UK Pro Surf Tour, Stop 5 out of 9
The competition on the UK Pro Surf Tour, as sponsored by Relentless, is really hotting up! This weekend will see the return of The ‘Elusive Welsh Open’ at Rest Bay Porthcawl. Surf conditions look to be the best in Wales for eight years and is without doubt set to be the best on the tour this year so far.
Photo:Jason Feast/BPSA
Reubyn Ash - Ripper!
The level of entries for the event is incredible: past WCT surfer Russell Winter, who is still regarded by many as one of the best, Ruebyn Ash (Bude), winner of the last event on the tour, returning from Mundaka where he competed against Kelly Slater who went on to win his ninth World Title. Sam Lamiroy (Newcastle) 2007 UK Pro Surf Tour Champion and Jye Gofton (Aus) past World Junior Champion. Entries coming from Wales include five Welsh Champions: Lloyd Cole (Swansea), Greg Owen (Porthcawl), Mark Vaughan (Llantwit), Nick Reid (Swansea) and Nathan Phillips (Llantwit)
Photo: Vici Walker/BPSA
Gwen Spurlock - recovering from injury
There is also a Women’s division in Wales, 2007 Tour Champion Gwen Spurlock (Swansea) starts her tour campaign late this year after recovering from a very serious head injury. Other top girls competing include: English champion Holly Donnelly (Newquay) and up and coming surf stars Zoe Sheath (Isle of White) and Tassy Swallow (Penzance).