Ale and tales as a trio of surfing legends visit

TIKI International hosted three genuine legends of the surf world as the International Shapers Tour 09 came to North Devon.

Board-shaping godfathers Bob McTavish and Steve Walden were joined by World Championship Tour veteran Richie Lovett on the only UK stop of the European trip.

The guys arrived slightly jetlagged and headed straight to Tiki's Caen Street store in Braunton to be greeted by fans and staff eager to grab a chat and discuss boards and set-ups.

Boards were signed, photos snapped and the banter started to flow, as it did for the whole week.

All the country's surf press could be found in Woolacombe's Bar Electric as interviews were given, pictures snapped and beer guzzled.

"I love the beer you guys have over here," said Californian longboard innovator Walden, praising the quality of our local ale before launching into a history of longboards followed by a glimpse of the future with talk of a jet-propelled board that aids your paddling — I'm sure it wasn't the beer talking.

Wednesday saw the tour head over to Putsborough for some head-high, clean, high-tide waves.

Riding a selection of their own boards, the guys proceeded to pick off the best of the waves.

Laughing and hooting, it was clear they had lost none of their stoke for surfing.

Even in the water McTavish continued his cheery surf ambassador role, chatting to local riders and even swapping his board with Juliet Marlow mid-session.

Lovett spent his water-time prowling the inside, showing the kind of class that kept him on the WCT for 10 years.

Croyde Village Hall was the venue for the public Q&A session that rounded off the tour last Thursday.

The trio were quizzed on board shapes, favourite waves, heroes and fin set-ups.

The question of worst surf experience elicited the unanimous answer "Putsborough yesterday!"

The laughs continued as the audience enjoyed the tales of three real stars of the surf world.

Surfing barrister Tim Kevan, from Braunton, was the lucky winner of a signed surfboard in the raffle that raised £389 for the Marine Conservation Society.

Good work Tim Heyland and the boys at Tiki and Global Surf Industries for organising such a great event.

Five North Devon rippers have been called up to represent their country on the world stage. Laura Crane, Beau Bromham, Lucy Campbell, Jobe Harris and Liam Turner were announced as part of the 18-strong British squad from which a team will be picked for the 2010 World Junior Surfing Championships at Piha, near Auckland, New Zealand, in January.

Laura said: "I was so happy when I heard I'd been selected I giggled and rolled around on the floor so much I got carpet burns. Now I've got to focus, keep training hard and keep winning."

Also on the international stage is Roxy surf chick Sophie Hellyer who is competing in the Worldsportsmodel competition as well as the UK Pro Surf Tour. Lend your support and log your vote at www.worldsportsmodel.com. North Devon's answer to Pammy needs your help.

The Tour's latest event, the St Ives Open, scheduled for September 4 and 5, has been cancelled. It clashed with a charity event also wanting to use Porthmeor Beach and the Billabong British Junior Championships.

The next round will now be the Elusive Welsh Open at Porthcawl on October 10 and 11.