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Drift talks to Eric Davies about the great man, honoured through a Memorial Expression Session
by George Mojo
14/04/2008:// Drift's George Mojo caught up with prolific British longboard champion Eric Davies who was a friend of the late Bill Booth, who is being honoured through a Memorial Expression Session.
"It’s 10 years since the standout and larger than life surfer, Bill Booth died, but his memory lives on, " Eric told Drift.
Bill had surfed the world, but always remembered his roots, making Highcliffe his surf retreat and you will find Bill’s bench perfectly placed (for a rest or to enjoy the view) on your way up from the surf, displaying a plaque of his mantra “Surfed it. Loved it. , Respected it”
Highcliffe can throw up worthy surf and is always a good workout as you paddle the rip to hold the take off slot.
This was certainly the case during Bill’s Memorial comp, when around 50 or so friends and family of Bill and Pat Booth were greeted by contestable surf with a brisk south westerly wind pushing up the swell and rip!
Many people commented on the ‘good to be alive’ vibe all around the car park and comp area.
Longboarders were in first on a pushing tide and a growing swell. The natural footers took full advantage of the right-handers peeling from the breakwater. With a six man final, there was plenty of action, featuring a close battle between the in- form Brian Page, who surfed the full width of the comp area on a screaming right-hander, only to be pushed out of 1st place by 2007 British Masters champion, Adrian Howell, also with a long ride featuring his trade mark hang five.
The Shortboard section was just as intense with almost a dead heat for 1st place.
The six surfers all jostling in the tight take off zone saw the lead swing between four key contenders.
Earlier heat winner & local surfer, Simon Eaton, was enjoying the conditions on his retro fish, but never really got the high scoring waves this time. It was down to the wire stuff with Brad Rochfort, another heat winner and fish rider from the earlier rounds also failing to select the best of the set waves.
On my judge’s sheet – I had the following surfers tied equal 1st: Highcliffe local hero, Alex “Zippy” Josey, riding the latest S Core Doc Lausch board, versus local legend, Guy Penwarden, opting to ride a pure retro diamond tail single fin board. Both surfers sought out the best set waves and maximised their time right in the most critical part of the wave. Guy was the eventual winner of the Bill Booth Memorial Shield well deserved considering the conditions and his board selection – his single fin approach dedicated to Bill’s riding preference.
With the hot local juniors all away at the British pro junior comp in North Devon, the door was left open for Charlie Banks and Laurence Taylor to battle it out – with Charlie just taking the win.
Competitors’ donations went to Surfers Against Sewage
Cornwall's Russell Winter has had a superb start at the Buondi Billabong Pro in Portugal notching up one of the top four heat scores of the competition so far
Cornwall's Ruebyn Ash put in a superb performance to reach his second European Pro Junior final of the season
Skins "King of the Groms" Contest and Spencer Hargraves raise £800
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