Jesus Longboard Classic

Jesus Longboard Classic

Organisers Christian surfers UK are very excited to be welcoming the longboard community to the 13th anniversary Jesus Longboard Classic, which will be held over the weekend of October 9 – 10 based at its usual venue of Tubestation using the beach at Polzeath.

After sadly being unable to host the event last year in person, due to COVID restrictions (although we did organise an upload video based event) it will be great to gather the longboard community back together again.

The Jesus Longboard Classic is a great contest for both those who have not entered a competition before and those seasoned contest surfers. The event has a well-deserved reputation for its friendly atmosphere and relaxed vibe, as well as the later rounds being highly competitive.

The event has always attracted some of the top longboard surfers in the UK, with previous winners including Ben Skinner, Ben Howarth, Ben Howey, Beth Leighfield and Emily Currie.
Due to the ongoing popularity of the event entries are limited, so for all those keen to enter we would advise surfers to get their entries in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, the portal is now open, so to enter follow the link here.

All the various elements that go along with this contest, the great vibe, hospitality in the Tubestation and exciting surfing will all be there again.

With the Jesus Surf Classic growing every year Christian Surfers took the decision 12 years ago, to give the Longboard community their own dedicated event. This was done to enlarge the entry numbers and increase the number of categories being contested. Also, to give the competitive longboard community a more focused stage to highlight the progression of UK longboarding.

The Jesus Longboard Classic, after the success of the last few year’s have decided to continue with a ‘Legends’ category (due to popular demand) which will cover 60 and above, and this will be restricted to a maximum of eight surfers – first-come first-served. In addition, we will also be holding the following categories: Grand Masters over 50, Masters over 35, Open, Juniors (U18) and Women’s. Entry includes a free competition T-shirt.

Deadline for entries will be 4th October, unless there is space available in the surfers chosen category.

We are also very pleased that although not forming part of their contest series, the event is being endorsed by the British Longboard Union (BLU).

A big thank you to all our sponsors and supporters who help make this exciting event happen – Including Cornwall Council, Tubestation, Finisterre, Christian Surfers, Nineplus, Era water safety and Beagle Media

For further details contact on the contest, contact [email protected] or phone 07870830182, and for more information on Christian Surfers UK, including all the latest news on the events log onto christiansurfers.co.uk , and for more information on the Tubestation log onto tubestation.org

Click Here to register
12th Jesus Longboard Classic report (Oct 12th & 13th)

12th Jesus Longboard Classic report (Oct 12th & 13th)

After last year’s double postponements of this very popular event on the surfing longboard calendar, organisers Christian Surfers UK in partnership with Tubestation were very pleased to see the event take place at the first time of asking over the weekend of October 12 and 13th.
With around 75 of the U.K.’s top longboard surfers entered, the event was always going to be a great opportunity to get the longboard community together, enjoy some great hospitality and watch some top surfing action.

The event is part of the Jesus Surf Series which Christian Surfers UK has been running for 27 years as a way of serving the surfing community and which, due to its popularity, was split into two contests (the Jesus Longboard Classic and the Jesus Surf Classic) in order to provide a focus and additional capacity, which has proved extremely popular with all concerned.
The Christian surfers team support so many of the mainstream surfing events in the UK but these ones are always special as they run the complete event.

The event started with an 8am check-in and a free healthy breakfast for all the competitors at Tubestation with heats getting underway just before 9am. Surf on the Saturday was fairly lined up and on the turn of the tide some great surfing took place in some solid 3-4ft surf.
At the end of the first day around 20 heats been surfed and all the six categories were down to the semi-final or final stage.
One of the highlights of this event for many involved is at the start of the second day a very simple but thought-provoking ‘surfers blessing’ which is held in the Tubestation. Wildwood Kin member Meg Loney lead a reflection on the importance of the mustard seed, before fresh flowers and saltwater blessed each of the surfers that came up to the front.

From there the event moved into the final heats and despite the wind turning from light to quite ragged north-westerly the level of surfing remained high right the way through to the final heat in the men’s open.
Moving to the results, in an all Welsh over 60s (Legends) final (Sponsored by Old Guys Rule) Colin Bright yet again took the top spot ahead of fellow Llantwit surfers Peter Cosier and brother Gwyn, with Chris Taylor from Bridgend and Ray Sampson from Porthcawl bring up the rear.
In a hotly contested over 50s final Newquay’s Adam Zervas took the title ahead of Colin Bright, and in the most popular category of the event, the over 35’s, it was a great comeback from injury from Braunton’s Ashley Braunton ahead of Taunton’s Rob Davin, Damian Hooker third and Ben Clifton with his first trophy in fourth.

