Sunday the 14th August, Sennen Cove in Cornwall saw the first MINI-BUGS contest. This was a pre-teen event put on by SURF SOLUTIONS (surfsolutions.tv) in association with the Sennen Surfing Centre. The contest attracted many of the leading UK performers in this age group and was split into 3 separate divisions – BEATLES (12 and under), ANTS (10 and under) and the FLEAS (8 and under). It also included the ‘World Cockroach Championships’.
The day was greeted with sun and great waves that picked up to a solid 4ft in time for the finals. Over 30 young surfers attended coming from Wales, North and South Devon as well as all over Cornwall.
“The whole idea was to try to get as many of the enthusiastic little groms together as possible and put on a healthy competitive day. I was really impressed from start to finish with the performances in all divisions and the BEATLES final was a pleasure to watch. I’m so looking forward to seeing this crew filter their stoke up through British surfing.” (Joel Gray –SURF SOLUTIONS)
Head Judge Sam Wakerly stated. “The standard of surfing blew me away. From under 8′s reading waves and performing turns to keep themselves perfectly in the pocket, to under 12′s destroying the solid Sennen Cove surf with powerful committed manoeuvres and vertical surfing. On today’s evidence the future of UK surfing is bright.”
There was an extremely healthy prize fund donated by CARVE, VANS, DC, HURLEY, XTREME VIDEO, GORRILLA, FCS, ROBIE ROBES, OCEAN and EARTH, FAMOUS, HEADHUNTER, SURFERS SKIN, SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE and THE SURF EXPERIENCE (Portugal) amongst others.
Gabriel Ley – winner of the ANTS Division claimed, “I was stoked to win and also with such amazing prizes it was like all my birthdays coming all together at once!!!!”
Stanley Norman put in one of the displays of the contest securing a 10 pt ride and a 9.5 to take out the FLEAS Division convincingly. ““The waves were good the sun was out and everyone there was in a good vibe,” said the pint sized winner.
The BEATLES final was the last event of the day and surfing their own peak down the beach the 12 and unders put on what many said was the best final witnessed from this age group. Young Cieran Hughes from Wales did not look out of place against the 3 older boys and it was Will Bailey from Croyde who put together the first few solid turns. As the heat neared to a close Liam Murray Strout (Port Isaac) strung together a series of carves out the back before a speed run through the inside produced an air and a foam bash finish for an 8.5. This highest score of the final was not enough for victory though as Harry De Roth’s (St Ives) solid combo’s took the win by 0.8 points. With the win he also secured the top prize of a coaching trip to Portugal. (www.surfexperience.com) “It felt great to win the final as the others were surfing so well. Every time I paddled out I saw someone getting a good wave so I was stoked when I found out I won.” (Harry De Roth)

Full results and some photographs below: For more information on the event and future Surf Solutions projects contact joelsurf@mac.com

Surfsolutions.tv

BEATLES (12 and under)
Harry De Roth
Liam Murray Strout
Will Bailey
Cieran Hughes

ANTS (10 and under)
Gabriel Ley
Dylan Smith
Sabrina Swallow
Ffion Hughes
Joseph Morriss

FLEAS (8 and under)
Stanley Norman
Bertie Norman
Flynn Thomas
Reece Thomas

COCKROACH WORLD CHAMPS
Joint First – Joseph Harding / Freedom Wall