Report on the days events by NA James Bulpett
A NEW champion has joined the ranks of the RN/RM Boardriders following the 2005 surfing championships.
NA James Bulpett added his name to the winners trophy in the shortboard division and was joined on the podium by longboard victor CPO Dave Burr in the event held at Sennen Cove at the start of November.
Large storm surf raged either side of the competition, but the sea served up only small waves for the day itself. Undeterred, the competitors suited up and stuck straight into the longboard contest.
Contest director WO 'Keeno' Keenan looked the early favourite before losing out in the semi-finals, with LACMN 'Bungi' Williams stroking into the best waves of the day and consequently the final. Others were not so fortunate in the confused conditions so had to make the very best of any decent wave found, including multiple switch stance manoeuvres from Tom ‘Iron Man’ Sawyer.
Never to be underestimated, Dave Burr, who won the shortboard division last year, proved his well-rounded surfing credentials by taking charge of the final with good length of ride and another title to his name.
No time was wasted in getting the shortboard event going due to fading light and the 2-3ft waves deteriorating badly. L(AH) Richie Turrell showed good form from the start, as did PO Steve Hicks and as the tide moved up to high the waves mercifully began to improve.
Reaching the final was Dave Burr going for the clean sweep, along with Bulpett who was out for revenge after losing out to Burr the year before. But Turrell and Hicks were not to be left out with the former keeping his momentum going and locking in some solid rides.
But it was the determined Bulpett who got the judges nod just ahead of Richie Turrell after hacking apart a tasty lefthander.
On the beach to present the awards in near dark was Commodore Jermy, the newly installed president of the RN/RM Boardriders.