Phone Alex Willams
Very sad news today from Newquay; British surfing legend John Owen has passed away after a long illness.
John was at the heart of surfing in the Newquay area for many years and British professional competitive surfing for decades from there Gul Alder comp right through to the BPSA and UKPST. He was much loved by all.
His daughter Joanne and sons Jamie and Jonathan Owen posted.
“John Owen, our beloved Dad, legend of British surfing, has passed away (surfed away) today, peacefully surrounded by family.”
Condolences to all.
He leaves a legacy of a lot of laughs with a lot of people over many years.
RIP
About 380 years ago a women was shot dead after apparently surfing in Newbury small town in middle England with a river running through it..
The ‘surfing’ “Witch of Newbury” – A Most Certain, Strange, and True Discovery of a VVitch 1643” makes an interesting story. Was she riding standing waves? Was she sup’ing on the river? Why was she shot?
The descriptions from soldiers and their commanders are pretty obviously of a woman surfing, even doing tricks on her board. Interesting…Until they shot her…
“…this womans kind to stand upon the board, turning and winding it which way she pleased, making it pastime to her, as little thinking who perceived her tricks, or that she did imagine that they were the last she ever should show, as we have heard the swan sing before her death, so did this divellish woman, as after plainly it appeared make sport before her death”
“ one of them by chance in clambering up a tree… espied on the river being there adjacent, a tall, lean, slender woman, as he supposed, to his amazement, and great terreur treading of the water with her feet, with as much ease and firmnesses as if one could walk or trample on the earth, wherewith his softly calls, and beckened to his fellows to behold it.. this could be no little amazement unto them you may think to see a woman dance upon the water, nor could all their sights be deluded, though perhaps one might but coming nearer to the shore, they could perceive there was a plank or deale overshadowed with a little shallow water that she stood upon, the which did beare her up, anon rode by some of the Commanders who were eye witnesses, as well as they, and were as much astonished as they could be, still too and fro she fleeted on the water, the boord standing firm bout upright, indeed I have both heard and read of many that in tempests and on rivers by casualty have been shipwracked, or cast over board, where catching empty barrels, rudders, boards, or planks have made good shift by the assisting providence of God to get on shore, but not in this womans kind to stand upon the board, turning and winding it which way she pleased, making it pastime to her, as little thinking who perceived her tricks, or that she did imagine that they were the last she ever should show, as we have heard the swan sing before her death, so did this divellish woman, as after plainly it appeared make sport before her death,”
And..
“…one soldier climbed a tree and noticed what appeared to be a woman walking on water. The soldier called to the other soldiers, and together they went to get a better look at the woman. Upon closer inspection, they realized that the woman was in fact on a piece of wood, but she was standing on it and maneuvering it in such a way to warrant suspicion, so once she reached the shore the commanders ordered for her to be obtained.
When they asked her what she was and she gave no answer, the commanders decided to have their two best marksmen shoot the woman. Bam! But she had not died. She had caught the bullets with her hands, put them in her mouth and chewed them, laughing loudly all the while. Enraged by this, one soldier stuck the muzzle of his gun right against her breast and fired, only for the bullet to bounce off of the witch and almost strike him dead. Realizing that guns were not working, a soldier with a sword tried to stab her, only to fail in killing her for a third time, resulting in more laughter from the witch and more rage from the soldiers. Finally, one calm and rational soldier exclaimed that “drawing blood from forth the veines that crosse the temples of the head” would “quell the force of Witchcraft.” Upon merely hearing this, the woman realized that she had lost her power and began to cry, roar, moan, and tear her hair out before finally speaking: “and is it come to passe, that I must dye?”
He’s still on the podium so not retiring yet!
British Surfing have announced Newquay’s Luke Dillon as their new Performance Surfing Coach. Luke has been putting in strong performances on the QS and in Olympic qualifiers as well as at home the UK for some time now. He is well respected by the current crop of QS chasers from Britains and Ireland… BUT it doesn’t mean he is retiring just yet! As we found out.
Carve > So what up… a pretty big announcement today what can you tell us?
