The popularity of the Jesus Surf Classic in Croyde, organised by Christian Surfers UK continues to grow now in its 24th year. With a week to go most of the categories are already full with around 140 competitors registered, which will mean a busy weekend for all the organisers, judges and officials.
The 24th Jesus Surf Classic comes to its North Devon home once again over the weekend of 10th – 11th September, with eight divisions being run, and weather permitting, the mobile skatepark will be back again.
The Jesus Surf Classic is organised and run by Christian Surfers UK and this year there is over £2000 of prize money to be shared between the eight categories, with the Open Men’s surfing champion receiving £300. This year we are increasing the Ladies open winner cheque to the same amount for the first time. Last year’s hugely successful 23rd event, was oversubscribed but was a fantastic weekend both in the water and with the skatepark action and other attractions on land.
As before, over 100 Christian Surfers volunteers from around the country will be involved in organising the weekend, making it ideal for competitors, supporters and, of course, their families. There will be a skate park, marquee and BBQ, and surf and skate movies will be shown on the large TV throughout the weekend. There will be a Big Move skateboard competition on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (weather permitting) at the purpose-built skate park. We are looking forward to seeing lots of skaters coming down to this event once again.
One new innovation for this year will be a variety of individuals and bands playing some acoustic music throughout both days in the contest marquee. We are excited about adding music to the event, and looking forward to listening to the performers.
Competition is always fierce and last year Bude’s Liam Turner took the Open event, with Emily Currie taking victory in the Open Women’s division, along with a cheque for £250 and trophy. It is also, however, a great opportunity for those wishing to enter their first competition in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The hotly contested Groms division (U12) was won by Bude’s Stanley Norman, and the equally competitive Masters (Over 35’s) was won for the second year running by Paul Kirby from Bude.
The Jesus Surf Classic has become one of the biggest and longest running surf contests in the UK, and Christian Surfers UK are once again very much looking forward to hosting it at one of the best beach breaks on the north coast, Croyde Bay.
Currently all the men’s categories are FULL, with some people already on the waiting list, and just a few spaces remaining in the women’s and the under 18 women’s. For any women or girls looking to grab the last few spaces available go to the online booking portalwww.christiansurfers.co.uk/register
As before, working closely with Parkdean Holidays, those camping at the Parkdean site will have access to a special 2 1/2-day rate which means contestants and supporters don’t have to move off their pitch early on Sunday morning. Please request this when making a booking for the campsite.
The dates for the ninth Jesus Longboard Classic have also been confirmed and this will take place over the weekend of 15th – 16th October at its traditional venue of Polzeath, using the Tubestation as its contest base.
With great hospitality guaranteed and a great bunch of volunteers, this event continues to grow in popularity, so again ensure you get your entries in once the online portal opens on 12th September. The Jesus Longboard Classic has a well-deserved reputation for its friendly atmosphere and relaxed vibe, as well as the later rounds being highly competitive.
This year, for the first time there will be five categories, sharing over £1000 in prize money: Open, Women’s, Junior (U18) and Masters (over 35) and for the first time a new Grand Masters Over 50s division.
All previous competitors will be sent an entry link, and you will be able to pay online or by cheque.
For more information please contact Phil Williams at [email protected]
Bonomelli continued his tear through the early rounds. – WSL / Laurent Masurel
The Boardmasters, Cornwall resumed in cleaner two-foot surf under a bright Cornish sun and saw competitors from almost all divisions take part in the second day of competition.
The remaining four heats of the QS Men’s Round 3 were first completed and witnessed the surprise eliminations of local favorites Alan Stokes, Luke Dillon and Kit Innes.
In the afternoon, men longboarders entered their final regional event of the season, and while the European title was decided at the previous stop in Galicia, surfers went out just as motivated to conquer the coveted Boardmasters trophy.
Newquay waterman Ben Skinner (GBR), 31, left no chance to his opponents in his opening matchup on home turf, and controlled the heat from start to finish with authority. The former event winner edged out Emilien Fleury to advance into the quarters where he’ll be facing compatriot Adam Griffiths (GBR).
“I’m so stoked just to be at home, it’s so nice after the three events and a lot of travelling,” Skinner commented. “Boardmasters has a 31-year history of some amazing events, as I was a kid it’s always something I looked up to so now to have the longboarders be part of it is amazing. I started surfing this event about eight years ago I think and have won it a couple of times, so I’m definitely looking to add one event title to my resume this year.”
