“The Ben Haworth”

Congratulation to Ben Haworth, the nibble footed Longboard rider who rode to victory at Saunton Hotdoggers 4th League event at the weekend. The win secured him the league title as well. His “Hang 10′s” in the final were great and got everyone on the beach hooting, the the other competitors lagging far behind.

“Porthcothan”

I’ve sloped off across the border for a few days of family fun & sun at our favourite Cornish spot. Since the Bank holiday crowds have cleared out we’ve pretty much had the place to ourselves. Nice pulse of swell early in the week was pretty fun and with solid conditions predicted for the next couple of days it looks like its going to be interesting, just got to work out how many spots I can hit in 48hrs.

“Slick times”

Despite the lack of sun I still managed to find a rainbow today, no gold though…..maybe next time eh?

“2010 Devon Surf Team”

This is the happy crew I joined for a raiding party on the Spainish Maine.  The Devon team arrived to chants of “Green Army” and left a trail of amused & bemused locals as we went. Didn’t have great waves, but we had fantastic team spirit that grew as the trip progressed. Big thanks to everyone who made the teams participation possible. One day you’ll hear all the stories…but for now, just the facts!!

After the 24-hour, cabin fever inducing ferry crossing, the team, comprising some of North Devon’s top riders, arrived in Santander, the capital of Cantabria.

Following Devon’s first appearance last year, when Ben Haworth rode to victory in the longboard open, the team are back and thrilled at the chance of taking on our European neighbours again.

Arriving a couple of days early gave everyone a chance to get in some wave time at Liencres, the local swell magnet.

There was also some serious coaching and video analysis with Croyde Surf Club head coach Scott Rannochan and some brutal fitness training from all-round hell-man Andrew Cotton.

The Games kicked off on Sunday with a parade through the centre of Santander.

The Devon team joined more than 300 other competitors from ten European regions, cheered by thousands of spectators thronging the streets.

Standard-bearers Alex Gibson, of Ilfracombe, and Laura Crane, of Georgeham, flew the flag for North Devon in style, leading the team to the sounds of Breton bagpipes and Dubstep.

The team also received a surprise visit from Croyde’s Lyndon Wake following his early finish in the Oakley 2010 San Sebastian European Pro Junior, where he was knocked out in the fourth round.

The official opening in the city’s main square may have signalled the start of the event for most of the other sports involved, including diving and sailing disciplines, but the surfers were left frustrated by the lack of waves which forced a lay-day early in the week.

Spirits was high though, especially with the coverage the Spanish media has lavished on the team.

Rob Whitney, team leader, said: “I feel honoured to be leading such a talented group of surfers at such a prestigious event and flying the flag for Devon.

“On behalf of the whole team I want to thank all the sponsors who have made this trip possible and the hard work put in by Devon water officer Isabelle Bromham from North Devon+.”

Croyde ripper Beau Bromham enjoyed the parade.

“It was really impressive, a much bigger deal than the World Surf Championships in January,” he said.

The Comp

Following a layday forced by lack of swell the surfing commenced with organisers running 2 contest peaks half a mile apart.

Simon Daly and Scott Rannochan had a hard task against some of Europes finest . Daly went out for first blood and took a while to get going in his heat due to lack of decent waves, but when a left open up for him, suddenly the opposition took fright at his backhand attack closing him out and getting him on an interference.

Scott meanwhile made the most of the waves that came his way making it to the quarters finishing a respectable 9^th.

The Billabong duo of Lucy Campbell and Laura Crane at just 15 years of age arrived at the quarter finals of the Womens Open, but with stacked heats and terrible surf the girls struggled against much older and experienced riders. It was a case of the luck of the draw not going their way as the other heats could easily have seen the 2 girls dominate.

The Devon super groms were a credit to the team, 12 year old Alex Gibson made it to the semis where he had a really tough heat against much more experienced surfers in the U14′s but still secured 3^rd behind 2 eventual finalists. Throw in at the deep end, Taz Knight also met his match in a semi that saw him pitted against Bruno Reinhardt and winner Mikel Zamakona in a division with riders 3 years his senior.

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“I was really impressed with the standard of surfing displayed by the Devon team, they did us proud.” said Open surfer and team coach Scott Rannochan.

In the U18 division both Jack Hough and Beau Bromham put in sterling performances drawing praise from other teams. Though initially nervous, Jack Hough gave his all in the shocking conditions on podium 1 to grab 2^nd place in his heat. The smile as he came out of the water to rapturous team applause told its own story. Jack eventually bowed out in the quarter finals

Beau surfed well impressing the judges and other competitors with his fast fluid style and powerful turns that saw him progress to the semis amongst older and more experienced riders from the European cicuit.

