Stereo  MC's Headlined Surf Relief Festival 2008

 

If you’re planning a trip to Cornwall next summer, make it around the time of White Stuff Surf Relief Day. The charity’s annual fundraiser always seems to luck into good weather and surf, and this year was no exception, with Watergate Bay basking in warm sunshine and a pulse of small but highly contestable swell on the Saturday providing a spectacle for the thousands on the beach.

With Surf Relief Day now in its fourth year, the surf contest was upgraded to a UKPST event, guaranteeing the attendance of Britain’s top pros, including Russell Winter, who dominated the event from start to finish. Russell won all his heats throughout the two days of competition, as well as pocketing £250 from Relentless for the highest scoring wave of the event — a 9.5 in his semi final. 
Finishing second and now the leader on the UK Pro Surf Tour, was an in-form Alan Stokes. English champion Tom Butler posted a third place finish, which is his best result to date on the Pro Tour, and in fourth place was British champion Mark Harris.
“It's fantastic to be able to compete again and also win an event that helps out Surf Relief UK,” commented Russell. “I’ve only been in the water two weeks after breaking  my arm. Hopefully my form will continue to improve for the rest of the year.”
In the Women’s event Holly Donnelly returned from competing in Europe to defeat some of the best female surfers in the country, namely Jo Denison in second place, Sarah Bentley third and Nicola Bunt in fourth.
In the Junior divisions, Zoe Sheath from the Isle of Wight competing in the Under 16 Girls made it three wins in a row, while Josh Piper took the Under 16 boys. In the Under 12 Open, Dale Foster took the win stopping Ed Smith making it three in a row, Dale also takes the lead on the Under 12 Open rankings.
The two day event helped to raise £30,000 for the charity, which will go towards giving disabled and underpriviliged youngsters surf lessons. An auction hosted by comedian Ben Miller at Fifteen contributed to the total, along with a live music festival headlined by '90s hip-hop outfit Stereo MCs, who played a storming set as the sun went down on Watergate.  

 

 

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SURF RELIEF FESTIVAL 2008

Photo's of the Day

Photo's by Jason Feast unless stated
 

Registered Charity No. 1111297                                                                                                              JF WEB DESIGN