Jess Memorial Surf Competition

The Jess Memorial Surf Competition 25th September 2021

After missing a year of our surf competition,because of Covid, we were wondering whether to hold another one but after talking to locals, and especially youngsters, we decided to go ahead so the 10th Jess Surf Competition took place. I couldn’t believe how many turned up for registration: 87 contestants! So a very busy time to get everyone into their heats, particularly as some were entering more than one category. We got the frst heats of the U12s in frst by 9am in perfect surf of 2 - 3 foot and the early morning mist had rolled away so good spectator watching from Tristram clifs. We’d like to pay our respects to the late Rob Harris who always supported the event and will be greatly missed. The heats usually last twenty minutes, but by late afternoon trying to get fnished before dark we had to have ffteen minute heats and fnished by 7pm! The surf height was perfect for everyone so there was a very high standard of surfng. Scores were very close in some of the heats and it was so nice to see all the young ones coming and entering and enjoying. A lot of families enter and watch, which also makes it a social event. The judges, headed by Dan, Jess’s brother and all his friends, take it in turn as some enter the competition as well. They do a fantastic job with only a couple of minutes between heats. Gwen (Jess’s sister) keeps the judges replenished with cofee, tea, biscuits and even bacon sandwiches she cooked up for them in the morning. The Wave Project had a surf therapy lesson going on in the morning and afternoon which is an amazing charity to help young people with problems and disabilities; so lovely to see them enjoying themselves and this is why we chose them as our designated charity again. They hold the surf therapy lessons at Polzeath, co-ordinated by Esme Lee, but now have many locations around the country. The Wave Project had a gazebo up by the event trailer and volunteers were selling rafe tickets for us, as well as taking donations and selling some of their products to raise funds. The surfers were well looked after by the Polzeath Surf Lifesaving Club headed up by Alex Roads; thank you to all and there weren’t any incidents, just a few weaver fsh stings which were treated by sitting with the injured foot in hot water and then it was

back in the sea for the next heat. The tandem category is always the most popular and some competitors were in fancy dress, entertaining the spectators by all doing diferent styles on the board! We then quickly cleared away and, loaded up with the trophies and prizes, headed down to the Valley Caravan Park, by kind permission of Mr Martin Taylor, to hold the evening event there for the frst time, which was ideal for the large numbers. Kato Harrison cooked up all the delicious food with help from Sarah Bray and staf which was soon eaten as everyone was very hungry. Thank you Kato and team. The lovely wooden surfboard trophies made by Rich ,Jess’s brother, and prizes were presented with Ann’s Cottage kindly donated all the 1st and 2nd prizes . The rafe was drawn after some live music by the Ecomods to get the evening going. A very big thank you to Jane Evans who had the task of contacting the local businesses who generously donated rafe prizes. Thank you to you all for supporting us to hold this popular event. We then relaxed and enjoyed all the live bands, Ecomods, Dave O’Neil, and fnished of with the legend of a band Mahoustic. Most people were up and dancing and enjoying themselves to the amazing music. It was a perfect end to a wonderful day to remember our dear daughter Jess. This event brings so much happiness to so many people and we are planing to hold it again next year, so keep practising. Thank you to everyone who helped, donated and took part. We raised a magnifcent amount of £3,507 for the Wave Project. Pam Solley

Results

Under 12 1st: Max Harbour 2nd: Finley Doyle 3rd: Isla Doyle Under 16 1st: Seth Doyle 2nd: George Rule-Hodson 3rd:Libby Evans Ladies 1st Libby Evans 2nd: Lisa Sutherland 3rd: Grace Bickersteth Men’s 1st: Sam Hearn 2nd: Paul Varcoe 3rd: Josh Letherbarrow Masters: 1st: Paul Varcoe 2nd: Will Doyle 3rd: Kris Carroll Tandem 1st: Will and Isla Doyle 2nd: Rory Morgan and Charlie Home 3rd: Sam Maker and Toby Esceline A new trophy and prize this year for the Wave of the Day which was won by Will Doyle.