| Stand Up Paddle Surfing |
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| Monday, 08 October 2007 | |
  The UK’s first ever Stand Up Paddle Surfing Championships held at Watergate Bay at the end of September was a resounding success.Held in sunny, 2-3ft glassy swell, the event , sponsored by Errant Surf Holidays, Starboard and the Extreme Academy, proved perfect for a historical day in UK surfing. Competitors from all over the country and as far away as Barbados turned up to compete in two disciplines - Surf and Distance. The surf was perfect for Stand Up Paddle Surfing and this allowed everybody to get out and ride some perfect set waves. As the heats progressed it was obvious who was hungry for the title. Brian Talma from Barbados was pushing aside jet lag to catch some very stylish rides. Local hot shot Adam Zervas was revelling in the conditions, pulling off some stylish cut backs. Head Lifeguard from Watergate Bay Lewis Timson showed his S.U.P skills with some fluid nose rides and great wave selection in the low tide sets. But two times European longboard champ Elliott Dudley was a man on a mission and got some of the longest rides of the day. The final was dominated by two riders Elliot Dudley and Lewis Timson. Both showing their own style and approach to wave riding. They both rode some long waves to challenge for the top spot. In the end it was Elliot's nose rides that saw him take the top spot but Lewis' drop knee turns brought him within a whisker of stealing the title from Elliot's grasp. Third place went to Brain Talma from Barbados who was keeping the crowds entertained with his colourful Bajan style on and off the water. His familiar cry of "Action" could be heard all over the beach. The ladies saw Lucy Howell dominate ahead of Theresa Thomson in second and Marie Buchanan in third and the youngest contestant Charlotte Emsden in fourth. The Distance paddle was a gruelling affair and was dominated by four riders. Ozzy Dave Monaghan, Timo Mullen, John Hibbard and Neal Gent. These four pulled out a healthy lead ahead of the chasing pack. It was Ozzy Dave who eventually stroked out ahead on his own to claim the win with Timo following being by 100 meters. By the finish line John Hibbard and Neal Gent were locked in their own private battle and only two meters separated them at the finish line. John somehow managed to find a final burst of energy to pip Neal into third place. Marie Buchanan came in ahead of Mel Shiplee in the ladies. Aside from all the battles at the top of the rankings it was an amazing day. Great weather, happy spectators, happy contestants all topped of with a few pints of Skinners beer! Bookmark this item              |