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Sunshine, Waves and Quality Surfing Action in store
by Ben Byfield
04/05/2007:// The current run of sunshine and summer temperatures looks set to continue for this weekend’s Headworx English National Surfing Championships at Watergate Bay. Organisers are also forecasting good sized waves on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday as England’s top surfers will be taking to the water across 24 divisions of surfing at one of Cornwall’s finest beach breaks.
The event kicks off at 9am on Saturday morning, when small but clean surf conditions are forecast for the early rounds. The swell is due to pick up during the weekend, providing good contestable conditions for the surfers, and a great viewing spectacle for surfing fans and spectators.
With the event now in its 35th year, the organisers are already celebrating a record number of entries – the field will be the biggest yet with over 300 surfers signed up to compete. With new sponsors Headworx coming on board in 2007, this year’s event is gearing up to be an action packed championships and extra judges and officials have been drafted in to cope with the busy contest schedule.
“Its truly exciting to see the English Nationals become such a big event this year,” commented Paul Jeffery, National Director of the English Surfing Federation. “Thanks to the support of Headworx and the dedicated team at the ESF, we will be putting on the biggest championships in our history. It speaks volumes for the growing popularity of surfing in this country - and having seen many of the top guys practising at the beach today there is no doubt that the standard of competition will be the highest yet.”
Last year’s Mens Open winner, Joss Ash has returned from training in Indonesia to defend his title from top names on the British circuit such as Johnny Fryer, Matt Capel, Alan Stokes, Reubin Pearce and Mark Harris. However, there will be new names on the Longboard and Bodyboard trophies this year as Ben Skinner and Damien Prisk are both unable to defend their titles.
For some it will be their first taste of top level competition, while for many it is one of the most important events on their contest calendar. The coveted English titles are prized accolades which often lead to sponsorship and future success, as longboarder Ben Skinner proved last year when he went on to become World No.2 shortly after winning his English Longboard title. As an added incentive, this year’s results will affect selections for the Headworx-sponsored English National Team for this June’s European Championships which are to be held in France.
At beautiful Watergate Bay, final preparations are now underway with the famous Beach Hut expecting an influx of thirsty surfers and spectators, making the most of the perfect vantage points to watch the action. For those unable to make it down to the beach, for the first time at the English Nationals, sponsors Headworx are putting video highlights, heat scores and a full photo gallery online at the official event website – www.englandsurf.com. The Championships are run by the English Surfing Federation (ESF) - a non profit making organisation dedicated to the support and development of English surfers.
The 2008 Beachley Classic got underway this morning, completing Rounds 1 and 2 as well as the opening two heats of Round 3 at nearby Freshwater Beach in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves
Layne Beachley (AUS), 36, has officially announced her retirement from full-time competition, effective at the end of the year
Former Exeter University student Josh Lewin first heat at the Ocean and Earth Pro in the Canary Islands has been delayed because the 2ft surf was deemed uncontestable
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