“I was impressed by the groms Alex Gibson and Taz Knight. And I was delighted with Jack Hough who showed great maturity getting to the quarter finals.” said team leader Rob Whitney.

Animal team rider Zak Lawton got off to a flying start in the U18 longboard absolutely tearing the waves apart with impressive combos of smooth powerful turns and noserides posting the highest score of the round by quite some margin.

Disaster struck however when he dislocated his knee before the semis. Though keen to continue Zak made the difficult choice to withdraw from the contest, to a huge sigh of relief from his opponents who acknowledged his prowess.

“I’m so disappointed, I had a great heat and knew I could go all the way. I’m just hoping for a quick recovery in time for the BLU contest in early September.” said Zak

Greg Norman made put on a fine display of stylish waveriding that saw him progress to the quarter finals in less that ideal conditions on podium 2. It was left to the big man Greg Robinson with his powerful yet smooth style, to bring back the silverware for Devon by storming his to final where he was rewarded with a podium finish.

“To make the podium was great, the team were cheering me on and waving flags, I’m fizzing” said Tiki sponsored rider Greg.

“Spirits where high and the whole Devon team bonded well and worked as a unit which got results in all areas, which was impressive as actually most of them were punching well above their weight in the age groups they had been entered in.” said Andrew Cotton

“North Devon+ is proud to have made participation in the Games possible for the second year running. These games raise awareness of North Devon to an international audience and they showcase the exceptional talent of our athletes” Said North Devon+ water-sports officer Isabelle Bromham. “We’d like to see Devon become part of the International Committee. We’ve already been approached by the Committee about hosting the Games which would provide a great boost to the local economy”.

Congratulations to the team and all the sponsors, organisations and individuals who’s hard work made their participation in the contest possible, and here’s to you Mr Robinson.

Under 14′s

Alex Gibson 7^th

Under 16′s

Taz Knight 8^th

Under 18′s

Jack Hough 9^th

Beau Bromham 6^th

Womens Open

Laura Crane 12^th

Lucy Campbell 12^th

Open

Simon Daly 13^th

Scott Rannochan 9^th

Longboard Under 18′s

Zak Lawton: 7^th then out through injury

Longboard Open

Greg Norman 9^th

Greg Robinson 3^rd

Down in not so sunny Spain (though the clouds just staring to break)  with the Devon Surf Team at the Atlantic water sports games 2010. Things are going well…. barr the odd missing phone, lack of swell and  occasional monsoon, more like Devon than I’d imagined. We’ve done the marching and a cheering and following todays layday the competition begins tommorrow with 1st round of the mens open at 9. Good luck everyone…keep you posted.

Poppy claims victory

The North Devon interclubs was hosted by Woolacombe Boardriders over the weekend. With Saunton Hotdoggers running their rescheduled 60′s Style Masters it turned into an old-fashion Croyde v Woolacombe face-off….without the fisticuffs off old.

North Devon Interclubs 2010

Neil Clifton with Paul Barrington cluttering up the background	The waves weren’t great, but the sun shone, the redbull flowed and a good time vibe permeated the air as the tunes pumped from the Redbull disco wagon. Barrington cunningly organised the check-in with high tide, leaving competitors a few hours to hang out, socialise and talk tactics before Combesgate was even surf-able.
The groms were in the water first and it was Croyde surf club who drew first blood. They went on to race to a clear 3 point lead before Woolacombe managed to claw a few back.	Taz Knight just hanging out looking cool

Highlights from the delay include Scott having a meltdown as everyone went for a freesurf and Taz disappered for some scram almost missing his heat.

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In the end Croyde took the win by quite a margin. The contest packed up and it was all back to Bar Electric for the booze and burgers. Well done to everyone involved…same time next year anyone?

“Croyde, low tide and bring lifeguards!”.

A curious writer wanted to get involved with the rips, currents and conditions that cause so many problems for the RNLI, especially this time of year. I was happy to document his foray into the wet-zone with RNLI lifeguard Robbie Lamb.

Getting smashed

Watching a guy get smashed is funny, but I was soon lured by the barrels detonating on the banks. I Body-surfed a few kegs hooting like a loon and even got a few nice wave shots. Not sure what our jurno friend made of it all but the 2 Rob’s had fun, with exhaustion etched on face we knew time was up. Good fun and I’m looking forward to an intresting piece on near-death experiences…….

erm…where is he!

Following a manic few weeks of editing/teaching/journo-snapping/ late night papping/code hacking busy-ness I found myself with an almost weekend off….what to do? Retreat to the bunker and bash on with more designs/posters/blog updates is what…happy days

Goldcoast  2010 Gallery

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U12 Open

1 – Harry de Roth
2 – Max Payne
3 – Will Bailey
4 – Liam Murray Strout