Luke Yeah very exciting, I’ve been announced as the Performance Coach for GB Surfing. I’ll be overseeing the development of the Progression Squad – which is a squad that aims to be Podium competitive by Brisbane Olympics 2032.
Got to throw the Nias shot in!
Is it a full time paid or part time for the love?
It’s part time, it’s a hybrid role to allow me to continue to compete this year to try and qualify for Paris 2024 as well as coaching. The World Championships are in Puerto Rico in February so it’s not very far away. You’re a long time retired so for me it was about giving it one last go before I put all my energy into helping out the next generations. GB surfing have been very understand and supportive of this so I’m very thankful to be in this position.
You were going pretty good on the Olympic qualification race, even though it is super tough, and some great performances, please tell me it’s not retirement!
Ha ha. Yeah as I said it’s important to me to try and give this next competitive year everything. It’s good timing for me with Paris 2024, it’ll be a clean break after that. I’ve already found myself getting straight into the coaching side and involved with potential future plans with GB Surfing. There may be the odd event in the U.K. I’ll compete in but they’ll be no more WSL competing.
You’ve been part of an increasingly tight UK comp crew and I got the feeling you were kinda coaching a few of them anyway?
Yeah it’s been good the past couple of years. I started on the WQS solo and now feels like we have a little team travelling together. I wouldn’t say I coach any of them but they all know they can come to me and ask for: advice, heat strategies, board advice etc. I’ve never pushed it on them, I’ve just made it really obvious I’m there if they need me.
What’s the big aim and what comes next for you.
The short term big aim for me is Olympic Qualification. However to get there, I need to get into the GBR squad, go to the World Champs and qualify out of the remaining places. I’m very confident in my abilities or I would have retired and gone into coaching now. Long term… I want to take our athletes to the pinnacle of competitive surfing. Olympic medals, CT competitors, World Champions.
Are there going to be some training camps on the horizon?
I want to put in place training camps for sure, need to look into the details and figure out what’s possible but it’s definitely possible. It’s something that has to be done alongside regular training. It’s exciting times, lots to get on with and get going.
2X BRITISH NATIONAL SURFING CHAMPION, LUKE DILLON, TO BECOME GB SURFING PERFORMANCE COACH
GB Surfing is delighted to announce the appointment of two-time British National Champion, Luke Dillon, as Performance Coach, leading on the day-to-day coaching of all UK Sport funded athletes.
Luke joins GB Surfing and makes the transition from athlete to coach as one Britain’s most successful surfers. A two-time British National Champion, four-time English Champion, European Junior Tour winner and a Top 20 ISA World Games finisher, Luke will bring considerable competitive experience and knowledge to the team.
As well as managing the day-to-day coaching of the Progression Squad, Luke will lead on all UK-based training activity, squad planning for the winter camps, and athlete reviews. He will also play a lead role in the preparation for the 2024 ISA World Surf Games in Puerto Rico and beyond.
The Progression Squad will be made up of male and female athletes identified by GB Surfing as potential future Olympic medal surfers. The selection criteria for athletes to be considered for the Progression Squad is available on the website, and Luke, along with an expert selection committee will select and announce the surfers in the coming weeks.
The appointment of Luke highlights GB Surfing’s desire to develop and nurture British talent, putting the facilities, guidance and support in place to produce Olympic medal-winning teams. Luke will be enrolled in the UK Sport Athlete to Coach programme as well as receiving high-level mentoring from the UK Sport system to help him with his transition from elite athlete to coach.
Talking about his appointment, Luke said: “I am incredibly excited to start my coaching journey, it is something I have always wanted to do, and I am grateful to Dan and the GB Surfing team for giving me the opportunity.
“This is a new era for surfing in Great Britain, and I know we have some amazing young athletes coming through with the ability to do some special things on the world stage. I know I have got lots to learn as a coach, but there is a huge opportunity for us to create something positive that can last for decades, and that we can all be incredibly proud of.”
