A BIG contingent of North Devon surfers crossed the border for the Protest English National Championships, held at Watergate Bay over the weekend.

The first major contest of the year saw the Newquay surfing stranglehold well and truly broken as North Devon riders bagged plenty of silverware.

Animal rider Zak Lawton dominated in a six-man under-18s final that saw him crowned English junior longboard champion.

Zak said: "The conditions were really tough, 2ft onshore, and it was really close with Bude's Lewis Strich, but my turns and progressive surfing got me through. I'm so stoked with the win.

"Thanks to the support of Animal and Thomas Technologies, as well as my family and friends who have helped me get this far."

There is no time to rest on his laurels, though, as it's off to Portugal today for the Eurojunior 2010 in Viana do Castelo.

Also going well alongside Zak in the junior longboard was new Xcel signing Alex Maddox, who placed fourth.

Ben Howarth made it to the longboard open finals and finished third in a stacked heat that saw Ben Skinner return to the top.

The open was a thrilling affair with cracking semis.

Croyde's Lyndon Wake disposed of both Sam Lamiroy and Reubyn Ash, while Woolacombe's Stuart Campbell also made the final in style, knocking out Oli Adams and Joss Ash.

Conditions deteriorated for the final, making it a real challenge and only offering one-turn possibilities.

Jayce Robinson came out on top, with Lyndon second and Stuart fourth.

Other top performers at Watergate included Alex Baker, who was unlucky to be squeezed into second in the under-18s; and Croyde super grom Taz Knight, who snagged second in the under-14s, his highest national placing.

The under-18 girls event was packed with talent — most of it from North Devon.

Billabong rider Laura Crane surfed hard to get second, followed by sisters Jemima and Harriet Knight in third and fourth respectively.

Harriet then swapped boards and made her second final in the women's longboard, placing fourth in her first comp.

The ladies' open featured two more North Devon girls in the top tier. Karma Worthington placed third, ahead of Lucy Campbell in fourth, punching above her weight in a strong women's entry.

The end of May will see the return of Paddle4Relief's main event.

Surfers from far and wide will gather to paddle from Saunton to Croyde and back.

It has always been a good social event, raising money for Sri Lankan victims of the 2004 tsunami, but this year a competitive element has been added.

The first paddler home will win a week-long Hossegor trip with Errant Surf.

As a warm-up to the paddle, several brave souls will be baring almost all for public amusement at the Wax On Wax Off charity night on May 15 at the Mariners Arms in Braunton.

Lots of hair will be painfully stripped from manly bodies by the girls from Pure Skin and Beauty Salon.

For more info, log on to www.paddle4relief.co.uk.

There is only a week to go until the first Mojito Pro.

Order a T, get out your best fancy dress and prepare to have the odd drink ... oh, and there's a contest in there somewhere, so bring a board and wetsuit to show willing.