Skinner Wins in Europe
Cornish longboarder Ben Skinner topped another successful year with a victory at the final European Longboard Tour contest in Portugal in December.
The longboarding legend won the contest for the second year running in pumping five foot waves and offshore winds creating beautiful, hollow righthanders in Praia Santa Amaro.
The victory rounds off a great year in 2008 for the Newquay surfer who was crowned British champion in Jersey earlier this year.
Skinner had been the powerful standout during throughout the European contest and didn’t crack during the final against fellow countryman Adam Griffiths and French heroes Antoine Delperro and Rémy Arauzo.
As defending champion he showed no fear in this final, getting the best waves and scoring 15 points out of a possible 20.
But sadly the win wasn’t enough to secure tour title, which went to Rémy Arauzo. Skindog had to make do with third place overall with Cornish compatriots Adam Griffiths, Sam Bleakley and James Parry finishing just behind him. The four surfers proved that longboard surfing in Cornwall is stronger than ever.
