Search for
Search for
Search forFirst Analog Tag Team Open
Thursday, July 31, 2008, 07:00
Organiser Andrew Cotton said: “With 56 entrants and team captains including Gary Wells, Danny Wells, Scott Rannochan, Ben Howarth and Josh Hughes, it was hotting up to be a great day of surfing, and the sun came out in time for the start of the competition.
“Team captains were busy working out tactics and giving the younger members of their teams advice and encouragement, before the twelve teams got ready for the morning heats.”
Cotty said: “The tag-team format was loved by all and the style of comp drew in a lot of entrants and spectators who would not normally bother with comps.
“Our Referee for the day, Axel Bevis, kept the action on the beach going while the surfers were in the water.
“He was handing out yellow and red cards for body parts, leashes etc caught outside of the teams respective areas, which meant penalty points against the team involved.”
Cotty added: “Late afternoon saw the surf pick up to over head high, with the final four teams going head to head with Gary Well's team of Jonty Tucker, Hayden Duck, Flora Lawton and Andrew Warren. Josh Hughes team of Alex Downie, Beua Bromham, Harriet Knight and Eddie Knight. Matt Jenkins team of Ben Reuth, Zak Lawton, Karma Worthington and Matt Knight against local un-sponsored legend, Adam Thornton's team of Charlie Charlesworth, Alister Deswert and Andrea Lawrence.”
At this point the surfing got serious, with Jonty Tucker taking the highest scoring wave of the final.
But despite his best efforts this wasn't enough to secure victory for his team, as it was Croyde boy Adam Thornton's team who took the deserved top spot, with Josh Hughes team taking a close second.
The three top teams all bagged some amazing prizes from Analog, Gravis, Anon optics and Wavelength magazine.
But the first place team struck gold with each team member taking home an Xbox 360.
There were also prizes of Sony MP3 players going to best male surfer of the day, which was awarded to Gary Wells, and best female surfer of the day, local ripper, Karma Worthington.
Adam Thornton won best overall un-sponsored surfer, and secured himself a years sponsorship deal with Analog clothing, Gravis footwear Anon optics.
Elsewhere on the surf sponsorship scene, Croyde man Scott Rannochan has been picked up by Lost, and joins Woolacombe rider Stuart Campbell on the UK team.
Lost UK team manager Paul Barrington said: “Scott was whooping and cheering and generally loving life when I signed him up. I thought he was the perfect person as a good local mascot.”
Former Hunter riders Will Bailey and rising surf starlet Lucy Campbell, have also recently been snapped up by Billabong.
Last weekend also saw the third leg of the UK Pro Surf Tour kick off down at Watergate— the White Stuff Surf Relief.
Billabong rider Laura Crane surfed really well to take fourth in the U16 girls, with Jemima and Harriet Knight both hot on her heels in the semis.
Tas Knight continued to show his promise, and surfed a blinder in the U12s, taking out tour leader Ed Smith in the semis and winning through to the finals once again.
But Tas was left needing a backup wave and ended up taking third.
And finally, with the charts looking favourable for this weekend, and entries already filling up, the inaugural Big Move Surf contest at Combesgate could prove interesting.
Christian Surfers UK, in partnership with Creation Fest, will be hosting the event which has a maximum 32 person entry.
The event will be a knock out competition with cash prizes for the finalists, and £150 for the winner.
For more information visit www.christiansurfers.co.uk or www.creationfest.org.uk/surf.asp, or e-mail philwilliams@christiansurfers.co.uk.
Comment on this story