Aiden Salmon : photo Courtesy BSA
 

Bodyboard News

Glorious Sun for early rounds of British Bodyboard Nationals

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 October, 2008 : - - Following a late call on contestability, the junior divisions of the Auto-Sleepers British Bodyboard Nationals went ahead in 2-3ft swell and baking sun over the weekend of the 27-28 September at Porthtowan, Cornwall.  The main Open Division was postponed to 1-2 November at the same venue but the decision was taken to proceed with the other categories as competitors had travelled from all over the British Isles to take part in the record-breaking competition.

Saturday saw the Under 14s and Under 16s hit the water early to make the most of the low tide Porthtowan banks.  The 200 plus spectators and competitors saw the groms throw themselves into both the competition and the waist high barrels that the sea threw up.  

The judges were impressed with both the standard in the youngest divisions and the number of scoring rides achieved with the local lads in close competition with a strong contingent from the South Coast in the Under 14s. In the end the diminutive Sam Brabyn found the best waves in the Under 14 final to edge out Harry Smith (2nd) and Lloyd Atherton (3rd) both from Bournemouth, with Ed Sherlock in 4th.

In the Under 16s, hot favourite Luke Brabyn, competing for the last time in this division, found himself up against stiff competition in the form of contest newcomer Stephen Hall. Last year's Under 14 champion Dan 'Stalker' Garton from the Jersey Bodyboard Club was eliminated in the semi-finals by Hall and Gwithian rider Callum Morse, setting up a final with Brabyn and Liam Benney. 

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In the end it was Stephen Hall who pipped Luke Brabyn by the narrowest of margins to secure the title with his last 2 rides of the final. Liam Benney finished 3rd with Callum Morse struggling to reproduce his form in the early rounds 4th.

The decision was taken to call an early end to Day 1 of the competition and the Blue Bar provided a welcome haven for competitors and spectators alike.  The evening's entertainment comprised a bodyboard DVD Premiere and live band with Corona beer promotion.

Sunday saw a better pulse of swell come through, and the Under 18s were the first to hit the water.  The pick of the day's waves were in the early rounds which saw defending champion Dave Speller throw a nice tweaked invert to impress the judges and aid his progression through to the final.  He was joined by Nathan Thompson and hot from their success in the Under 16s, Luke Brabyn and Stephen Hall. 

Channel Islander Speller again proved why he is a strong bet for a placing in the World Surfing Games by taking the Under 18 crown again. Brabyn this time turned the tables on Hall as they finished 2nd and 3rd respectively with Nathan Thompson edged into 4th place.

The Women's division was the strongest for some time with the experienced Gemma Brittan from St Agnes clinching first place ahead of last year's victor Clemmie Hardy with some strong spins and rolls.  Olivia Smedley and Jasmine O'Shea in their first competitive appearances, gained valuable contest experience finishing in 3rd and 4th spots.

The Seniors (over 28s) drew a line-up that was a 'who's who' of the British scene over the last decade.  Danny Catten, Damien Prisk, Eldred Hawke and Bjorn Storey made the final from a strong early round field. In the end it was reigning Open champion Prisk who clinched the title ahead of Storey, Hawke and Catten. 

The Masters (Over 35s) run for the first time in 2008, was an epic contest with the 5-man final comprising of Catten and Hawke, along with Jersey locals Colin Crowther and Simon Watkins and 2006 Senior champion Alasdair Newby.  In the end, Eldred Hawke's aerial moves were enough to narrowly clinch his first National title, ahead of Catten, Crowther, Watkins and Newby.

The International division attracted entries from Australia, New Zealand, France, Portugal, South Africa, and the Canaries.  In the final, Kiwi Aiden Dixon proved too much for Australian Ben Hughes and Portuguese Eduardo Afonso; with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places staying that way.

The small swell was perhaps most challenging for the Drop-Knee division, with the consequence that above-the-lip moves were rare and the semi-final saw Darren Halse (currently second on the world IBA Drop-Knee tour), eliminated.  A hotly contested final saw Aiden Salmon clinch his first UK title ahead of Remy Geffroy (2nd). Last year's champion Porthtowan local Alex Winkworth came in 3rd with Plymouth's Danny Wall in 4th.

Organisers the British Surfing Association (BSA) and British Bodyboard Club would like to thank generous main sponsors The Auto-Sleepers Group, along with divisional sponsors Alder Wetsuits, Bradfords Building Supplies, SUSO Drinks, Smith & Williamson, Reveller Clothing, The Beach Hotel Porthtowan, ThreeSixty and Sick Lame and Lazy. The input of sub-sponsors The Blue Bar, Seasmith Images and Corona is also greatly appreciated. he rescheduled main Open event will take place at Porthtowan on 1st and 2nd November. 

ThreeSixty Under 14:
1. Sam Brabyn
2. Harry Smith
3. Lloyd Atherton
4. Ed Sherlock

The Beach Hotel Under 16:
1. Stephen Hall
2. Luke Brabyn
3. Liam Benney
4. Callum Morse

SUSO Drinks Under 18:
1. Dave Speller
2. Luke Brabyn
3. Stephen Hall
4. Nathan Thompson

Reveller Womens:
1. Gemma Brittan
2. Clemmie Hardy
3. Olivia Smedley
4. Jasmine O'Shea

Smith & Williamson DK:
1. Aiden Salmon
2. Remy Geffroy
3. Alex Winkworth
4. Danny Wall

Alder Wetsuits Seniors:
1. Damien Prisk
2. Bjorn Storey
3. Eldred Hawke
4. Danny Catten

Sick Lame & Lazy Masters:
1. Eldred Hawke
2. Danny Catten
3. Colin Crowther
4. Simon Watkins
5. Alasdair Newby

Bradfords Building Supplies International:
1. Aiden Dixon (New Zealand)
2. Ben Hughes (Australia)
3. Eduardo Alfonso (Portugal) 

www.britsurf.co.uk

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About the British Surfing Association
The British Surfing Association is the only National Governing Body for Surfing in Great Britain and the Channel Islands. It is a non-profit Association run by Surfers for Surfers.

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