2018 Final Competition and Prize-giving

2018 Final Competition and Prize-giving

Competition news General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

Whew! So another summer season draws to a close. It’s the last Saturday of September and time to assess what we have achieved in Kids Club this year. For the junior groups it’s a case of one last coaching session, practising those hard-won skills. First there was an end of term photo, and then we were underway.

Our advanced surfers, meanwhile, were competing further along the beach. The waves were small but contestable as the event began, though they diminished in size through the morning necessitating the use of swellboards rather than their own shortboards for some of the bigger competitors.

The heats and the semis were hard-fought affairs with the small conditions meaning that all the competitors took plenty of waves, keeping the judges very busy back on the beach. Eventually, the places in the respective finals were earned – with a special mention to Millie Rose who abandoned her semis part way through after suffering a weeverfish sting, but had registered two good enough scores to make the final. She was treated at the RNLI station and returned to contest the final undeterred!

And so, we gathered back at the gazebo to admire the table full of glittering cups and learn who would get to take one home this afternoon. Group awards were made in three categories as always; Most committed surfer, Surfer of the summer and Most improved surfer. Here’s a gallery of those who impressed their coaches this summer:

And only then did we learn the results of the finals as the competitors were called in reverse order to gather for a celebratory picture. Lucas Vima collected the Boys trophy, and Elizabeth Hewlett took out the Girls comp. Well done to all our finalists and a particular well done to both our champions! 

There was one last award to be made on the day. Lifeguard supervisor, Lloyd Davies, had found good cause to honour one of our members for his outstanding contribution in helping Porthmeor lifeguards this summer. It’s a special accolade which is not offered lightly – indeed it hasn’t been awarded for several years – acknowledging the help Caz made to the lifeguard team in carrying, fetching, moving equipment, bringing lunches and generally easing the burden on those hectic summer days at the beach. He’s already been earmarked as future lifeguard material! Well done that boy.

In conclusion, may I offer on behalf of saints boardriders our gratitude to the parents and helpers of our junior members for their contribution to the smooth running of the Saturday sessions this year. Thanks  to our judges for their officiating today, and to Porthmeor Beach management for their unstinting support for the club and for feeding our members on this celebration of our season. Thanks to the RNLI, and Porthmeor lifeguards who patrol the beach, in particular to those lifeguards who give their coaching to our kids prior to their work shift on Saturday mornings. And our final thanks goes to Harris and his team of surf coaches at St. Ives Surf School without whose enthusiasm and drive we would cease to function. You guys are the best! 

But before I go, let me remind you that the Surfers’ Ball is fast approaching. Last year’s sell out was widely acclaimed as the best night of the year in the town. St. Ives best-dressed event is on the 26th October at Tregenna Castle. Music from Sandy Acres Seven, Tom Quirke and Ross Williams, and a late night dj . A three course dinner, auction and casino plus those glamorous red carpet photos! All for £30. Tickets are going fast so get yours now. They’re available through both Tregenna Castle and St. Ives Surf School, I hope to see you there!

 

 

The End Of Term

The End Of Term

General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

 The last day of September and the last day of term for the Kids Club. The morning followed the usual awards day format with the youngest groups completing a normal session while the older ones competed for a prize under international judging rules. Here’s some of the action:

Porthmeor Beach takeaway served up a complimentary dish of hot food, a hot chocolate and a bag of sweets for each competitor before we gathered for the prize giving. The junior groups saw three awards per group: Most Improved Surfer, Most Enthusiastic Surfer and Surfer Of The Summer, while the seniors’ awards went to the winners of the day’s competition. Pictures below! Our thanks to Porthmeor Beach, St. Ives Surf School, Porthmeor RNLI Lifeguards and the many volunteers who give their time freely at every surf club event. Further thanks are due to Tregenna Castle and The Balcony Bar for their sponsorship and support. We have boogied to Sandy Acres Seven and The Mosquitoes on fundraising nights, and rattled our collecting tins at Tescos in following our grand vision of building a clubhouse. Our thanks to them too! Next up is our Surfers Ball at Tregenna Castle on the 20th of October. Tickets are still available, but they’re going fast. Buy early to avoid disappointment. And so to the awards;

Trophies Are Earned ; Part 2

Trophies Are Earned ; Part 2

Competition news General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

In this second part of the report we’ll see the roll call of those juniors who earned their trophy by their season’s effort. It is difficult to persuade the coaches to make these choices as many of their charges have brought dedication and determination to the sessions, but we hope that those who didn’t collect a prize this time will come back next season with renewed enthusiasm and feel that a prize is within reach this time!

