British surf champs crowned (From Falmouth Packet)

British surf champs crowned

10:28am Wednesday 24th September 2008

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This weekend the 2008 Billabong British Championships saw two new champions, some great weather and perfect conditions.

Seventeen year old Stuart Campbell from Woolacombe and 17 year old Holly Donnelly from Newquay showed stunning form in 3 to 4ft conditions to take the top spots on the podium at one of the year’s most prestigious contests.

Organised by the British Surfing Association(BSA), the event saw one of the largest ever entries with over 180 contestants traveling from all over the country to bid for this major title at Fistral Beach, Newquay.

With the swell forecast to decrease over the weekend, Saturday offered up some excellent surf for competitors to test their skills and demonstrate to the judges what they can do in the clean conditions. The variety of moves and action on display was described by head judge Mike Durkin as, “Definitely impressive – the best seen in many years. This shows a promising time for British surfing.”

The Under 18 Boys’ final saw local Newquay lads Jack Butler and Arron Evans taking on Toby Donachie from Constantine and Stuart Campbell from Woolacombe to battle it out on the waves. Stuart showed real skill in the final round, his dynamic manouevres in the surf carrying him to the top spot on the podium.

The Under 18 Girls’ rode it out against each other in an exciting final round and alongside Holly Donnelly from Newquay were Zoe Sheath from Isle of Wight, Kathleen Spears from Croyde and Sophie Sainsbury from Port Issac. Holly eventually came out on top with some excellent moves that won her the championship title.

Karen Walton, national director of the BSA said: “We were certainly blessed with the weather for the Billabong British Junior Championships 2008 and the waves were ideal - clean and consistent throughout the day.

The Juniors all got out there and showed their very best form and given the good conditions, we romped through the heats and made it all the way to the finals in the one day. The action for the finals was fast and furious and we have some very well deserved new British Junior Champions. Congratulations to them all.”

Stuart Campbell from Woolacombe, Devon, who took the Under 18s earning him the Male British Junior Champion Title said: “I’ve won the British Under 12s, the Under 14s twice, and the Under 16s so I was obviously keen to get the Under 18 title under my belt but yesterday didn’t want to get myself too stressed or nervous about it.

"I just went out to do my best and have some fun in the great conditions. I was just really making the most of the surf and when it came to the final I just got my head down and went for it. I didn’t want to get my hopes up and didn’t see any of the other finalists’ waves so when they announced that I had won I was obviously surprised and delighted.

"I have been in France training hard all summer with a coach and that’s really paid off. Without a doubt it’s a brilliant feeling and a great achievement to be the British Junior Champion.”

Holly Donnelly said: “It was good conditions especially for a contest with small but fun, clean surf and I think the conditions really helped me. I just got on with it and surfed the best I could all day.

"I’ve never won the British junior champion title and I really wanted to achieve this one. I’m currently the English woman’s champion so to hold both of those at the same time is a real honour for me.”

Full results

Under 12 Boys 1. Ed Smith (Lostwithiel) 2. Will Bailey (Woolacombe) 3. Ben Bates (Jersey) 4. Angus Scotney (Newquay)

Under 14 Girls 1. Tassy Swallow (St. Ives) 2. Lucy Campbell(Woolacombe) 3. Laura Crane (Darracott, Devon) 4. Sophie Sainsbury (Port Issac)

Under 14 Boys 1. Harry Timson (Newquay) 2. Luke Dillon (Newquay) 3. Ryan Roberts (St. Ives) 4. Patrick Daniel (Hayle)

Under 16 Boys 1. Josh Piper (Newquay) 2. Toby Donachie (Constantine) 3. Alex Baker (Woolaconmbe) 4. Harry Timson (Newquay)

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