Skinner’s salute to the huge crowds gathered at Fistral. – WSL / Laurent Masurel
“That’s just a whole different feeling being at home and having my wife and kids, and all the support from everyone down here it’s pretty special,” he continued. “There’s a lot going on for sure but I love it, even the distractions.”
Defending event champion Edouard Delpero (FRA), 26, bounced back after an early elimination in the QS division yesterday with a solid win in the over 9-foot board category. The young Frenchman found a better rhythm and negotiated the flat sections perfectly to post an impressive 14.74 heat total for his quarterfinal ticket.
Edouard Delpero knows a thing or two about nose-riding, too. – WSL / Laurent Masurel
“It’s complicated out there and you really have to be active, scouring the lineup to find the little ones that reform and offer a longer wall,” he reflected. “Unfortunately yesterday I couldn’t find the right waves, but today it was a little bit easier on a longboard and I managed to do ok. This event is awesome, very different from what we’re used to and a nice little escape in the summer. I hope I can continue to surf well and maybe even beat my brother for once if we do surf against each other later in the event.”
Said brother, Antoine Delpero (FRA), 30, rounded up the day with an uncharacteristic average performance, but enough to see him move into the quarters as well where he’ll match up with local Brit Sam Bleakley (GBR).
Bleakley will look to upset the current European Champion in the quarters. – WSL / Laurent Masurel
More information on the full festival lineup is available at boardmasters.co.uk.
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are scheduled from August 10-14, 2016 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Boardmasters, Cornwall are supported by Surfers Against Sewage, Carve Mag, Corona, Relentless, Cornish Orchid, The Stable and MagicSeaWeed among others.
REMAINING BOARDMASTERS MEN’S QS RD3 RESULTS:
Heat 5: Bruce MacKie (BRB) 11.00, Tristan Guilbaud (FRA) 10.50, Che Allan (BRB) 9.56, Lens Arancibia Avila (FRA) 7.73
Heat 6: Monty Tait (AUS) 15.10, Jake Marshall (USA) 13.24, Chris Friend (AUS) 11.07, Alan Stokes (GBR) 7.60
Heat 7: Angelo Bonomelli (ITA) 10.76, Louis Gillick (AUS) 8.34, Luke Dillon (GBR) 8.10, Shaun Burns (USA) 6.67
Heat 8: Arthur Lassee (FRA) 8.30, Jayce Robinson (GBR) 8.00, Jared Hickel (AUS) 7.30, Kit Innes (GBR) 3.00
UPCOMING BOARDMASTERS MEN’S LQS QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS:
QF 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) vs. Adam Griffith (GBR)
QF 2: Emilien Fleury (FRA) vs. Josh Le Marquand (JEY)
QF 3: Edouard Delpero (FRA) vs. Ben Howey (GBR)
QF 4: Sam Bleakley (GBR) vs. Antoine Delpero (FRA)
BOARDMASTERS MEN’S LQS RD2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Ben Skinner (GBR) 14.33, Emilien Fleury (FRA) 14.30, Izaak Lawton (GBR) 7.23, Robin Henry (FRA) 7.17
Heat 2: Josh Le Marquand (JEY) 10.33, Adam Griffith (GBR) 9.84, Joe Hornbuckle (GBR) 7.07, Jordan Zervas (GBR) 5.53
Heat 3: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 14.74, Sam Bleakley (GBR) 10.87, Edward Wilson (GBR) 8.14, Martin John (GBR) 3.74
Heat 4: Antoine Delpero (FRA) 11.23, Ben Howey (GBR) 8.83, Jack Unsworth (GBR) 8.07, Stephan Hudson (GBR) 2.90
BOARDMASTERS MEN’S LQS RD1 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Emilien Fleury (FRA) 16.00, Jordan Zervas (GBR) 7.03, Louis Thomas Hudson (GBR) 6.33
Heat 2: Josh Le Marquand (JEY), Robin Henry (FRA)
Heat 3: Martin John (GBR) 4.60, Stephan Hudson (GBR) 3.44, Russel Mullins (GBR) 1.00
Heat 4: Ben Howey (GBR) 14.10, Edward Wilson (GBR) 6.57, Toby Lowe (GBR) 4.13
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