ELLIOT DUDLEY HOLDS WELSH, EUROPEAN AND BRITISH LONGBOARDING CHAMPION TITLES IN SAME YEAR

West Cornwall’s Godrevy Beach was the destination for the UK’s surfing community this weekend for the British Longboarding Championships, organised by the British Surfing Association (BSA). 

A jubilant Elliot Dudley from Wales lifted the trophy as he made 2007 his most successful year yet, adding the British Longboarding Champion to his haul of current titles including the prestigious European Longboarding Champion and Welsh Longboard Champion. 

Supertubes Surf Shop and Sol Lager, in association with new beachside bar and restaurant Sandsifter and the National Trust, stepped in to provide a sponsorship and contest HQ package for the championships which saw over 100 talented British longboarders make the trip to Cornwall.  Small but clean 3ft surf conditions provided the ideal backdrop for the contest which was packed into one day rather than two, due to approaching storms.  

The action in the water saw an inspiring range of longboarding manoeuvres showcasing the best of British talent from all over England, Wales, Scotland and The Channel Islands. 

In the Veterans, Colin Bright from Wales, Steve Lynton from England, Scottish Malcolm Findlay and Englishman Adrian Howell battled it out with a delighted Adrian taking his first ever win in this category. With a painful shoulder injury, Steve Lynton was highly credited for fighting through adversity to make it into the final. 

Elliot Dudley : photo Event Media UK

Colin and Malcolm also made it to the final of the Masters alongside Gary Rogers of England who represented GB at the World Masters earlier in the year in Puerto Rico. However it was ex-European Champion and Welshman Chris Griffiths who showed a standout performance to take the title. 

In his third category of the day, Welshman Colin Bright also made it to the finals of the Seniors and found himself up against Chris Webb of England, Chris Griffiths of Wales and another ex-European Champion Sam Bleakley who was entering this category for his first time.  Sam’s form shone through and he took the top spot on the podium. 

In the Juniors, Michael Lay of England fought through to a place in the finals in his first ever national contest and Grace Davis of Jersey was the only female to enter an open division.  They took fourth and third spots respectively with Jack Seymour of Jersey and Ben Haworth of England following up with second and first place finishes. 

Proving her talent whilst still a Junior, Grace Davies also excelled in the Women’s Open contest and made it to the Women’s Final, up against England’s Candice O’Donnell and Marja Judd and ex-champion Juliet Marlow.  Grace put in another solid performance but was pipped at the post by Juliet who took the championship title. 

A sunset session for the Open final saw Wales versus England with Welsh men Dan Harris and Elliot Dudley in the water alongside England’s Sam Bleakley and 20 year old James Parry.  An extremely high standard in the final witnessed the judges scoring eight rides over eight points but it was Elliot’s standout 9.5 score that helped him ride to success and take the overall title, plus £500 prize money.

The Sandsifter provided the perfect backdrop for the day of laidback longboard riding and the spacious lawns of the venue offered live music from Glass Shark, DJ’s, a custom car display, and BBQs on both Friday and Saturday night.

After taking the title a jubilant Elliot Dudley thanked all involved in the contest and said, “The British title has eluded me for seven years now and it means so much to me to have achieved this position. 

It’s amazing to have finally got there and to have the European, Welsh and British at the same time is a great feeling, without a doubt.  I’ve been in full training in the run-up to these championships and my concentration now turns to defending my European title in France in a few weeks.”

Karen Walton, National Director of the BSA said, “This is one of the nicest event of the year for us to run and it’s great to have a new base here at Godrevy, thanks to the Sandsifter Bar and Restaurant.  I’d like to take this chance to thanks them, Supertubes Surfshop, the National Trust and Penwith District Council, for making it all possible. 

Thanks also to all the longboarders who made the trip from far and wide.  Without a doubt, the British longboarding scene holds an excellent talent pool which is making great in-roads on the European and global surfing stage.  We’re delighted to see Elliot Dudley consolidate his European title with this British championship – he’s an inspiration to all within the sport.”

David Holloway, owner of Supertubes Surfshop and Sandsifter Bar & Restaurant, says, 'We’re delighted to have been able to offer a contest venue with the facilities, entertainment package and location needed to ensure the success of this prestigious event. Everything worked really well and we are looking forward to a long future of hosting events here.

Full results

Veterans (over 45)
4th Colin Bright (Wales)
3rd Steve Lynton (England)
2nd Malcolm Findlay (Scotland)
1st Adrian Howell (England)
 
Masters
4th Colin Bright (Wales)
3rd Malcolm Findlay (Scotland)
2nd Gary Rogers (England)
1st Chris Griffiths (Wales)
 
Senior
4th Colin Bright (Wales)
3rd Chris Webb (England)
2nd Chris Griffiths (Wales)
1st Sam Bleakley (England)
 
Junior
4th Michael Lay (England)
3rd Grace Davies (Jersey)
2nd Jack Seymour (Jersey)
1st Ben Haworth (England)
 
Women
4th Candice O'Donnell (England)
3rd  Marja Judd (England)
2nd Grace Davies (Jersey)
1st Juliet Marlow (England)
 
Open
4th Dan Harris (Wales)
3rd James Parry (England)
2nd Sam Bleakley (England)
1st Elliot Dudley (Wales)