Almost a perfect summers day greeted organisers, contestants and beach goers alike at Fistral Beach Newquay with perfect blue skies and warm conditions to kick start the slow start to summer however small surf forced strategic measures for the final day of competition.

It was Liam Murray Strout’s (Polzeath) smooth style and outstanding small wave surfing skills that won him the under 16 division with an outstanding 8 point ride having his fellow competitors chasing him throughout the heat. Rhy’s Barfield wasn’t going down without a fight and put in a great performance but couldn’t catch Strout’s lead in the small and inconsistent conditions.

Strout said ” That 8 point ride was probably the best wave of the heat and it peeled nicely across the bank! “I’m stoked to win this event and to be going to Portugal to compete against the best 16 and Under kids from across Europe at this years Rip Curl Pro Portugal (8 – 21 of October) it’s going to be amazing”.

Unfortunately all other divisions had to be cancelled due the deteriorating conditions. A decision from event organisers was made alongside all Under 16 girls finalists to award the highest heat score from day one of competition the wild card spot to compete against the best 16 and Under girls from across Europe during the Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Lucky for Peony Knight (Croyde) who was the stand out performer on day one and highest heat score surfer of the Under 16 girls division earning her place in Portugal later in the year.

While the contest began with clean 1m surf on Saturday, the offshore winds rapidly saw the swells drop to less than 0.25m on Sunday and forced organizers to unfortunately cancel the Under 14 and Under 12 divisions. Competitors did not go home empty handed with lots of goodies from Rip Curl and event supporters POSCA, FCS, SeventyOne percent and Bouygues.

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Under 16 Boys Semi Finals
1st         Liam Murray Strout
2nd          Rhys Barfield
3rd         Harry de Roth
4th         Dale Foster
5th        Angus Scotney

Under 16 Girls Final
Peony Knight (Wild Card to the European GromSearch Final)
Flora Lawton
Ellen Harding
Ellie Cod

Under 14 Girls Finalists
Elie Codel
Katie Hudson
Ellen Harding

Under 14 Boys Finalists
Gabriel Ley
Angus Scotney
Harry de Roth
Hayden Bishop
Max Payne
Liam Murray Strout

Under 12 boys Finalists:
Gabriel Ley
Joseph Morris
Gavin Clay
Stanley Norman