Double wins for longboard open champions at Newquay comp

Monday, 30 September 2024 16:57

By Surfing England

Lola Bleakley was crowned winner in the Women's Open and U18 Girls categories

2024 The Stable English National Longboard Championships hosted by Surfing England and the British Longboard Union, has successfully concluded at Fistral Beach in Newquay.

Longboarding winners were crowned under a sunny September sky, all showcasing an impressive display of skill despite the tricky surf conditions in the morning. Fistral beach delivered some magic conditions in the afternoon. The surf cleaned up to beautiful 3-foot waves for epic high tide finals.

A DAY OF UNMISSABLE ACTION

With 45 surfers securing places in the contest, a busy 8 hours of surfing was scheduled to take place. The Men’s Open, a round of 32, was first to get in the water. In heat 1, junior surfer Arthur Randell scored a huge total of a 13.83 whilst in heat 5 seasoned pro Adam Griffiths put down the highest total of 14.67. Round 1 of the Men’s Open was dominated by surfers of all ages, the young talent chasing the heels of the more experienced competitors.

Throughout the rounds, the crowds were in full suspense on who was favourite to win. A close final, with only 3 points between 1st and 4th place. The horn sounded and Arthur Randell secured the title in the Men’s Open with a heat score of 15.33. The highest score of the contest. It was a tough final with talented surfers, Adam Griffiths, Ben Howey and Ted Pearson. Arthur also took the U18 National title, in a close heat between Ted Pearson, Kaz Phillips, and Isaac Dakin.

In the Women’s Open and Under 18 Girls division, we had stacked heats. World class surfers were in the mix with the likes of Beth Leighfield, Mali Harbour, Sylvie Puddiphatt and Lola Bleakley. The women displayed style and grace on their boards, hitting the judging criteria perfectly. In both the Women’s Open and U18 girls, Lola Bleakley was a force to be reckoned with, taking both National titles respectively.

OUTSTANDING ATHLETICISM

Anyone witnessing the surfing action will agree that our athletes displayed world-class levels of athleticism and skill. We saw a repertoire of elegant footwork, cross-stepping, hang 10’s and powerful turns combining both classic and modern styles of surfing. This year’s competition was, in the final rounds, dominated by young talent with both our winners Arthur and Lola winning the Open and Junior divisions.
A big well done to every competitor involved in this contest.

FULL RESULTS

U18 Girls
1st - Lola Bleakley    2nd – Mali Harbour    3rd – Sylvie Puddiphatt    4th – Lily Williams

U18 Boys
1st – Arthur Randell    2nd – Ted Pearson    3rd – Kaz Phillips    4th – Isaac Dakin

Women’s Open
1st - Lola Bleakley    2nd – Sylvia Puddiphatt     3rd – Beth Leighfield    4th – Mali Harbour

Men’s Open
1st – Arthur Randell    2nd – Adam Griffith    3rd – Ben Howey     4th – Ted Pearson