THE SWELL delivered the goods for the Saltrock Open with near-perfect, trademark Croyde conditions ranging from 1 to 4ft for the pros to get their teeth into.

Low tide on Sunday and Monday provided some epic conditions and allowed the surfers to fully showcase their talent during the event, which was the first leg of the 2009 UK Pro Surf Tour.

Claire Thomson, of Saltrock, said: "Saturday stood out as possibly the best conditions for the Saltrock Open to date.

"There was an exciting surprise for those on celebrity watch, as comedian Justin Lee Collins turned up to compete in his first surf contest."

Following a 15-minute heat with Britain's top surfer, Newquay's Russell Winter, plus local talents Scott Rannochan and Billabong rider Lyndon Wake, Collins was stoked with his performance.

He said: "This is just so great and has been very fortuitous as I was meant to be competing in Newquay in the English Nationals, but due to a perforated ear after a sky-diving experience it was postponed to the Saltrock Open.

"The guys have been great and it's been fantastic to be able to take part."

Only a month after taking up surfing, Collins gave a very credible performance in Croyde's challenging conditions, managing to score two waves during his heat.

Following Saturday's celeb excitement, the main competition started on Sunday, having been postponed to wait for the building swell. Spectacular surfing from Lewis Clinton of Newquay helped him clinch the pro junior final, second was Luis Eyre, followed closely by St Ives' Jayce Robinson and Cornish lad Toby Donachie.

In the under-16 boys event, Leon Mansfield won, with local ripper Beau Bromham hot on his heels in second, followed by Tom Good and Nathan Elms.

The under-16 girls event was taken by Gabby Rowe ahead of St Ives girl Tassy Swallow, with local girls Lucy Campbell and Laura Crane in third and fourth.

Hot off his win at the Rip Curl Grom Search, Alex Gibson, from West Down, managed to bag the only local win at the Saltrock, in the closest run final of the weekend. Gibson shredded his way to the under-12s title ahead of Alex Scotney, Harry De Roth and fellow Woolacombe surfer Will Bailey.

In the men's event, none of the local lads managed to make the final, leaving Russell Winter, Glen Hall, Matt Capel and Alan Stokes to battle it out for the title.

Against tough competition, Hall stormed the final with some aggressive surfing, despite Capel giving him serious competition.

A strong women's field also took to the water on Sunday, with world number 32 Sarah Beardmore, Welsh rippers Gwen Spurlock and Jo Dennison and Tassy Swallow in the final.

Beardmore, who was competing in her first UK Pro Surf Tour event, dominated the final and took first place with a stunning performance.

Bude lad Reuben Ash won the Relentless Energy drink for the biggest air, pulling off two amazing moves in one heat.

The prize for the highest-scoring wave was won by Beardmore in the women's and Eyre in the juniors.

● This year's Paddle 4 Relief event takes place on June 13.

Participants will paddle from Saunton to Croyde to raise funds for the Braunton-based charity, which helps people in tsunami-affected areas in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka.

Entry costs £10, £7 for under-18s, and includes a free barbecue.

As well as the paddle, there will also be live music on the beach from 3 to 7pm from Jim Jones, Julie Yount, Stuart Wills and Brixton Pieces.

Following the beachside antics, P4R are then hosting a fund-raising gig at the Mariners Arms in Braunton from 8pm, with Jonny Black, the Sonix and Plane Lazy all confirmed to play.

For more information, log on to www.paddle4relief.co.uk or call Mark at Surfed Out on 01271 891286, or Tim on 07917 032523.