OUTSTANDING TEAM PERFORMANCE FROM POLZEATH AT THE BSA BRITISH GROMMET
INTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

The victorious Surf's Up (Polzeath) Team with coach Kelly O'Toole. Photo: Baz Hall/BSA

Fistral Beach was a hive of activity on Saturday as the British Grommet Inter Club Championships took place. Young surfers from five clubs competed to make their club the ultimate winner but it was an outstanding overall performance from Surfs Up Boardriders, Polzeath that secured them the trophy. They collected a huge 129 points throughout the day, the second place went to Croyde A team who had 98 points, Croyde B team claimed third place with 44 points and last year’s winner Newquay came fourth with 41 points. Sennen brought up the rear with 38 points.

Over forty enthusiastic groms battled it out in the four divisions - Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 14 Girls. Polzeath team rider, Harry Timson was the stand out surfer winning 1st place in Under 12’s and 2nd in the Under 14’s. He, along with the other Polzeath team members, helped give the outstanding overall team performance and pushed there score way above the other Grom clubs.
Polzeath also shone in the girls category as team riders Gabby Rowe and Megan Burns beat the other girls to take the first and second place. In the Under 10’s William Bailey from Croyde A gave a strong and consistent performance and won his category and also from Croyde, Beau Bromham won the Under 14’s category.

Contest Director Barrie Hall commented on the show case competition, “The British Grommet Inter Club Championships were a resounding success. The event at Fistral was blessed with excellent 3 feet and clean surf plus beautiful, warm weather. There were 5 teams in total with 40 competitors taking part. For many of the surfers it was there first time in a surfing competition, and gave them a taste of what contests are all about, yet everyone was focused on having fun and the overall team result. Many of the Groms excelled themselves in the waves and we have certainly seen a number of future surf stars and names to look out for in years to come.”

Barrie continues, “A big congratulations to Surfs Up Boardriders of Polzeath, the winning team, showing excellent individual performances and strength in depth throughout their team. They were very deserved winners.”

The British Surfing Association (BSA) organises the competition as a key feature in the year round support for surfing from the grass roots upwards. The British Grommet Inter Club Championships is a crucial step in the BSA’s initiative to develop youngsters through British surfing and are also a key spot in the identification of breaking future of British surfing talent.
Karen Walton, National Director of the BSA, said, “We are continually working to build Britain as one of the world’s top surfing nations and the British Grommet Inter Club Championships is an important part of that process. Many of the competitors at this event go on to develop their competitive surfing and some eventually go on to join the Junior Team and represent Britain on an international level. As Barrie explained, the weekend was very promising, the surfing standard was so high but most importantly everyone was so committed and enthusiastic to surfing their very best.”

Issued on behalf of the British Surfing Association by Excess EneRGy Communications. For further info, photos or interviews please contact Kirsty@excessenergycomms.com on 07816 366859.