After an early down pour of rain just before dawn on Saturday morning, the skies clear coating the bay in sunlight and revealed a sea of white water being pushed by a solid North Westerly wind – at 9.30 am the horns blowing the first group of men entered the water and the start of the 2014 BSUPA National Championships. With the windy, heavy conditions it would be a test of skill luck and nerve as to who would score the most points to claim the heat.

After the first two rounds of the mens it was time for the womens Open to commence, the conditons had been challenging and energy zapping for the men so it was a credit to all the female competitors to see them line up and enter the pulsing surf – with large troughs between the swell, the decision to put the R.N.L.I safety ski out was made, making everything seem even more dramatic. From the 2 Heats defending Women’s Champion Holly Bassett, took the win in Heat 1 and Lizzie Bird claimed the win in Heat 2.

Sunday morning, winds had swung round to the South West, and with the wind backing off, with clean but decent sized waves for the days competition-which started off with Men Quarter Finals.

Next up Women’s Round with winners of each heat joining Holly and Lizzie in the Final later in the day.

Finally time to get the Juniors in the water, to show off their stuff. Special mention goes to Bethan Richardson, who sat out the Women’s competition yesterday because of the conditions, wanted to get out and there and surf, and leave feeling positive. Well done Bethan.

Both the junior and womens final –conditions were tough a decent size close out section made it very hard to get out the back and reforms in white water –you could sense the frustration – We had to wait for the prize giving for the final result.

Men’s Semi Final and with the final in sight everyone and everything geared up as did the standard of the riding from all involved.
Semi Final One: Glyn Overs, Neal Gent, Matt Barker-Smith, Ben Fisher-Semi Final Two: Aaron Rowe, Alex Murray, Matt Argyle, Charlie Grey –

Simon Bassett BSUPA Head coach watched the semis and final –

“The standard of riding in the UK has risen, Aaron Rowe looked on fire in the heats pulling into big turns very fluid and busting out aerials and landing them in critical sections – Alex Murray pulled out a decent board 360 and tucked into some nice waves. In a 20 minute heat it sometimes takes between 5 and 10 minutes to get out the back some of riders took some proper beatings –looked great from the safety of the beach! Glyn, Matt, Aaron and Alex all looked good in the final – Glyn has upped his game this season and he is a real big contendor for the future, Aaron looked like he just took a wave too early in the heat and lost his fire as Matt Barker Smith dominated the heat right from the start . There is an element of luck but all of these riders know there are solid tactics going out on out on the water, their fitness, board choice, wave choice combined with hard charging – Matt deserved the win .”

Comment from Richard Marsh Event Organiser

“Another great and classic championships, the standard from all just improves year on year. It’s fantastic to see competitors willing to return each year to take up the challenge, and also to welcome new competitors to our growing list of riders. In the six years since we first run these championships its also interesting to see how the sport and equipment has evolved too. I am proud to be part of the evolution of the sport in this country and thank everyone for their continued support of these Championships”.

Adding finally

” I hope what people see, hear in person or see or read on these championships inspires them to stage more SUP surf competitions around the UK”.

In addition to the amazing trophies created by Wayne at Surf Mirrors, this years Watergate Bay Waterman and Waterwoman, won a meal for two at the Beach Hut, Watergate Bay.

Event Sponsors – Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay
Support Sponsor:
Pro Sport Sunscreen, Nah Skwell, X-Paddle, MX Leashes, Action Van, Disco Beads, Blu Wave Sup, Supreme Wetsuits, Indo Bords, Life Edge, Cornwall Marine Network, Westcountry Watersports, The Paddler & SUPMagazine.

Thanks to all judges, Beach Crew, RNLI and Aton for the tunes and banter!

Results:

JNR Under 16 Boys
1st Ollie Laddiman
2nd Louie Harrow
3rd Ben Pye

Open Women
1st Holly Bassett
2nd Tina Beresford
3th Mi Richardson
4th Lizzie Bird

Open Men
1st Matt Barker-Smith
2nd Glyn Overs
3rd Aaran Rowe
4th Alex Murray

The following based on final overall position in Men’s Open
Mens Senior  
1st  Charlie Grey
2nd Luke Bolsin
3rd Sean Smith

Mens Masters
1st Matt Barker-Smith
2nd Glyn Overs
3rd Alex Murray

Mens Grand Masters
1st Simon Tregoning
2nd Time Rowe
3rd Peter Edkins

2014 Watergate Bay Watermen  – Men Barker-Smith
2014 Watergate Bay Waterwomen  – Holly Bassett