2nd – James Mitchell 3rd – Scott Eastwood 4th – Joel Gray
Masters
1st – Scott Eastwood 2nd – Paul Kirby 3rd – Mark Vaughan 4th – Mike Raven
Veterans
1st – Roger Knight 2nd – Tony Good 3rd – Mark Oliver 4th – Anthony Kilday 5th – Andy Sturt
Women’s Open
1st – Keshia Eyre 2nd – Lucy Campbell 3rd – Peony Knight 4th – Hannah Harding
Men’s Open
1st – Alan Stokes 2nd – Russell Winter 3rd – Jobe Harris 4th – Luis Eyre
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