BSUPA Round One - West Wittering Final Report

Stand Up Paddle Surfing UK - BSUPA Round 1, West Wittering

All pics courtesy of www.jonparkerphotography.com unless otherwise stated

Last night saw a good turn out at the Bell inn in Birdham for a BBQ, some live music- supplied by The Matt Argyle Band, and a few beers.

Sunday dawned bright, but breezy with the bolt offshore wind taking the top off the temperatures. By 10.30am there was just enough of a wave to run some expression session heats. All a bit of fun and for many it was their first go at surfing a heat so it will have proven good practice for round two (more info on that in a bit). Clare Blacklock caught a small wave to secure her first place in the 4 strong ladies fleet - come on girls grab your board and come along, it's really fun the atmosphere is far from competitive. Patrice Guenole was showing some great style busting out his own brand of sliding helicopter board spins and drop knee turns. John Hibbard too was doing his best to work the tiny waves on a sub 10' board, even getting a half decent cutback and nose ride on one mini wave! It wasn't exactly classic conditions, but good fun for all and a great introduction to heat surfing and format for many first timers

The results of the expression session were:

1) Patrice Guenole (12' Gong)

2) John Hibbard (Starboard 9'8")

3) Matt Argyle ( Gong 12')

4) Bill Dawes (Starboard 11'2")

After lunch it was time for one last distance race, which was to seal the deal for Round One of the BSUPA Distance Champs 2008.

Neal Gent continued with his winning ways, over taking race leader John Hibbard at the mid point and stroking home to another race win. Patrice Guenole stepped up his pace from day one to take second and Mark Slater blasted home in third, with John Hibbard running on empty in 4th.

That race didn't change the overall rankings though and they go unchanged after day one:

1) Neal Gent (Gong 12')

2) John Hibbard (Starboard 12'6")

3) Mark Slater (Custard Point 12')

Bobby Cooper sealed the deal in the girls division taking a well deserved first place, while Claire Blacklock continued here run of success placing 1st in the ladies division.

Neal walked away with a brand new Gong board for his efforts. The event was a great success and despite no waves it has been a good start to the season. Distance racing certainly has a future in competition and is great fun for all except maybe the most competitive guys at the top of the rankings, who seem to enjoy taking themselves to the brink of exhaustion just for the sake of results! Thanks to the event sponsors Gong, Reef, 2XS, Prosport, Grasshopper Porridge. A big thanks to all that turned up to make the event what it was.

The BSUPA series now moves on to Gwithian in Cornwall for the Sunset Surfshop Shop Classic 14th-15th June. Gwithian is a perfect sup wave and the event will hopefully see some good surf. Look out for Adam Zervas, from Newquay as well as the top performers from event one Neal Gent and John Hibbard who will be eager for some surf competition. More details about Round Two will be posted on the home page this week. Put the date in the diary now though and get that campsite booked, it's going to be a great weekend.

Check out the pics:

Stand Up Paddle Surfing UK - BSUPA Round 1, West Wittering

The Mens Distance top three (L-R John Hibbard, Neal Gent, Mark Slater). Not entirley sure what John is saying in this pic but we think it's "Grasshopper!" as in the porridge that they are holding!

Stand Up Paddle Surfing UK - BSUPA Round 1, West Wittering