Portreath Surf Life Saving Club are celebrating taking first blood in Surf Life Saving Great Britain's British Life Saving Sport Surf Championships 2012. Host club Portreath took the Masters (30+ years) title over 25 and 26 August, with Saunton Sands in second and Woolacombe third.
Teams accumulate points through results in individual and team events.
In the individual events, competitors race in board, surf ski, surf swimming in the water, and beach sprints and beach flags on the beach. Then the cream of the crop compete in the pinnacle event - Oceanman and Oceanwoman, racing in all events in one race – in swim, board, surf ski and run. In the 30-39 age group Sophie Moore from Sker & Pink Bay (Wales) and Perranporth's Andrew Byatt came first; in the 40-44 years group Exeter's Clare Frank (Dawlish Warren Surf Life Saving Club) and Glen Clatworthy (Sker & Pink Bay) were victorious. Tracy Lark from Woolacombe took the 45-49, with Ian Robinson from Branksome Chine taking the men's race; Woolacombe's Nicola Oliver won the 50-55 years with Mark Henry from Saunton Sands with the men's race. Bob Bunney from Saunton Sands won the 55-59 race and Beth Mottart from Portreath took the 60+ years crown.
There were some fantastic achievements by individuals throughout the weekend's competition, with eight foot surf and strong winds making conditions challenging for competitors and spectators. Dawlish Warren's Clare Frank won an incredible five gold medals – all the races in her category, including the Oceanwoman.
Later this week Portreath will welcome the cream of the crop in life saving sport in the Youth (13-19) and Nippers (7-13) categories. The Nipper championship, sponsored by South West Water, will welcome more than 500 young competitors from across the country. Great Britain's top senior competitors (16+) will compete further up the coast at Polzeath for the prestigious open championship.
Life saving sport is a feeder sport to the many Olympic events, including kayaking and open water swimming. The British championships is a chance to watch the sport's top athletes from across the country taking part in the events on the beach and in the water. Events include board, ski and swim races, beach sprints and beach flags – an exciting game of reactions, sprinting and diving that takes place on the sand.
The carnival atmosphere will continue on Portreath beach until 1 September, with free entry for spectators.
Esther Pearson, Chief Executive of Surf Life Saving GB said: "The Masters Championships were a great start to a week of life saving sport. The competitors used all their knowledge and experience in challenging conditions and congratulations to Portreath for retaining their title."
The event is organised by Surf Life Saving GB, the national governing body for life saving sport. Surf Life Saving GB is also a charity of over 5,000 volunteers helping to make our beaches a safer and more enjoyable place for everyone. SLSGB volunteers have been providing beach lifeguard training and patrolling the coast for more than 55 years.
More information is at www.slsgb.org.uk
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