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Bude surf classic goes to Croyde's own
by George Mojo
15/06/2005:// Strong-arm tactics helped Croyde's Andrew Cotton take top spot in the Open final of the Bude Surf Classic without a wave being surfed.
Tiny surfed made it impossible to finish the division so a one mile paddle around Salomon rock was held which Cotton won ahead of fellow North Devon surfer's Eddie Knight and Connor Spears.
Last years Open winner Joss Ash, from Widemouth Bay, was fourth.
For the first time in the event there were two NSP categories where all competitors used the same equipment.
In the Junior event ( U18's ) using a 6ft 4in NSP 'Fish', Ryan Thomas from West Wales beat Plymouth's Sam Scoble into second place.
In the Longboard NSP event ( 9ft 2in ) North Devon's Ashley Braunton finished ahead of father and son combination of Joe and Adrian (howell. Stephen Lynton fresh from his victory in the 'Vets' division of the British Longboard Championships came fourth.
In the Bodyboard Division, travelling South African Shaun Oberholzer took the title ahead of Phil Milson and Bude's Taz Shepherd and Charlie Dicker.
The Ladies crown was hotly contested and was eventually won by Swansea's Jemma Dendle ahead of her twin-sister Kate. Eleanor Hastings, from Bideford just beat Newquay's Rachel Taylor into third.
Some of the best conditions of the weekend were reserved for the Longboard final where Ashley Braunton once more took the winners trophy and cheque.
Finalist in the recent British Junior Longboard event James Parry was runner-up with once again Joe Howell beating Adrian into third.
As the tide dropped back the wind picked up, put provided some good contestable waves for the Junior semi's and final.
North Devon's Adam Thornton triumphed over Sennen's James Parry with Croyde's Eddie Knight third ahead of Ryan Thomas.
Contest Director Phil Williams said: "Whilst the surf was at times pretty small all the competitors had a great spirit, and in the end the event was completed in some easily contestable waves."
"The Christian Surfers crew were certainly saying a few prayers early on the Sunday morning, but thankfully conditions improved. Everyone seemed pretty stoked with the event, and we hope to be back again next year."
The event took a big step up in size this year as a result of the sponsorship between Salomon, Saab, Surfspot, supporting sponsors NSP and North Shore backbackers ( Bude ).
Christian Surfers next event is the fourteenth running of the Jesus Surf Classic on September 10th and 11th in Croyde Bay, North Devon.
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