Junior Surfers representing 34 Schools from around the UK & Channel Islands relished a weekend of sunshine, waves and interschool rivalry in the beautiful settings of North Cornwall’s, Bude over the weekend.
The event was postponed from its earlier date in late May due to the lack of waves, the disappointment of which for contest organisers Surfing GB and the UK Pro Surf Tour soon diminished when good weather and contestable conditions soon filtered onto the forecasts. As the sun set on Friday evening the high tide Widemouth Bay peaks were packed full of youngsters, whilst the car park was lined with parents enjoying the social scene, the atmosphere was setting for the weekend and it was building up to be a cracker.
2-3ft glassy conditions greeted Surfers at the start of competition on Saturday, but with spring tides in the equation the conditions were set to change. Boys U18’s powered through their first heats with impressive surfing giving heat wins for Dale Foster, Harry De Roth, Max Payne & Rhys Barfield. U16 and U14 boys soon entered the water with local lad Kit Innes representing Budehaven showing local knowledge and an impressive command of the waves to take heat wins in both divisions. The conditions toughened towards low tide with spring low slap bang in the middle of the day and lifeguards battling with rip currents, but the surfers battled through and as the tide turned and pushed the optimism flowed back in with the tide.
Emily Currie
The girls U14’s and 16’s showed promise with another local Ellie Turner representing Bude Haven again showcasing local knowledge and solid surfing to take heat wins in both divisions. Conditions continued to improve through the afternoon giving top surfers such as current English and Welsh Champions Emily Currie and Emily Williams victories in their heats. The atmosphere of the classic British summers evening filtered throughout the beach with bbq’s and music, whilst beach goers enjoyed the final heats of the day and the U18 boys took on the high tide wedge style shorey. As the judges finally pealed themselves off their seats after 9.5hrs of Surfing it was safe to say that today was a good day and the question was raised, what will tomorrow bring?.
Stanley Norman
After the excitement and heat of day 1, Sunday morning was a relaxed affair. An early morning California vibe was to be felt in the scenery of Widemouth, a slight haze amongst the cliffs and rolling lines reaching the shore to create 2-3ft peeling waves. The business end of the event commenced soon into the morning following the final running of the U14 boys heats as massive entries were seen through all categories but specifically U14 & U16 boys.
Jack Unsworth
The longboarders kicked off the finals as the tide continued to drop with Emily Currie taking the win & Jack Unsworth showing flow and style to take the victory for Northam School. Ellie Turner continued her form into the final and secured the u14 girls title whilst also representing Budehaven Kit Innes pipped fellow Bude resident Stanley Norman to take the U14 boys title. Micha Maguire of Tretherras School performed well taking 2nd in both U14 & U16 girls, however again taking maximum points for Budehaven was Ellie Turner. U16 boys was a close battle with Angus Scotney, Harry De Roth and Alex Gibson surfing well but struggling to find the waves in the poor low tide conditions, Max Payne managed to use his waves wisely and took the title for Wadebridge School.
Kit Innes
With the Surf still struggling to provide the goods, staff at the event offered the U18 girls the chance to go on hold and wait for the pushing tide, but the girls decided to take on the challenge which saw Emily Williams, Ellen Harding and Georgie Timson battle to find the scores but again Emily Currie found the waves needed to take the title. U18 boys made interesting viewing as the larger surfers of the event took on some of the smaller waves seen throughout, however Rhys Barfield, Max Payne, Dale Foster and Angus Scotney battled it out blow for blow, with Angus eventually securing the win and the maximum points for Tretherras School.
Angus Scotney
With 5 champions it is clear to see that Budehaven Community College is developing youth to fantastic success, taking the well deserved 2014 Calypso British Schools Surf Championship title.
Thanks for all the staff, surfers, parents, spectators and all who contributed to making a memorable event.
Thanks also to Calypso for making the event possible, and Acer technology, POSCA pens, Offsure Insurers, Surfdome.com for their ongoing support, also Elements Hotel, Adams Surfboards, Pommie Grommet and Beach Bum for their divisional sponsorship.
Team
1 – Budehaven Community College, Bude.
2 – Tretherras School, Newquay.
3 – Les Quennnevais Schools, Jersey.
4 – Kingsbridge School, South Devon.
U18 BOYS sponsored by Adams Surfboards
1 – Angus Scotney (tretherras)
2 – Dale Foster (tretherras)
3 – Max Payne (wadebridge)
4 – Rhys Barfield (wadebridge)
U18 GIRLS
1 – Emily Currie (budehaven)
2 – Georgie Timson (tretherras)
3 – Ellen Harding (kingsbridge)
4 – Emily Williams (ygg)
U16 BOYS sponsored by Elements Hotel Bude
1 – Max Payne (wadebridge)
2 – Harry de Roth (st.ives)
3 – Angus Scotney (tretherras)
4 – Alex Gibson (ilfracombe)
U16 girls
1 – Ellie Turner (budehaven)
2 – Mischa Maguire (tretherras)
3 – Isobel Evans (ygyc)
4 – Rosalie longman (tretherras)
U14 BOYS sponsored by Beach Bum
1 – Kit Innes (Budehaven)
2 – Stanley Norman (budehaven)
3 – Noah Capps (Kingsbridge)
4 – Finn Collins (tretherras)
U14 GIRLS sponsored by Pommie Grommet
1 – Ellie Turner (budehaven)
2 – Micha Maguire (tretherras)
3 – Esme French (ilfracombe)
4 – Isobel Evans (ygyc)
U18 boys longboard
1 – Jack unsworth (northam)
2 – Mattheiu Tweedie (lqs)
3 – Jordan Zervas (tretherras)
U18 girls longboard
1 – Emily Currie (bude)
2 – Beth Wallace (bude)
3 – Isobel Evans (ygyc)
4 – Mischa Maguire (tretherras)
