English National Championships
8th May 2003Eugene Tollamache from Padstow used his flowing vertical attack to rack up the points and become this years English Champion in a variety of demanding surf conditions over the mayday bank holiday weekend. Chef, Tollamache, 26, who works for celebrity restranteur Rick Stein, out-wacked the young gun, Johnny Fryer, 19, from the south coast (I.O.W.) and two evergreen chargers and ex-English Team members; Roger Knight, 38, Newquay and Mike Raven, 36, Bude. An emotional Knight also picked up the Randall Davies Memorial Cup for the best placed Newquay local, (Randall was a close friend).
Robyn Davies from Helston took time off from competing on the world professional tour and overcame a virus to retain her title in the Women’s division. European Champion Sam Bleakley overcame a recent dip in form to take the Longboard title from Ben Skinner who came second and Ollie Adams showed why he is the one to watch, picking up the Junior (U-18) crown and also the Dave Gent Memorial trophy for best Newquay junior. All in all 19 English titles were decided from 350 competitors who did battle over three days at Watergate Bay in north Cornwall. Thanks to Rip Curl who picked up the bill and the Xtreme Academy who provided the infrastructure.
The titles will be used to pick the English Surf team who compete in the European Championships this autumn.
Results
OPEN
Eugene Tollamache (Padstow) John Fryer (I.O.W.) Roger Knight (Newquay) Mike Raven (Bude)
WOMEN
Robyn Davies (Helston) Sarah Bentley (St. Agnes) Nicola Bunt (St. Agnes) Dominique Munroe (St. Agnes)
JUNIOR
Ollie Adams (Newquay) Andrew Griffin (Hollywell) Josh Ward (St. Agnes) Ryan Houghton (Plymouth)
LONGBOARD
Sam Bleakley (Sennen) Ben Skinner (Newquay) Lee Ryan (Newquay) Ashley Braunton (Saunton)
BODYBOARD
Damian Prisk (Camborne) Lew Smart (Sennen) Jo Franklin (Newquay) Lee Stephens (Portreath)
GIRLS (U-18)
Megan Chapman (St. Ives) Sophie Hellyer (Westward Ho!) Kathleen Spears (Croyde) Rosie Marks (Croyde)
CADET (U-16)
Reubyn Ash (Bude) Adam Thornton (Croyde) Tom Butler (Newquay) Sean Kerr (Newquay)
YOUTH (U-14)
Tom Butler (Newquay) Jayce Robinson (St. Ives) Billy Norways (St. Ives) Jack Butler (Newquay)
GROM (U-12)
Stuart Campbell (Woolacombe) Seb Smart (Sennen) Ben Sowter (Newquay) Nick Penreich (Perranporth)
SENIOR (O-28)
Mike Raven (Bude) Jamie Owen (Newquay) Roger Knight (Newquay) Martin Mynne (St. Agnes)
MASTERS (O-35)
Martin Mynne (St. Agnes) Roger Knight (Newquay) Jamie Owen (Newquay) Darren Wright (Newquay)
LEGENDS (O-45)
Jed Stone (Newquay) John Copley (Plymouth) Eric Davies (Bournemouth) Gary Rogers (Newquay)
JUNIOR LONGBOARD
Joe Howell (Chichester) Trevor Minny (Penzance) Steve Hicks (Bude) Andy Griffiths (Plymouth)
JUNIOR BODYBOARD
Paul Eddlestone (Portreath) Cheech Fleck (Newquay) Alex Winkworth (Hayle) Eddie Read (Newquay)
CADET BODYBOARD
Cheech Fleck (Newquay) Alex Winkworth (Hayle) Chris Inch (Cambourne) Eddie Reed (Newquay)
BODYBOARD DROPKNEE
Ollie Medland (Plymouth) Alex Winkworth (Hayle) Lew Smart (Sennen) Kirsten Prisk (Camborne)