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News Optimum conditions make it the best Fat face Night Surf yet
[Newquay Night Surf]
Nick White from New Zealand clinched pole position to the applause of thousands of spectators at Lusty Glaze Beach
by Dave Reed
30/06/2008:// It was a truly international podium for the second stop of the UKPSA Tour, with Reuben Pearce from South Africa taking second place, local lad and two times winner, Alan Stokes, taking third and Australian born but UK based, Matt Capel beating 150 other competitors to claim fourth place.
After a grey drizzly start to the contest on Friday, the competitors were greeted to sunshine AND waves and a phenomenal day of surfing on Saturday.
Nicole Morgan from Ireland stole the show for the women to claim first place, followed by Natasha Basterie from South Africa in second, Jo Dennison from Wales in third and Jenny Horbas in fourth, flying the flag for Bournemouth.
Local surfer, Ben Skinner scored the highest point of the contest with a straight 10 and became the runaway winner of the Longboard division. Ben, ranked second longboarder in the world performed a rarely seen aerial manoeuvre, wowing the judges instantly. Second place was awarded to past European Champion Sennen’s Sam Bleakley, third place went to Dan Harris from Wales and local talent, James Parry claimed fourth place.
There was a stark contrast to last year where small conditions made it a slog for the competitors to catch a good wave. Nick White dominated this year’s Men’s Open with an early right hander leading to a score of 9.17, forcing all the other surfers to catch up. Rueben Pearce also had a good early start with a left hander, scoring 7.67 followed by Alan Stokes with 7.70 - for their first scoring waves.
Matt Capel failed to catch a wave that would open up so he could perform the big turns. As the heat progressed Nick racked up another 8.0 scoring wave which eventually clinched the heat and contest.
A mad dash up the beach followed for the Prize Giving where Fat Face thanked the assembled crowds for their awesome support and everyone involved in the event. The surfers then got their podium crowns, the big cheques and obligatory champagne to soak themselves and everyone within spraying distance! The fireworks then illuminated the packed beach!
Winner of the Fat Face Night Surf 2008, Nick White commented: “It was such an awesome event; great atmosphere; great ambience; I’m really stoked to win! It’s the first time I’ve really been surfing at night and certainly the first time during a competition”
Rueben Pearce explained: “It’s a 2 star rated event which has more points and more prize money. It’s the best stop on the tour. I’m very pleased with how the final went. I got some good, good turns in early on in the heat.
“It also helped that I had a late heat last night as part of the qualification so I was familiar with the conditions. However, not being able to see the waves adds another dimension to the competition which other events don’t. You need to hone your balance and also a bit of luck helps along the way!”
Third place, Alan Stokes, who is used to the Fat Face Night Surf podium explained: “It’s a really cool event with a great atmosphere. Generally all the surfers surf better in the evening. When I’m training and free surfing I’ll go out twice a day and it’s always the later sessions that are the more satisfying sessions. This is only stop on the tour that fits in with that.”
Everyone involved in the event felt that this was one of the best, if not the best Fat Face Night Surf yet, with everything coming together to produce the ultimate platform for the surfing talent to shine. Will Blair, marketing manager, Fat Face, comments: “We definitely had the best conditions for eight years, which has lead to a truly memorable event. There was phenomenal surfing and an awesome atmosphere.
“Thanks to Lusty Glaze, the UKPSA, the competitors, spectators and followers of this fantastic event, which we’re very proud of.”
Dave Reed, contest director for the Fat Face Night Surf and tour commented: “This is by far the most spectacular night surf event we’ve held. The surfing quality has been amazing and the waves have been great, allowing us to watch surfing at the highest level”. Adding: “This also is the first stop on the UKPSA Summer Series, a run of three events held during the summer segment of the UK Pro Surf Tour.”
Jeremy Griffiths, owner of Lusty Glaze Beach commented: “It was fantastic to see so many people on the beach, enjoying themselves and taking advantageous of everything to do at the Adventure Centre. It was a hive of activity with the best UK and international surfing talent on full display. An epic Fat Face Night Surf!”
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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