British National Surf Interclubs

Downend, Croyde
3 - 4 October 2009

Interclubs Runs in Storm Surf!

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 5 October, 2009 : - - Strong winds coming from the Irish Sea made for challenging conditions on Saturday, when the Tiki sponsored BSA British National Interclubs was held at Croyde Bay.  Contest hosts Croyde Surf Club had agonised over the decision to run the event with such a poor forecast.  But in the end the call was made to go, on the basis that: “if we’re going to surf blown- out junk it might as well be big blown out- junk”

Thankfully the tents and marquees didn’t blow away, and with heavy rain squalls passing to the North and South, the surfers were left to cope with 20 minute paddle outs in the maelstrom of white water.

First up were the groms, with u-10, u-12 and u-14s in the water, bravely rising to the challenge. Despite a strong presence from Polzeath club Surfs UP and with teams from  Wales and  Woolacombe also vying for honours the Croyde locals took the win. Team captain, Alastair Deswert, lifting the Trophy in front of a large crowd of cheering supporters. Standout performances from Charlie Crane, Flora Lawton and Billy Ashford sealed the victory.

In the Ladies Division Croydes’ A and B teams were left to battle for honours un-opposed after no-shows from Cornwall and Wessex; with  the A team emerging triumphant – Andrea Lawrence, Karma Worthington, and sisters Jemima and Harriet Knight in the medals. Surfed through Low tide the girls had some of the most challenging conditions to deal with and some epic rides were made through the chaotic shore dump.

With the tide pushing hard and overhead sets beginning to bowl randomly in the 20knot onshore gusts, the Open was run at a furious pace.  Some heavy drops and numerous hilarious wipeouts were inevitable. Surfers returning to the contest site, visibly drained from the intensity of the paddle-out, reported jelly legs and arms. Occasionally a clean peak would present itself out back and some long rides and big turns were made.

After a close fought battle, local knowledge proved the clinching factor again. Standouts Alex Baker, Lyndon Wake, Ossian Pleasance, Nigel Cross, Charlie Charlesworth, and Matt Jenkins who took the highest combined wavescores of the day, sealed a Croyde whitewash in all categories.

The Interclubs is an event firmly grounded in the grassroots of surfing, with commercial and individual interests for once taking a back-seat- it’s a format that helps remind everyone why it is they surf; and brings clubs together to celebrate their shared love of the ocean.  Croyde Surf Club, as this years champions, now get to host the event again next year- bring it on!

Results:

Groms Division.
1st Croyde, 2nd Polzeath, 3rd Croyde B,

Womens             
1st Croyde A, 2nd Croyde B

Open                   
1st Croyde A, 2nd Croyde B, 3rd Woolacombe A/ Langland, 4th Truro College/Wessex A

Overall Superclub winner 2009
CROYDE

www.croydesurfclub.com

What's your take on this?
Post your thoughts: SV Forum

New Survey: Map Surfing’s future 

New! B2B News ASBE-Surf   |  Receive News-Alerts

  Updated & Revised European Surforecasts
  More European surfing news available here

Matt Knight

Team - Surfersvillage