Talking about the appointment of Luke, GB Surfing Executive Performance Director, Dan Hunt, said: “Luke is incredibly well liked and well respected in the sport, both in the UK and Internationally, and after multiple conversations with him, it is clear his knowledge, experience and desire to help shape the next generation of British surfers will be a massive asset to us.
“Like GB Surfing, Luke is at the beginning of a very exciting journey, and we believe nurturing our own talent and giving them the tools and support they need will be the best way to build a sustainable elite development programme that ensures long-lasting success.”
Luke will report directly to Dan Hunt, Executive Performance Director, and will initially balance his new role with his surfing. If therefore deemed necessary at any camps or competitions, GB Surfing will bring in additional coaching to ensure they have the correct provision.
Naths last view. This is the wave that done it. Shot by Jason Dreyer who also set up a GoFundMe to help Nath.
On Friday Nath Philips pulled into a bomb down at Porthleven, hit bit of turbulence and it snapped his leg. And not just break, a full 90 degrees sticking out horror. Luckily for him he was surrounded by legends and they soon got him on Levy local Pete Edkins SUP and paddling back to the harbour – nearly a mile away, through a five foot swell. It was a full team effort by the lads and they managed to get him up the slip to wait for an ambulance.
Jamie Kent and Jonathan Davies help Nath up the ramp after nearly a mile paddling on Pete Edkins SUP.
As Nath winged off to Plymouth for a few days stay at NHS’s pleasure his mates realised the break and recovery were going to cause some serious drama. Nath is a self employed roofer (Very good if anyone wants to book him later year!) and has a child on the way in six weeks time. His plans had been to put in some serious graft to pay the rent and expenses in the coming weeks had gone out the window. It’s a case of no work no pay, and six to eight weeks out were going to really hurt. Luckily Porthleven entrepreneur and all round ledge Kelv Batt, and good mate and photog Jason Dreyer had foreseen the possibility of a financial crisis and set up two Gofund me pages. The call was answered, the links went viral and within 12 hours over £5,000 was raised. It’s now over £7,500.
Nath had obviously been very worried about the whole thing, so it was a massive effort by all to dig in and help.
“What an absolute whirlwind of a few days, literally blown away with how kind everyone is. First of all I wanna thank the Levy crew @kelvin_batt for setting up a gofund me also @jasondreyerimages for again setting one up both have had a massive response.’ said Nath,
“This time yesterday I was in a very very dark place with worry anxiety and depression… I guess everything happens for a reason but it just really came at a bad time I’m so grateful for every penny that has been donated. Being self employed if I’m not there I’m not earning. Two years ago I broke my foot and and I was that skint that I had to go to work high on codine and morphine with my boot on up on roofs I didn’t have an option my body was still broken for that two years on.”
“Everyone who was involved in the sea rescue and the comforting on land I know I’ve said this all all before but I’m blown away!!!!”
Nath had previously thanked the crew who rescued him.
“Thanks so much everyone !!! Who helped me get to land. @rkay88 @manonaplanet @jasondreyerimages@benwadei @tom_crowe78 @peter_edkins @duncan.coombs@tommybutts @jannerinnit Dave the paramedic from levy @flexi_hex @surfiejim @skindog_surfboards all the coast guard crew @johnnieboydavies @dai_lawton @leo_joel1 @davedoova @kelvin_batt @martin_mynne I’m sorry if I’ve missed anyone but boys thank you so much for helping me that was scary !!!!”
Nath had previously helped a young grom who’s board burned down on his way to a Cornish holiday. Is Guess this is karma.
Them’s the breaks.
As much as this story is of a horrendous bit of luck and bad break, it is testament to the true spirit of the British surf community so give yourselves a massive pat on the back.
We have said his before, there is nowhere like home. It’s not really picked up on or referred to but as much as there are more people surfing than ever there is still a common link between surf communities from Sennen to Thurso and when the shit hits the fan, a lot of people stand up. It’s incredible to watch.
Nath is in for an op tomorrow so we will see what the damage is and update a recovery time. But in the meantime, this a shout out to the legends who have helped him. Good work all! You should be proud.
You can donate to Naths GoFunds here and here
It all helps.
