2024 The Stable English National Longboard Championships hosted by Surfing England and the British Longboard Union, has successfully concluded at Fistral Beach in Newquay.
Longboarding winners were crowned under a sunny September sky, all showcasing an impressive display of skill despite the tricky surf conditions in the morning. Fistral beach delivered some magic conditions in the afternoon. The surf cleaned up to beautiful 3-foot waves for epic high tide finals.
A DAY OF UNMISSABLE ACTION
With 45 surfers securing places in the contest, a busy 8 hours of surfing was scheduled to take place. The Men’s Open, a round of 32, was first to get in the water. In heat 1, junior surfer Arthur Randell scored a huge total of a 13.83 whilst in heat 5 seasoned pro Adam Griffiths put down the highest total of 14.67. Round 1 of the Men’s Open was dominated by surfers of all ages, the young talent chasing the heels of the more experienced competitors.
Throughout the rounds, the crowds were in full suspense on who was favourite to win. A close final, with only 3 points between 1st and 4th place. The horn sounded and Arthur Randell secured the title in the Men’s Open with a heat score of 15.33. The highest score of the contest. It was a tough final with talented surfers, Adam Griffiths, Ben Howey and Ted Pearson. Arthur also took the U18 National title, in a close heat between Ted Pearson, Kaz Phillips, and Isaac Dakin.
In the Women’s Open and Under 18 Girls division, we had stacked heats. World class surfers were in the mix with the likes of Beth Leighfield, Mali Harbour, Sylvie Puddiphatt and Lola Bleakley. The women displayed style and grace on their boards, hitting the judging criteria perfectly. In both the Women’s Open and U18 girls, Lola Bleakley was a force to be reckoned with, taking both National titles respectively.
OUTSTANDING ATHLETICISM
Anyone witnessing the surfing action will agree that our athletes displayed world-class levels of athleticism and skill. We saw a repertoire of elegant footwork, cross-stepping, hang 10’s and powerful turns combining both classic and modern styles of surfing. This year’s competition was, in the final rounds, dominated by young talent with both our winners Arthur and Lola winning the Open and Junior divisions.
A big well done to every competitor involved in this contest.
FULL RESULTS
U18 Girls
1st - Lola Bleakley 2nd – Mali Harbour 3rd – Sylvie Puddiphatt 4th – Lily Williams
U18 Boys
1st – Arthur Randell 2nd – Ted Pearson 3rd – Kaz Phillips 4th – Isaac Dakin
Women’s Open
1st - Lola Bleakley 2nd – Sylvia Puddiphatt 3rd – Beth Leighfield 4th – Mali Harbour
Men’s Open
1st – Arthur Randell 2nd – Adam Griffith 3rd – Ben Howey 4th – Ted Pearson