The second stop of the 2024 Caravan and Motorhome Club English National Surfing Championships took place on Saturday, May 18th, at the iconic surf spot Watergate Bay. The event showcased the best of young surfing talent and the dynamic Men and Women Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Surfers divisions. With a fun 2-foot of surf providing ideal conditions that held up all day, the stage was set for an exciting and memorable contest.
Although the sun didn’t stay out for too long, dryrobe’s were on, and the crowd stayed to cheer on their favourite surfers, as competitors battled it out to be crowned the 2024 English National Surfing Champions!
Junior Surfing Talent Shines in Perfect Conditions
Under 12 Boys Division:
Although surfing over the more challenging high tide conditions, the U12 competitor Tommy Hamilton dominated the boys’ round 1, with the highest wave total score of 11.93. The final was intensely close, but Harvey Waters emerged victorious, earning him the title of U12 boys English National Surfing Champion.
Under 12 Girls Division:
The girls’ U12 heats were nothing short of spectacular, with Ellie Hickie dominating throughout the contest. Ellie achieved the highest single wave score of the entire shortboard contest across all divisions, with a massive 8.33! This “excellent” score on the judging scale underscores the incredible talent within English surfing, securing Ellie a well-deserved win in the U12 girls shortboard division.
Under 14 Boys Division:
Round 1 of the U14 boys saw Noah Cerne take the highest total wave score, shortly followed by Harley Miller who’s performance stood out in the quarters, posting the highest combined total score of all the shortboard divisions with an impressive 13.83. The final promised to be thrilling, with four outstanding surfers charging hard for the title. Ultimately, it was Noah Cerne who clinched the U14 boys English National Surfing Champion title.
Under 14 Girls Division:
In round 1 of the Under 14 girls, Lila Skinner received the highest wave total score of 14.33, setting her sites early for the National title. In the final round, Coco Arthur was hot on Lila’s heels but to no avail as Lila took the well-deserved title.
All competitors did an outstanding job of showcasing their surfing skills. Their stamina and determination were evident, and they should all be incredibly proud of their achievements. The future of English surfing looks incredibly bright, with these young talents poised to match and exceed their international rivals.
Stand-Up Paddle Surfers Display Skill and Stamina
The Men and Women Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Surfers divisions added a unique and exciting element to the day’s events. Competitors paddled out with determination, navigating the waves with skill and agility.
Women’s SUP Division:
In the Women’s SUP final, Christina Doviak delivered an impressive performance, achieving a combined wave total of 11.17 and securing victory over runner-up Sarah Perkins. Considering the smaller contestable waves, Christina impressed all with her sharp turns and flow across the small wave faces.
Men’s SUP Division:
In the men’s SUP division, Marcio Dias was outstanding from start to finish. He dominated each heat, recording the highest single wave score of the entire contest at 8.67 and the highest combined total of 15.50, securing his well-earned first-place finish.
A Celebration of Camaraderie and Fun
One of the standout features of the day was the exceptional camaraderie displayed by competitors of all ages. The friendly and supportive atmosphere added to the enjoyment of the event, fostering a sense of community among surfers and spectators alike.
The Decathlon Games area was a big hit, providing entertainment and activities for both groms and adults. The interactive zone offered a variety of fun challenges with cricket, beach football, and bounce ball, further enhancing the family-friendly atmosphere of the championship.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the achievements of these talented surfers, we look forward to the next stages of the 2024 Caravan and Motorhome Club English National Surfing Championships. The spirit of competition and camaraderie witnessed today promises an exciting continuation of the series.
Our Support and Gratitude for all involved – A Heartfelt Thank You
The success of this event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our headline sponsor of 10 years, Caravan and Motorhome Club for their invaluable contribution. All helped make this championship a memorable and thrilling experience for all involved.
We would like to say a big thank you to all involved. A huge thank you to all surfers, supporters, media team, judges and event team for being a part of this epic weekend. A big congratulations also to our Contest Director, Ester Spears, who excelled in his role throughout the contest. It was a phenomenal weekend for English Surfing, and we cannot wait for the next one!
FULL RESULTS
U12 Boys Shortboard
1 – Harvey Waters 2 – Bobby Wilkinson 3 – Zeek Streeter 4 – Tommy Hamilton
U12 Girls Shortboard
1 – Ellie Hickie 2 – Betsie Reay 3 – Arabella Peres 4 – Mila Barber
U14 Boys Shortboard
1 – Noah Cerne 2 – Jensen Martin 3 – Joshi James 4 – Evan Dakin
U14 Girls Shortboard
1- Lila Skinner 2 – Coco Arthur 3 – Hazel Bennett 4 – Annie Nicholls
Women’s SUP Open
1- Christina Margaret Alecha Doviak 2 – Sarah Perkins 3 – Sammy Antwis 4 – Emily Earp
Men’s SUP Open
1- Márcio França Dias 2 – William Fairey 3 – John Hiscock 4 – Matthew Earp
As we wrap up this exhilarating day of surfing action, we invite everyone to mark their calendars for our upcoming event: The Rip Curl Grom Search at Fistral beach Newquay, 15th – 16th June (back-up date of 22nd – 23rd June)
Join us once again as we showcase the incredible young talent within our surfing community. This event is a great platform to showcase the rising stars of English surfing in our U12, U14 and U16 shortboard divisions.
Find out more about the Rip Curl Grom Search HERE
OUR PARTNERS
Thank you to our fantastic headline partners Caravan and Motorhome Club. And to our amazing partners korev Lager, The Wave, dryrobe, Decathlon, Clarke Willmott, Vospers MuscleFood, Experience Freedom and The Hangout Watergate Bay.
A huge thank you to CG Safety Cover for the lifeguard and first aid support. And to Watergate Bay for hosting us.
OUR MEMBERSHIP
Inspired by what you’ve seen and read, and keen to support English Surfing. New members are always welcome to join us! Junior membership is just £18/year and Adult membership £25. Find out about the benefits and sign up here.
CONTACT US
For any Events enquiries, please contact lauren@surfingengland.org
For any general enquiries, please contact info@surfingengland.org
