2012 British National Interclubs
“the Best for Years”
Over 130 Surfers from across the country converged on North Devon at the weekend for the 2012 National Interclubs Surf Championships, acclaimed by those attending as “the best for years”. One of Surfing GB’s flagship events, the Interclubs is a grassroots, volunteer led contest that puts Club pride, team spirit and collective achievement above individual performance.
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All photos ©Rob Tibbles
Day one of the event saw competitors strut their stuff at Putsborough Beach and Croyde and Woolacombe’s stranglehold on the honours was under threat from the outset. With determined and impressive surfing from riders representing Boscombe Boardriders, Isle of Wight Surf Club, Atlantic Coast Surf, Truro College, Pembrokeshire Boardriders, Plymouth University, South East Cornwall Surf Club and the RAF boardriders the event was shaping up to be a classic.
In the Women’s division Croyde’s surfers used local knowledge to lock in a clean sweep of four round one heat wins, placing a marker in the ocean for their opponents to challenge in round two. The Junior heats closed out day one and with some of GB’s finest young talents on show the intense rivalry between Truro College and Atlantic Coast Surf was matched by a high level of performance across the board.
Interclubs tradition demands a serious party on Saturday night and 2012 was no exception. Support from Skinners Brewery, the King’s Arms at Georgeham, and Croyde legends the Universe Inspectors, ensured that the clubs were well looked after with tunes, food, and drinks until the wee hours.
Sunday dawned to near perfect conditions for Croyde beach and event organisers called for a move from Putsborough to make the best of the swell and wind. A late night for all contestants had done little to diminish the intensity of the competition, as in keeping with the unique nature of the event we saw some of Britain’s top Pro surfers battling hard against feisty amateurs who revelled with the mouth-watering prospect of giant killing heroics.
As the light faded over Croyde the anticipation built for the awards ceremony and to tumultuous applause the South East Cornwall Open team took the Open division honours. Croyde Women held off an impressive Woolacombe and Plymouth University challenge to claim their Break the Limit Sponsored Women’s division trophy and atlantic Coast Surf Juniors held off Truro College to retain their Junior division trophy from 2011. Finally to the delight of the home crowd the overall British Interclub Champions were Croyde thanks to consistent and impressive surfing by all their teams.
Contest director Matt Knight said: “For Surfing GB this is one of the most important events of the year. Theres a great atmosphere, and a real sense of people coming together to have some fun. Events like these are what make all the hard work worth it for the volunteers”.
Nick Rees, SGB Projects manager said: “Thanks to all the supporters and sponsors, especially Skinners Brewery, Calypso Soft Drinks, Baggy Lodge & Break the Limit who made the event possible, and to Croyde Surf Club for their support in hosting the comp. We’re stoked to have had such a great turnout.”
Next up for Surfing GB is the British Nationals at Fistral on 17th 18th November at Fistral, an event that will also decide the UK pro tour champions this year.
www.surfinggb.com
Nick Rees nick@surfinggb.com
Matt Knight matt@surfinggb.com
FINAL RESULTS
OPEN
1ST: SOUTH EAST CORNWALL SURF CLUB
2ND: CROYDE A
3RD: (TIED) TRURO A & WOOLACOMBE A
WOMENS
1st: CROYDE A
2ND: WOOLACOMBE A
3RD: UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH SURF CLUB
JUNIORS
1ST: ATLANTIC COAST SURF
2ND: TRURO A
3RD: BOSCOMBE BOARD RIDERS A
OVERALL CLUB CHAMPIONS
1ST: CROYDE A
2ND: WOOLACOMBE A
3RD: TRURO A
