SURF COMP

from Boardmasters

by Steve Bough

MINDFUL EATING

2021 marked 40 years since the very beginning of Boardmasters

Surf Competition in 1981BY CAILIN WHEATLEY

81’ didn’t fail to entertain either. After a tense semi-final between Welsh Carwyn Williams and South African Shaun Tompson, Aussie surfing luminaries, Cheyne Horan and Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew painted the waves in the final with their impeccable surfing performance. This is why Australia was and still is the home and art of surfing culture. They battled it out only to receive a tie!

Not only has the style of the wetsuit changed since the 1980’s, but the progression, expectations, and standards of surfing from as young as 12 have absolutely rocketed. Who would have thought that Tom Curren’s simple yet shockingly influential invention of the double pump bottom turn in the 80’s has become second nature for surfers today? Where less than 40 years later, it’s ordinary for kids to be throwing faultless airs across the shoreline; so speedy you have to double take to make sure it wasn’t a bird. Youngsters have reflected what true innovation looks like since the birth of surfing, but the older rippers still prove why they are the best in the game. After a year of doubt with Covid-19, 2021 brought nothing but solidarity and exceptional surf amongst the British surf community.

‘Surfing is a resilient and Still taking place at Newquay’s finest break, Fistral Beach, the comp has welcomed some of the world’s lifelong ultimate surfing influences, from the likes of Kelly Slater, Occy, and Taj Burrow. But nothing beats watching the locals, young and old, tear up their home break year after year whilst letting impressive outsiders from as close as Croyde and Bude, to the coasts of Wales, show them what they’re missing. Although, this year gave us a taste of what the thriving new generation has to offer. It didn’t hinder the multiple British title winning 32-year-old surfer, Jayce Robinson, from taking 1st place at this year’s comp. If anything, it showed fresh faces that surfing is a resilient and lifelong sport.

MARTIN POTTER WINNER OF 84’ & 87 What used to be a QS surf event, meaning the surfers would compete with the aspiration of qualifying for the championship tour (the biggest platform for modern competitive surfing), was run as a British Open event this year. There were tasty cash prizes on offer of up to £8000.

Think you have got what it takes to beat this year’s champs? You can register for Pro Surf Membership at the UKPSA who runs the Boardmasters surf comp here: https://ukprosurf.com/membership/