Just got back from Newquay and the British Surfing titles, which included a "Stand Up Paddle Board" division. Having lived on Sydney Northern Beaches from the age of 5, I didnt expect the UK to be so into surfing and so professional with contests. The roads in Corwall and Newquay are filled with surf shops and there are people having surfing lessons everyhwere.

Back to the contest--Sponsored by Quiksilver and VW, hundres of people on the beach, pro judges, small on shore surf for the heats, and a real buzz in the air.

I was lucky enough to qualify for entry, as I have a UK passport, and made it through the heats and semi - through to the final on my 8"6 Laguna Bay.

Luckily the swell picked up for the final, but the competition was tough in the final, with some ex longboard champs doin their thing ( for all us short board SUP's, we need to walk the board). Water was warm, surfed the final in boardies !!!

More photos to follow, stoked to be part of the contest, and very impressed with the welcome I received from the local guys. Stoked !

More photos and video to follow.

Wow Gareth big effort just to rock up and make the final , I bet your board got alot of attention , was it the shortest one there.

You made a really relevant comment on the Mal surfers , there progressive style is starting to work into judges minds as the norm , something I totally disgree with.

Again top effort on making the final , look forward to the pics.

Piros

Here are some snaps, 1st heat, on shore dribble.

check out the bride and groom !!

Hotel on the hill, nice backdrop.


My number 1 fan, my daughter and official paddle carrier.

Heh, I remember from the thread when your board was new and you were getting ready to go over to the UK. Good to see its earned its airfare!

Its only like 26" wide or something isnt it

Great to see the Laguna Bay kicking A$$

Hey Piros,

I think that SUP has to combine all skills as they arnt really a short board.

Guys like Lummers and JC have the whole field covered and thats the way the judges are moving.

If it was all about short board, wouldnt you go see the ASP???

Phill

goatman said...



PS: well done Gareth, awesome result mate, I know there are some good surfers in the UK. The pics brought back memories of competing there in 89 for the goatie worlds.

How did you go in 89 ?? I remember years ago surfing Winki when you were out and you "pulling in" with the paddle under your arm. Are we going to see the same with the SUP paddle?

Lobes said...

Heh, I remember from the thread when your board was new and you were getting ready to go over to the UK. Good to see its earned its airfare!

Its only like 26" wide or something isnt it

Yep, it is narrow, 27.5- i thought it was narrower. I can tell you there was no prize money, and doubt if there ever will be for me. Very good fun though.

rogerthecat said...

Well done Gareth, couple of well know faces in that winners line up.
What kind of reception did you get?


Cheers Roger, yeh, really good reception, maybe different if I had won. Are you going to the BSUPA event at Watergate Bay in October.

OG sup,
You were not at the aussie nationals, it was an inconsistant one foot at best. The best riders won, thats no doubt but you draw a long bow with this longboard crap. I would say its too early to tell and see what happens if its bigger than 3-4 foot. Fair chance same guys will win but I am sure they will choose different boards.
Regards,
Scotty

Hey Gareth, you still in the UK?
If so, whereabouts?

rogerthecat said...

Hey Gareth, you still in the UK?
If so, whereabouts?

Guildford, South of London. Really impressed with the Gower in Wales, looks like the waves could be really good.

I cant believe how many people surf in the UK, and the standard is really high.

I agree Piros, i thought this discussion was passe?sup is sup not short not long.Having said that ,i will say again,too many guys do not appreciate that a lot of boards respond very well to walking foreward on sup even 9-6 etc increased speed,and a good stalling tactic.

Piros said...

goatman said...

I reckon the judges are moving that way cause the guys making decisions at the OZ titles were all longboarders. I reckon guys like JC and Matt ride like that because they have 'mal' like sups (round noses).

I know this is a 'can of worms' but I reckon there eventually will be 2 divisions for SUP surf contests much the same way that there are multiple divisions for racing. Personally I am very keen to compete but have no intention of riding a 'mal' style sup. And I don't think either style should be disadvantaged.

I think shortboard SUP (or whatever you want to call it) will develop it's own types of manoeuvres that are not like shortboarding or longboarding but are unique to the type of craft that it is.

PS: well done Gareth, awesome result mate, I know there are some good surfers in the UK. The pics brought back memories of competing there in 89 for the goatie worlds.

My gripe is the word "Progressive" in the judging terminology for Supping .This is a Mal term for a certain style of Mal riding. I'm not saying at all that Sup's should be judged as short board style but simply as a SUP with big rad moves or smooth flowing turns & nose rides , the sports new let it evolve and don't box it into corner.

Piros