Croyde's Baker feeling at home on Kiwi beach

By arjones

THE QUIKSILVER ISA World Junior Championship has kicked off in New Zealand — and four of North Devon's best young riders are there representing Great Britain.

Laura Crane, Alex Baker, Lucy Campbell and Beau Bromham are proudly flying the Devon flag as they take on the cream of the world's youth surfing talent in both team and individual competition.

Aiming to improve on last year's team placing of 16th, Team GB, consisting of 12 junior stand-outs, have been working hard.

With the advantage of an early arrival, the team have had five days to train, surf the beach and get a feel for the waves prior to the comp.

Held at Piha Beach on the west coast of the North Island, the spectacular surroundings are a suitable setting for this amazing event.

Lineup talked to Croyde's Alex Baker, the quartet's most experienced competitor, just before the opening ceremony.

"The waves at Piha Beach are quite fun, a bit like England," he said. "It's been 4ft and cleanish for the last few days and it's meant to get really good over the next few days and into the comp.

"Hopefully it should play our way as it is kind of like Croyde at low tide."

That comparison was certainly evident in the first two days with both Georgeham's Crane snapping a board and Croyde's Beau Bromham facing a swim after breaking his leash.

We wish them well and to keep up with all the news from New Zealand, visit Lineup online at www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/surfing .

Saturday sees the first event in the Paddle4Relief 2010 fund-raising calendar, a fun quiz at Bratton Fleming Village Hall (7.30pm).

Set up in response to the disastrous 2004 tsunami, the group have helped dig wells, rebuild roofs and supply educational toys and books to 10 schools in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka.

Founder Tim Tanton returned just before Christmas from his latest three-month mission.

"During the last visit we completed several more well project's that ensure fresh water for families, as well as installing water mains and a toilet block," he said.

"We are looking to help the Sri Lankan's set up a surf federation and surf life saving club this year to help educate, protect and save local swimmers and surfers.

"There have been a number of close calls and this will follow on from the educational work we've already done.

"However, since the tragedy in Haiti we are looking to split the donations 50-50.

"This is a catastrophe on a similar scale to 2004 and it seems only right to direct aid to an organisation who can deliver help in the most effective manner."

So if you can spare time, money, knowledge, surfboards, educational toys, help or 100% commitment, get yourself to the Paddle4Relief open meeting to be held on Wednesday at the Aggi in Braunton.

Croyde Surf Club's annual meeting will take place on Saturday at the Manor Inn, Croyde.

The club is looking to recruit more members and committee volunteers to continue the contests and youth training of which they are so proud.

Finally, a cautionary winter tale. Following a surf on Sunday, Charlie Charlesworth was surprised to find a beat-up surfboard languishing among the rocks.

"I found it absolutely smashed in a gully and took it in to Skelly at Gulfstream in Braunton," said the popular musician.

Gulfstream's premier concertina player, Simon 'Skelly' Skelton, confirmed a tale of woe for an unfortunate local surfer.

The new board was separated from its owner when the leash snapped in the chunky swell on Saturday.

He also faced the daunting task of swimming in through the barnacle-covered rocks.

Happy to report that he made it in — just.

It's a position many will have found themselves in. Maybe it's time you checked your leash doesn't have any nicks in it, tighten those fin screws and thank your lucky stars you didn't have to swim in.

Speak to your local surf shop and they'll be happy to check your gear and advise of any timely upgrades — it might just save your life.