Event 1 - Frostbite Sessions Results
"Epic conditions for inaugural South to South Frostbite Sessions" Event images
Staging a surf contest in the UK is hard at the best of times, and getting the combination of waves, weather, and tides right is
always going to involve a certain amount of good fortune. Well Tyson Greenaway from South to South struck it lucky last Saturday at Godrevy, for the opening event of the South to South Frostbite Series. With peeling A frame waves in the 4 to 6 foot range, and a contingent of many of the region's top junior surfers in attendance, the atmosphere on the beach was electric.
The 16 and under division was the first to go in, and with some of the competitors as young as 13, the going was tough. 15 year old Poppy Barlow-Griffin from Penzance, the only girl in the contest, showed huge courage in taking what had to be one of the sets of the day, at least double overhead, didn't make the bottom turn, and disappeared in the white water. Emerging later from the sea, she decided that although she'd placed second, and was through to the next heat, she'd had enough. 13 year old Ryan Riley from Penryn, when asked how he got on, uttered through chattering teeth;
"That was so heavy. If it wasn't for the contest, there's no way that I'd have gone in today."
The more seasoned youngsters were however relishing the conditions, and the four emerging finalists in the 16 and under category were Jack Butler and George Picking from Newquay, Bert Wright from Penzance and Morgan Bushe from St Agnes. The low tide conditions meant a heavy paddle out and the shifting peaks added to the difficulty factor. From the start the contest was really between British Junior team member, Jack Butler and Morgan Bushe, with very little to separate the two points wise. Waves were hard to catch, and although Jack only had two solid rides it was enough for him to finish the day ahead, even though it was less than 1 point between him and 2nd placed Morgan.
The standard of surfing in the 18 and unders, was consistently high and all of the contestants rose to the challenge. Big moves on solid faces were definitely what the judges were looking for and they weren't disappointed. Jack Butler had progressed through the heats to make the final of the 18's as well as the 16's, and was joined by his brother Tom, fellow British Junior team member Lyndon Wake from Croyde, and Marcus Lascelles from St Agnes. The final was a hard fought affair in very difficult conditions, but this time it was to be the Aggie surfer that came out on top. In a reversal of the 16 and unders final the gap between 1st and 2nd place was only a point, but this time Newquay and British Junior champ Tom Butler had to be content with 2nd place, as Marcus Lascelles secured first place in the first event of the series.
Marcus later commented;
"I can't remember the last time that I got to surf in decent waves at a junior comp. This is how it should always be."
Despite the icy wind, the aptly titled South to South Frostbite Series was a resounding success. Thanks should be given to Sue Nicholls at Penwith District Council for all her help, and to event organiser Tyson and his team. The next event in the series is scheduled for 19th January at Praa Sands, and any surfers wishing to enter can still do so. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.southtosouth.co.uk/frostbite series.
The event consists of three, one-day contests, for surfers in categories 16 and under, and 18 and under, and based on the best two results, the top four surfers from the series will compete in a mobile Grand Final. They will be taken to the best waves available on the day, be it Porthleven, Bude or Aggie, to battle for the chance to win a lucrative sponsorship deal with event sponsors, South to South. The package will include two seasonal clothing packs, photo shoots, and a vital stepping stone onto a future surfing career.
Results
18 and under category
1st Place - Marcus Lascelles2nd Place - Tom Butler
3rd Place - Jack Butler
4th Place - Lyndon Wake
16 and under category
1st Place - Jack Butler2nd Place - Morgan Bush
3rd - George Picking
4th - Bert Wright
Check out the images of the event here
Special thanks
Thanks to Tyson and his team at the Gwithian Academy of Surf for all their efforts.
Sue Nicholls at Penwith District council for all her help