On a cold November morning thirty intrepid surfers gathered at Sennen Cove car park for the annual Navy Surf Championships. The 1 foot onshore conditions were less than appealing, but it was decided to hold the Longboard contest first with the hope that the increasing swell size for the next day would materialize.
With the heats finalized and the gazebo erected using everything we possessed to hold it down, the first heat entered the water. Even as the first heat was half way through the debate raged as we fought out the new rules for the repre-charge round. Dave Burr was also on form but he did have to borrow the presidents 10’ 6” barge to carry himself and his turkey. The final was hotly contested requiring a judges huddle to decide the placings. Dave Barr-Saunders taking first place, El Keeno (see Hawaii report) 2nd, Dave Burr 3rd and Al Seaton in 4th.
After many stories were shared of great rides and horrendous wipeouts that evening, it was back for day two and the shortboard contest. Indeed the swell had picked up and was now a respectable 2-3ft with light onshore winds. The contest was run in the same manner as the Longboard event with the repre-charge round going down as great success. Once again Dave Burr was ripping and showed an awesome display of floaters and ‘off the lip’ manouvres, as was a new member of the club, James Bulpett. Whispers of ‘he’s a bit good’ were heard coming from the competitors area. So on to the final and Dave the wave Burr’s superior wave choice and radical surfing won him the title with James 2nd, Sean Malloney 3rd and Richie Turrell 4th.
Every surfer put on a fine display throughout the whole weekend. The RN/RM Boardriders would like to give special thanks to Balin who provided a t-shirt for each competitor and prizes for first in each contest, also Nine Plus who donated prizes for the Longboard contest.
Also thanks to PO Bob Sharples who provided the photographs of the weekend. Thanks to all the club members who helped with the organizing, judging and setting up of the venue and thanks to those who turned out for the competition. A very successful weekend, thank you all!