Here are this season’s choices:

Nemos

Surfer of the summer, Amber Kearey

Most committed surfer, Blossom Burdett

Most improved surfer, Milo Kirk-Mackrell

Dorys

Surfer of the summer, Ravi Simmons

Most committed surfer, Sydney and Cody Warner

Most improved surfer, Benjamin Olney

Tunas

Surfer of the summer, Kaitlyn Borghi

Most committed surfer, Milly-Rose Nichols

Most improved surfer, Evie Stattkus

Sea Bass

Surfer of the summer, Alexander Hosking

Most committed surfer, Thai Merrill

Most improved surfer, Bradley Beach

Seals

Surfer of the summer, Chanaelle Aberos

Most committed surfer, Kieran Stattkus

Most improved surfer, Kaya Stattkus

Of course, there’s a real sense that every child who has enjoyed her surfing and is keenly anticipating the next session is a winner. Finding a passion for a sport is a great feeling, and I hope we are introducing more than a few of our juniors to a lifelong association with surfing.

I’ll conclude by thanking those whose help and support made the day go so smoothly: St. Ives Surf School, RNLI Lifeguards, Jabula Tents, Porthmeor Beach Services, Carl and the Take-away crew and our own members who judged, coached and marshalled the event. Jayce Robinson came down to present the trophies – and it’s always a great inspiration to the kids to spend time with our local pros!

More pics!

Big Kids Comp Report – 2014

Big Kids Comp Report – 2014

Competition news General Club News Groms Surf Club Events

The last day of British Summertime for 2014 offered our best chance to hold the final club competition of the year and find our junior champ. There was a good turnout from groups 5,6 and 7 all keen to show off their chops in some very surfable waves. The judging criteria was strictly International Surfing rules, unlike the earlier nippers’ event, but the competitors were undaunted and worked hard on their turns to impress the judges.

A distinguished panel of judges

After the opening round and repechage , the seeded surfers made their entry into procedings and pushed the standard of surfing to a higher level with some big drops and critical turns on the green waves on offer out back.

Lilly completing her ride

 

 

Jay looking for points

Harry trimming

 

 

There were some close heats bringing elation and disappointment in equal measure, but the quality of sportsmanship and goodwill toward fellow competitors was a credit to all participants.

 

 

 

Good effort mate!

The final itself was contested between Taylor Bairds, Jack Tarplee, Matt Burrell and Josh Martindale. Josh got off to a flyer with two strong scores in the opening five minutes, and could  not improve on them as the other guys worked their way back finding good waves of their own. As the final hooter sounded his lead had held by a mere 0.3 of a point. Close one that! Jack Tarplee claimed second, Matt third and Taylor fourth.

There were no losers on the day as all surfers received their SurfingGB Junior surf scheme certificates for achieving level 1 this summer.

 

 

 

Charlie Smith collects his SurfingGB certificate

Charlie Smith collects his SurfingGB certificate

Then RNLI supervisor Lloyd Davies and Porthmeor Head Lifeguard, James Symons made their awards to the groms who had shown the most initiative in aiding the lifeguarding of the beach this season, with the overall trophy awarded to Matt Burrell.

 

Lifeguard trophy winner Matt Burrell

 

Charley Fox claimed the Girls Trophy for the highest finishing girl on the day –  a well-deserved reward for the hours of training she has dedicated to the sport this year!

 

Girls Champion Charley Fox

 

And the main prize and new wetsuit courtesy of  Tregenna Castle, went to Josh Martindale. Well done Josh!

 

The Champion with his swag!

The Champion with his swag!

Saintsboardriders thank Porthmeor Beach management and St. Ives Surf School for their continuing support for our club. Six years on from our rebirth on the beach we have over 120 Junior members and our Saturday Morning Surf Club is a sight to behold as those yellow-vested kids are led through their warm-up routines at the waters’ edge. Thanks also to all the volunteer instructors who give their time freely to club days, and to the Porthmeor RNLI lifeguards for their help and support.

Prizes for this years’ contest were donated by Robies Robes, Rip Curl, Tregenna Castle, Tombstone Surf, Off The Beaten Track, Natural Balance and Windansea. We ask our members,friends and supporters to show their appreciation of this generosity by supporting these local businesses with their custom.

And a bumper reward for readers who have got to the end of this report! Here’s gallery of photos from the competition! Enjoy.