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The Quiksilver Welsh Nationals ran off in perfect conditions with Swansea's Lloyd Cole taking the Open Title for the second time and Pembrokeshire's Joanne Dennison successfully defending her Women's crown for a third successive time
by George Mojo
19/05/2008:// When the internet forecast tools started predicting epic waves, organisers were delighted as generally these virtual swells are usual only surfed in daydreams; but not so for this year's event.
A perfect 5ft SW groundswell propagated north eastward towards the St. Georges Channel and with local weather forecasts for the bank holiday weekend also shaping up it looked destined to be an all-time weekend.
The opening day dawned sunny with small 1-2ft waves breaking against a stiff offshore SE wind. The event got underway with 2 heats of the U12 Groms hitting the water at 10.30am. Given the smaller wave heights predicted for the day contest officials decided to run with the youngsters. The Junior Girls Final was run off with Hannah Griffiths, taking the title in what was a closely fought heat.
The U18 Longboard Final was also run, Huw Bentley and Evan Rogers battled out this heat with Huw eventually taking home the bacon. U14 Cadets round 1 and semi's, and U16 Round 1 were also completed with the event wrapping up for the day on the main beach with shoulder high offshore waves bowling into the high tide, shore break. The swell had definitely begun to arrive and with Open Round 1 scheduled for 9.00am Sunday everyone went home in anticipation of another great day of surfing ahead.
The day two forecast, weather wise, was to be the 'worst' of the event. The wind was still SE and blowing reasonably hard but the swell had arrived. 5ft+ sets broke way out the back at Freshwater and Open first round competitors knew they were going to have to work hard for their money.
With a record number of entries, it was going to be a great morning of entertainment watching the main event battle it out against the notorious Freshwater West beach break. The contestants didn't disappoint and the standard of surfing was exceptional in the 5ft shifting peaks.
Un-sympathetic to their tired shoulders Open round 2 was called to follow Open round 1 and so back in they went to once again tackle the solid waves which by now were easily 6ft on the sets as the tide had begun to push back in. Some stand out performances came from Lloyd Cole, Greg Owen, Gareth Vaughan and Harry Cromwell all of whom seemed into Freshy's grove!
The wind began to drop midway through day two, which unfortunately coincided with the descent of a thick sea mist putting the contest on hold as the judges were unable to make out the coloured rash vests of the competitors….. and so the organisers waited …….and waited…..then eventually after what seemed like eons the sun began to break through the mist revealing a glassy sea. 5ft sheet glass waves now poured into Freshwater West and those virtual swells often only dreamt about had unbelievably become reality.
The Open event continued with the Londboarders following behind. The tide had pushed high enough for the legendary right hander that is 'Middle Bay High Tide' to show and the competitors wasted no time in getting amongst it.
From then on it all got a little hazy as the remaining divisions, including the Seniors and Masters got treated to the 5ft+ dredging right hander in picture perfect conditions over the shallow high tide reef. Some locals were saying it's the best they'd seen; it was certainly right up there in the realms of classic as set after set of hollow waves unfolded down the point. With a large crowd of spectators gathered on the cliff tops, with scenes reminiscent of a classic Bells contest.
The wind magically turned offshore as the finals began. 3-4ft offshore beach break waves now poured into Freshwater West and still I hadn't been for a surf !!!!
Some consolation though was the standard of surfing witnessed.
A large crowd lined the shore line for the final's with running commentary, Quiksilver flags, banners and decals dotted all over the place, clear blue sky and picture perfect conditions the event would have looked more in place on the WCT!
The U16 Cadet final saw Tom Good narrowly defeated Jack Hughes. Mark 'Splinter' Griffiths took home his gazillionth Welsh National title in the bodyboard with Tom Hammett coming in close 2nd. Elliott Dudley stylishly took out the longboard final with his duelling partner Dan Harris coming 2nd. Tom Padden just pipped Max Tucker to the Junior U18 Final, Max surfing with fluid style through-out but Tom nailed one big closeout turn that impressed the judges.
Keeping with the Tuckers and father Simon stopped defending champion Nick Bresnan from making it two in a row in the Masters Division; contrastingly Mark Vaughan was eventually dominant in defending his Senior crown taking out the final after a heroic run swim run to avoid getting stuck in the rip paid dividends with an 8 pointer landing in his lap.
The Ladies title was also defended. Jo Dennison sealing the win with two great scoring rides but it was a close call with Swansea girl Beth Mason just edged into 2nd. The win made it a hat-trick for Jo, an incredible achievement given the level that Women's surfing in Wales is currently at!
The tide was now pushing right up the main beach banks making for difficult backwash conditions for the Open Final. Having looked so good through the whole event finalists Harry Cromwell and Gareth Vaughan just couldn't find waves that linked through to the shore break had to be content with 3rd and 4th respectively.
Lloyd Cole got off to a flying start locking in an 8point ride in the first few minutes.
Greg Owen answered back as he does best with some consistent rides battling hard against the rip hoping to hook into the river mouth rights, which seemed like it was tactically a heat wining move.
But it wasn't to be for the former 3xChamp as Lloyd picked off the last remaining set which ran through the flat section allowing him to smash and powerful closeout reo and seal the his second Welsh Open Title.
The presentation was made in golden light with Freshwaters picturesque back drop as a fitting setting.
Organisers and Officials were thanked with special praise made to Eryl Mason, Stuart Bentley, Anne Webster Blyth, Tony Good, all of our Judges, The National Trust, Christian Surfers and our sponsors Quiksilver. Best wishes were passed to Gwen Spurlock for a swift recovery following her recent operations.
Welsh Nationals final results
OPEN 1 Lloyd Cole 2 Greg Owen 3 Harry Cromwell 4 Gareth Vaughan
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