The Junior (U18’s) category was equally as well contested with on fire Jordan Zervas from Newquay beating young Eddie Roy Roynon from Penzance in a tight heat, with Gwill King in 3rd and Arthur Randall in 4th.

Whilst in the women’s division Emily Currie once again took victory ahead of Jen Pendlebury from Newquay, fellow Bude surfer Beth Leighfield, and Ella Harrison doing well in fourth position. In the men’s division, with current title holder Ben Howey getting married this weekend to the lovely Sammy Patterson (Congrats to both of them) there was always going to be a new name on the trophy and in a tightly contested final Jersey visitor Josh le Marquand made the trip over worth it, taking the victory ahead of Jordan’s Zervas, Ashley Braunton in third and Andy Gale getting onto the podium for the first time.

This event could not be run without some great partners and sponsors and this year our sponsors included Nineplus, Finisterre and Old Guys Rule. A huge thanks goes to Era Adventures for water cover, Beagle Media for the video edit that will be with us soon, BLU and Hotdoggers for ongoing support and photographer, Andy Holter. Final thanks of course go to the amazing staff at Tubestation and all the volunteers from Christian Surfers UK who give their time freely for the weekend, and God for providing waves.

Next year’s 13th event has been pencilled in for October 17 and 18th 2020

Contest director Phil Williams said ‘It is always great catching up with the longboard community and when you combine the hospitality of Tubestation, the volunteers from Christian Surfers, and the surfers themselves, this event is always one of my favourites. This year was no exception and by the sounds of the response from surfers involved it continues to be very popular and enjoyable event, and another great opportunity to serve the Surfing community’

For more details of the work of Christian Surfers UK log on to christiansurfers.co.uk and for more details and pictures of the event checkout our Facebook pages, Christian Surfers UK and Jesus Surf Series CSUK.

Next events for CSUK include the two UK Pro Surf tour events in Wales (October 18 19) and Watergate Bay (November 9) where they will be part sponsoring the event as well as working alongside the event organisers Dave Reed and the UK pro surf tour team. All in all, it’s been a pretty busy year.

Photos: Andrew Holter

11th Jesus Longboard Classic

11th Jesus Longboard Classic

The Jesus Longboard Classic has for many years been a significant event in the UK longboard surfing calendar, but unfortunately due to too much surf, or lack of surf, the 2018 event had to be postponed twice. However, the organising team decided that there was a real enthusiasm to re-run the event early in the new year to kick-off the competition season for the longboard community, hence the new date of 23rd and 24th March 2019.
Everybody involved had a really fun weekend and with around 80 entries in six categories, it was a busy one for the organisers Christian Surfers UK and their host partners Tubestation in Polzeath.

The event is part of the Jesus Surf Series which Christian Surfers UK has been running for 27 years as a way of serving the surfing community and which, due to its popularity, was split into two contests (the Jesus Longboard Classic and the Jesus Surf Classic) in order to provide a focus and additional capacity and which has proved extremely popular with all concerned.
Saturday morning dawned with three foot waves, breakfast and hospitality for all involved at Tubestation and by around 9am heats got underway and carried through till 5:20pm. Surfing on the first day is always a mix of those who take it pretty seriously and those who perhaps have entered the event for the first time as they have heard how welcoming everybody is.

After around 20 heats on the first day, the semi-finals draw was set up for Sunday and the contestants in the Open Men’s and Women’s finals already known. One highlight of the Open Men’s semi-final was Ben Howey and Elliot Dudley going head-to-head, with both scoring over 16 points; on this occasion Elliott Dudley just pipped Ben, but all was set for a great final day.
From day one of this event the Surfers Blessing has always been a key focus; a reflective 20 minutes organised by the Tubestation team giving people the opportunity to start Sunday thinking about various things. This year the focus was ‘community’, the importance of it and of being there for people; no better illustrated than by the longboarding community and the role of Tubestation in the area.

With ten heats remaining on the last day the surfing continued to improve and at around 1.30pm the presentations took place. In a packed Tubestation speeches were heard, trophies, cheques and prizes handed out, thanks given and all involved agreed it was a fantastic weekend and a good decision to persevere.

Regarding the winners some of the highlights were :
Wales’ Colin Bright appearing in three finals including the Legends division (60+) beating brother Gwyn and the rest of the Welsh contingent. Arthur Randell taking out the U18s division and very generously donating his first prize of an Indo Board to the Tubestation for their future use; top bloke.
Fantastic surfing in both the 35+ (Masters) and 50+ (Grandmasters) with Sam Bleakley taking the younger title and Mark Goodright the senior title. Both the Men’s and Women’s finals were really exciting affairs with Emily Currie beating Beth Leighfield to retain her title from the previous event, and in a very, very close tussle Ben Howey just pipped James Parry to the championship by 0.1 point, retaining his title !!

