4th May 2009
Fryer tames monster surf in English Open Championships at Watergate Bay.
Thumping double-overhead waves provided the canvas for an impressive display of surfing at Watergate Bay this weekend (2nd and 3rd May 2009) in the new format English Open Championships.
With Saturday’s pulsing 6 to 8ft swell on the limit of contestable conditions, organisers opted to run only the elite Open division. But by Sunday the waves had dropped to a more manageable 4ft, allowing all eight divisions to be completed in fun, albeit choppy, surf.
Newquay-based Johnny Fryer claimed the presitigious Open division title in a closely-fought heat. Any of the four finalists - who included Cornishmen Josh Ward, Andrew Griffen and Shaun Skilton - would have been worthy winners.
“It was a crazy final,” said a delighted Johnny Fryer after receiving his trophy as the English Open champion. “The boys were all ripping, there were a lot of waves ridden, and it must have been super, super close. Before the final I really wanted to win this, but everyone was ripping so I thought I was out of it. I’ve wanted to win this for ages. I’ve been second and third before and I just didn’t want another second. It feels great.”
In the Longboard Open, Newquay surfer Ben Skinner’s recent run of form continued as he beat off competition from defending champion Ben Haworth to win, while Candice O’Donnell retained her Women’s Longboard title.
Just four weeks ago both Skinner and O’Donnell were standing on the podium in Tapia, Spain, having won their respective European qualifying events for the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Longbord Tour. For Skinner, another win reinforces his position as Europe’s top longboard surfer.
“It’s been really good month, I’m having a good time,” said an enthusiastic Ben. “I surfed yesterday in the Open and it was really hard work. Everyone was taking 20 minutes to paddle out, but the waves were really good.
“We were lucky with the waves, and the event didn’t have a headline sponsor so to even be here is good in itself, and a lot of that is down to Pauly (Jeffery)’s hard work and the support of Tidal Productions and the Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay.”
The Isle of Wight’s Zoe Sheath won the Women’s Open division, edging out North Devon’s Sophie Hellyer.
In the Stand-up Paddle Surf division veteran longboarder Adam Zervas won the title for a second consecutive year.
Surfboard shaper Chris Harris won the Senior (over 28) division; former European champion Spencer Hargraves won the Masters (over 35); and David Pearce claimed top spot in the Legends (over 45).
As well as the prestige of winning national titles, the top-placing surfers gain qualification for the English team, which will take part in the European championships in Jersey from 26th September to 4th October.
“Our surfers don’t often get the chance to prove themselves in decent waves, but they certainly did on Saturday, and they certainly impressed me and the judges,” said organiser Pauly Jeffery of the English Surfing Federation.
“There was a lot of committed surfing in some fairly chunky waves. There was a lot of paddling, a lot of hard work, and the good surfers got rewarded. I would also like to thank the RNLI and Watergate Bay SLSC for providing safety cover for the event, particularly on the Saturday.”
The Extreme Academy’s next event is the Zapcat King of the Surf series on 13th and 14th June, while the country’s top longboard surfers return the following weekend for the Extreme Academy Midsummer Classic on 20th and 21st June.
Results
Open
1st Johnny Fryer
2nd Josh Ward
3rd Andrew Griffen
4th Shaun Skilton
Women’s Open
1st Zoe Sheath
2nd Sophie Hellyer
3rd Hannah Harding
4th Carrie Edwards
Longboard Open
1st Ben Skinner
2nd James Parrey
3rd Adam Griffiths
4th Ben Haworth
Women’s Longboard
1st Candice O’Donnell
2nd Nicola Bunt
3rd Marina Lee
4th Zoe Sheath
Senior (Over 28)
1st Chris Harris
2nd Eugene Tollemache
3rd Spencer Hargraves
4th Joe Moran
Masters (Over 35)
1st Spencer Hargraves
2nd Chris Harris
3rd Callum Morrell
4th Paul Barlow
Legends (Over 45)
1st David Pearce
2nd Jed Stone
3rd Tony Good
4th Laurence Couch
Stand-up Paddle Surf
1st Adam Zervas
2nd Alex Murray
3rd Nick Healey
4th Tim Mellors
ENDS
Images
High resolution print-ready images can be downloaded here.
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| Surfer Johnny Fryer competing in the English National Surfing Championships. |
2009 English Open Champion Johnny Fryer in action. |
Surfer Reubin Pearce competing in the English National Surfing Championships. |
Spectators at the English National Surfing Championships.
Photo: Jason Feast. |
Notes For Editors
The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay is one of Britain’s leading venues for beach sports and events. Founded in 1999, the Extreme Academy comprises specialist schools for surfing, kitesurfing, waveski, stand-up paddlesurf and mountainboarding; technical equipment hire; and the Extreme Store, stocking a wide range of clothing and technical equipment. The Beach Hut, located on the ground floor of the Extreme Academy, is well known as Cornwall’s coolest beach hangout, and a great place to eat. www.watergatebay.co.uk
The Hotel, Watergate Bay has emerged from a £2 million programme of investment as a must-visit beach destination. With the public areas and bedrooms all refurbished in the past three years, the décor is beach house chic throughout. The contemporary modern look, award-winning dining and relaxed atmosphere are only topped by The Hotel’s unbeatable location right on the beach. www.watergatebay.co.uk
Media Contact - PR on behalf of The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay
For more information and images contact: Jim Michell at Barefoot Media.
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 895089 Email: jim@barefootmedia.co.uk |
