BPSA First Leg of the Tour Completed
Mark Harris (Newquay) has clinched the first title of the UK Pro Surf Tour with a masterclass of inspired surfing in the testing conditions of Croyde Bay. With a brilliant piece of showmanship, Mark snatched the title in a gripping battle full of drama and technical brilliance.
Entries were bulging in each of the six divisions of The Saltrock Open this year, and large numbers of spectators lined the contest arena to see things get underway bright and early on a sunny Saturday morning in some decent 3 to 4 foot swell.
Winds were still gusting strongly, having dropped considerably overnight, and competitors in the first rounds were tested thoroughly by the challenging conditions.
Last years Saltrock Open winner Sam Lamiroy (Newcastle) advanced confidently through the heats until the semi final where he lost out in tricky conditions. Alan Stokes (Newquay) surfed well all weekend but was judged to have interfered with Johnny Fryer’s wave in the next semi which effectively ended his challenge for the title, but Mark Egor Harris surfed well and advanced alongside first place Fryer. There they joined Matt Capel and Joss Ash from Bude who pulled an outstanding air reverse to secure his place in the final.
The Relentless Money Move for the best Aerial of the event went to Reubyn Ash (Bude) for an air reverse in his Pro Junior semi final heat. Reubyn commented “it is great to get this extra award which could also have gone to my brother Joss for his aerial in the Open semi final”.