This event could not be run without some great partners and sponsors and this year our sponsors included Nineplus, Finisterre, Old Guys Rule, Bird Sunglasses and Indo Board. A huge thanks goes to Era Adventures for water cover, Beagle Media for the video edit that will be with us soon, BLU and Hotdoggers for ongoing support and photographer, Andy Holter. Final thanks of course go to the amazing staff at Tubestation and all the volunteers from Christian Surfers UK who give their time freely for the weekend, and God for providing waves and indeed sunshine on finals day.

Christian Surfers UK events continue throughout the summer including the 25th anniversary National Gathering June 21st – 23rd, the 27th Jesus Surf Classic at Croyde in September (14th & 15th) and the 12th Jesus Longboard Classic October 12th & 13th.

For more details of the work of Christian Surfers UK log on to christiansurfers.co.uk and for more details and pictures of the event via the links on our Facebook pages, Christian Surfers UK and Jesus Surf Series CSUK

RESULTS

LEGENDS 60+

1: Colin Bright
2: Gwyn Bright
3: Chris Taylor
4: Peter Cosier
5: Ray Samson

JUNIOR (U18)

1: Arthur Randell
2: Barnaby Innes
3:Esmee Gregorius
4: Dylan Cummings

GRANDMASTERS 50+

1: Mark Goodnight
2: Steve Harrison
3: Colin Bright
4: Steve Broad

MASTERS 35+

1: Sam Bleakley
2: Colin Bright
3: Owen Stoneman
4: Damien Hookeron

WOMAN

1:Emily Currie
2:Beth Leighfield
3:Claire Email
4:Tina Beresford

OPEN

1: Elliot Dudley
2: Ben Howey
3: James Parry
4: Sam Bleakley

2019 Jesus Longboard Classic rerun from 2018

2019 Jesus Longboard Classic rerun from 2018

Jesus Longboard Classic 2018 – Re-scheduled date agreed for March 2019
It looks like being an exciting year for the UK longboard community after Monday’s announcement of the ISA World Longboard Championships being held in France in late May 2019.
A second piece of exciting news (not quite on the same level) which we hope the longboard community appreciate, regards the cancelled 2018 Jesus Longboard Classic. After much consultation with the hosts Tubestation, individuals, key organisations and clubs including BLU and Hotdoggers, organiser Christian Surfers UK has decided to re schedule the event for 23 – 24 March 2019, which should kick start the new longboard contest season.
Due to the ongoing popularity of the event (over 80 registered for the previous date) entries are limited, so we would advise you to get your entry in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. The portal is now open, just follow the link here.

The event will be held over the weekend of 23 – 24 March 2019 at its traditional venue of Polzeath, North Cornwall. All the various things that go along with this contest, the great vibe, hospitality in the Tubestation and exciting surfing will be there again, and perhaps a few extra surprises. Back by popular demand will be the Legends 60+ category; this will be restricted to a maximum of eight surfers – first come, first served. In addition we will also be holding the following categories: Grand Masters 50+, Masters 35+, Men’s Open, Women’s Open and Juniors U18.

Entries will be strictly limited, and we will be confirming entries and giving competitors update information via e-mail, so please ensure if registering you include your current e-mail address and please also check your junk mail folders for mail [email protected] . This will make sure that everyone receives confirmation of their entry place. Entry includes a free competition T-shirt.

Feel free to forward this update to your friends. Deadline for entries will be 18 March, unless there is space available in your chosen category. We very much look forward to having you with us again this year as we start the Jesus Surf Series. We are always keen to receive feedback as we continue to look for new and innovative ways to serve you, the surfing community.

A big thank you to our confirmed sponsors and supporters who help make this exciting event happen – Tubestation, Finisterre, Bird Sunglasses, Old Guys Rule, and Beagle – with more to follow. Era will be providing water safety cover as they have done in previous years.
A further date for your diaries is 12th and 13th of October when the 2019 Jesus Longboard classic will also be held at Polzeath.
If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact us [email protected]

Many thanks in advance, and for all latest news check out christiansurfers.co.uk or join the Jesus Surf Series CSUK Facebook page

Note – The 27th Jesus Surf Classic this year will be held at its usual venue of Croyde Bay, over the weekend of September 14th & 15th

Photos: Christian Surfers