Young Cornish surfers competed in epic swell at Godrevy for the opening event of the South to South Frostbite Series.

With peeling A frame waves in the four to six foot range, and a contingent of many of the region's top junior surfers, the atmosphere on the beach was electric.

The under 16’s were first in and all showed great competitive courage with 13 yr old Ryan Riley expressing the thoughts of many of his co-competitors. “That was so heavy. If it wasn't for the contest, there's no way that I'd have gone in today."

The more seasoned youngsters were however relishing the conditions, and the four emerging finalists in the 16 and under category were Jack Butler and George Picking from Newquay, Bert Wright from Penzance and Morgan Bushe from St Agnes.

From the start the contest was really between British Junior team member, Jack Butler and Morgan Bushe. With two solid rides in difficult shifty low-tide conditions Jack snuck it by less than one point.

The standard of surfing in the 18 and unders was consistently high. Radical moves on solid reeling faces were definitely what the judges were looking for and they weren't disappointed. Jack Butler had made the final of the 18's as well as the 16's, and was joined by his brother Tom, fellow British Junior team member Lyndon Wake from Croyde, and Marcus Lascelles from St Agnes.

The final was a hard fought affair in very difficult conditions, but this time it was to be the Aggie surfer that came out on top. Again the gap between first and second was a mere point with Tom Butler having to make do with the runner-up slot behind a solid Marcus Lascelles.

Despite the icy wind, the aptly titled South to South Frostbite Series was a resounding success. The series consists of three, one-day contests, for surfers in categories 16 and under, and 18 and under, and based on the best two results, the top four surfers from the series will compete in a mobile Grand Final. They will be taken to the best waves available on the day, be it Porthleven, Bude or Aggie, to battle for the chance to win a lucrative sponsorship deal with event sponsors, South to South. The package will include two seasonal clothing packs, photo shoots, and a vital stepping stone onto a future surfing career.

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