Stand Up Paddle Surf Contest a Success
Stand up paddle surfers from accross the country competed in the second round of a national series of events held at at Gwithian Beach in Cornwall over the weekend of 14-15 June.
The event organised by the British Stand Up Paddle Association (BSUPA) was split into two sections – surf and distance.
On the Saturday competitors faced small surf and cross shore winds and the first heats proceeded throughout the morning. The first heat to compete was the Juniors category, aged 6 years (Blue Ewer) up to 16 (Bobbie Cooper), with Connor Griffiths winning the round.
The next heat out on the water was the ladies round which was won by Marie Buchannan and in second position Annabelle Ewer.
The Open heats for the men’s competition – 8 four man heats – were completed with the top two of each heat going through to the next round.
Although the performances were not spectacular because of the conditions, the top riders proved they could ride really well in the small surf – Chris ‘Guts’ Griffiths, John Hibbard, Neal Gent, Elliott Dudley and Tim Mellors all stood out in their individual heats.
A distance event was organised for the end of the day which was held close to the shore just outside the surf line the first distance was a short sprint with the usual battle between Neal Gent and John Hibbard.
Elliot Dudley (European Longboard Champ) proved his level of fitness by coming second in the first heat. Mark “the bull” Slater powered his place into third position with a solid finish.
The Ladies and Juniors did the same distance and put in a good effort with Marie Buchanan coming first in the Ladies and Bobby Cooper coming first in the Juniors.
On Saturday night, Sunset Surf hosted a great party with plenty of excellent food, drinks and tunes at their café on the beach.
On Sunday morning the waves were too small, so the event started with distance which seemed to be a repeat of the previous day’s results and a pretty solid warm up for the rest of the day’s wave heats.
The wave heats were started as soon as the distance event finished and again in the small surf conditions were far from easy. After another four heats and two semi final rounds the final was made up of Neal Gent, Elliott Dudley, Chris Griffiths and John Hibbard.
With the incoming tide and the contest run just below the cliffs it was great viewing of the four finalists as they commenced the heat. Chris Griffiths started his heat well with some stylish rides, John Hibbard took the approach of taking every wave he could while Neal Gent and Elliott Dudley stood out back waiting for the better waves. The event was won by Chris Guts Griffiths, with Neal Gent in second, John Hibbard third and Elliot Dudley fourth.
Simon Bassett, BSUPA event director, said: “This event was a great success. It was great to see everyone from 6-year-old kids to the current European Longboard champion competing at one event. The conditions were far from perfect but the event had a great atmosphere.”
The contest was sponsored by Sunset Surf Nautilus, Starboard, Onfire, C-Skins, Liquid Vision, Prosport Sunscreen, Skinners Brewery, Surf Drops and Jolly’s drinks.
The next event is on the Isle of Wight – the Wight Air Festival on the 20-21 September.
Results :
Wave Results
Mens Open
1 Chris “Guts “ Griffiths
2 Neal Gent
3 John Hibbard
4 Elliot Dudley
Ladies
1 Marie Buchannon
2 Annabel Ewer
3 Claire Blacklock
4 Mel Chambers
Junior
1 Connor Griffiths (age 11)
2 Bobby Cooper (age 16)
3 Holly Bassett (age 10)
4 Blue Ewer (age 6)
Distance Results (out of two heats)
Mens Open
1 John Hibbard
2 Elliot Dudley
3 =Neal Gent
Mark Slater
5 Chris “guts” Griffiths
Ladies
1 Marie Buchannon
2 Anabel Ewer
3 Claire Blacklock
4 Mel Chambers
Juniors
1 Bobby Cooper
2 Holly Bassett
For information on surfing in Cornwall and Cornwall surf schools , see our surfing page.
