BLU Event 1
The Bathsheba Wateringhole Classic
The first BLU ranking event of the year ran over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of May at Perranporth in Cornwall. Having previously been cancelled due to a poor forecast the surfers were amped to get the season on a roll with competitors from all over the UK turning out with fingers firmly crossed for some good conditions
Saturday began with small surf meaning contest director Minnow Green put the event on hold for a 10am start for the junior divisions. Conditions did improve to become contestable for the open competitors who took to the water in cold and challenging cross-shore conditions. With a repecharge system being used it meant that surfers had the opportunity to get back in the event if they failed to make the cut in the first round although would a seeded surfer suffer first round jitters they could end up in a quarterfinal with 2 other seeds. Standouts on Saturday were James Parry and Ben Haworth who used their size to help them find the clean sections and put in a far higher number of quality turns and noserides.
After a full day of competition everyone retired with high hopes for Sunday morning, these were quickly proved fruitless as first light revealed knee to thigh high slightly disorganized but glassy conditions. The early heats were held in contestable conditions but as the tide pushed and the wind increased conditions became more difficult.
The finals were held in 1ft weak disorganised wind swell, it was Ben Skinner and James Parry who went head to head in the end with Ben coming out on top, in 3rd was the ever consistent Sam Bleakly and the weekend’s top performer Ben Haworth finished in 4th.
Another enjoyable weekend had by so many friends, here’s to some better conditions for the rest of the tour.
Open results
1st – Ben Skinner
2nd – James Parry
3rd – Sam Bleakly
4th – Ben Haworth
5th – Ashley Braunton
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