ESF Media
The English Surfing Federation Surf School has supplied lessons for reporters from among other’s
The Sunday Times newspaper and the lads magazine 'Front'. We've also featured heavily within the media with
our ongoing quest to promote English surfing and support it from a grass roots level. This has included
everything from junior training sessions for the best young surfers around the country to press campaigns
to make the media aware that English surfing receives no government funding.
Our media (Magazine / Newspaper) articles are at the top and our news articles are at the bottom of the page
Check out some of our more interesting clippings, click the image or red link for the pdf version.
Classic Bodyboard Weekend - 16-17 September
(Link to site article by Rebecca Stott)
Endless Summer
Views Article
(PDF 1128kb download)
Please use back button to return here.
Wave it up
Daily Mirror
(PDF 218kb download)
Please use back button to return here.
Rule the waves
Metro
(PDF 1899kb download)
Please use back button to return here.
'The ESF teach Carrie and Aled from
Radio 1's Chris Moyles show to surf, summer 07!'
Western Morning News Learns To Surf With the ESF
June 2, 2007 (PDF 3.8Mb download)
The ESF were more that happy to introduce the Western Morning News to the world
of surfing last week, the journalists picked the sport up quickly and had a
great time, check out the review of their weekend below.
A very different image of Newquay than many have...
SCOUTING FOR SURF!
Top Ten band 'Scouting for Girls', currently all over the airwaves with 'She's So Lovely',
recently learnt to surf with the Freespirit English Surfing Federation Surf School.
Pictures Mike Searle.
Rip Curl Girls Tour
4-10 August
Rip Curl and the ESF Surf School Join Forces for Girls Coaching Week.
What to Expect:
Take the opportunity to be coached by the Rip Curl Pro team and the ESF Coaches.
Lessons are discounted to cut price for the week, that's a two hour lesson, including
all equipment, coaching, insurance and changing facilities for £25. Better still
every participant receives a well stuffed goodie bag containing a Rip Curl T-shirt,
a magazine and free party entry to the Rip Curl Boardmasters Girls Tour Party
(Date to be confirmed but during Aug 4-10).
When:
During the Rip Curl Boardmasters event from August 4 - 10 2008.
Where:
The ESF Surf School. Lessons will be held at Fistral Beach.
Who:
Lessons for girls and ladies of all ages and abilities.
How do I Book:
We are taking bookings
from now, please email or call, be quick this week will fill up quickly!!
Λ Top
ESF/Carve Grom Coaching Course Shows Results at Schools Champs!
After the successful grommet coaching courses that the ESF held in association with Carve
Surfing Magazine last year some of the youngsters turned in great results at this years
British Schools Championships. Check out their individual results and the full contest report below.
Zak Lawton - 2nd longboard
Jack Whitefield - 2nd U18
Jack Ellis - 4th U!6
Rob Marchant-Greenslade - 2nd U16
Bertie Thompson - double win in the bodyboard divisions
PRESS RELEASE- 28th APRIL 2008
NEWQUAY SURFERS CLEAN UP AT THE HUNTER/ BILLABONG BRITISH SCHOOLS SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Over 200 young surfers battled it out in Woolacombe this weekend for the 2008 Hunter/
Billabong British Schools Surfing Championships in association with Calypso and
Kustom.
Consistent 4ft clean surf and sunshine meant superb conditions for
everyone involved and encouraged a very high standard of surfing. Over 200 young
surfers aged 12 to 18 from schools across the South West, England, Wales and the
Channel Islands entered but it was Newquay that shone through with Holly
Donnelly winning the girls, George Picking winning U16s and Tretherras School
taking the team cup.
Cornwall led the way right from the beginning as the Tretherras A team scored a massive
61 points knocking last years winner Braunton with 36 points from their top
spot. Stand out individual performances were from Matt Burner from Kingsbridge
pulling off some impressive maneuvers in the glorious conditions to claim the
Under 18s title. George Picking surfed with consistency and maturity posting
high scores with his flowing attacking style and duly claimed first place in the
Under 16s. In the Under 14s it was Miles Lee Hargreaves from Bournemouth that
took the top spot.
North Devon's Karma Worthington won first place in the longboard category but in the
girls category Karma was pipped to the post by Newquay's Holly Donelly who has
gone from strength to strength this year.
The bodyboard categories also saw some highly competitive surfing with some of the
best bodyboarding heats ever judged in the British Schools, standouts Bertie Thompson
and Nat McCabe who exchanged a number of high scoring rides in both U16 and U18 finals.
Bertie Thompson wowed judges and took both the Under 18s and Under 16s titles. In the
girls bodyboard Tamsin Dillon accumulated enough points in the final and took the title.
Karen Walton, National Director of the BSA said, "We've seen some awesome
talent at Woolacombe this weekend and have been blessed with some ideal
conditions. We've had an impressive entry from schools across the country,
and we are incredibly grateful to the sponsors, teachers and parents who support
the youngsters in making this happen. I'm very excited about the summer season of
contests that is now on its way and I hope to see a lot of these youngsters competing
and giving it as much effort as they did this weekend, well done to everyone who took part!"
Ends
Issued on behalf of the British Surfing Association by Excess EneRGy
Communications. For further information or interviews please contact Kirsty Spencer
on Kirsty AT excessenergycomms.com or 07816 366859 or Rhona Gardiner on Rhona AT excessenergycomms.com
on 07740 410052.
Results
Under 16 bodyboard
1. Bertie Thompson
2. Jacob Sharp
3. Ollie Arden
4. Liam Bentley
Under 18 bodyboard
1. Bertie Thompson
2. Nat McAbe
3. Liam Bentley
4. Ollie Arden
Girls Bodyboard
1. Tamsin Dillon
2. Sophie Good
Longboard
1. Karma Worthington
2. Zack Lawton
3. Harry Bennett
4. Zack Broad
Girls
1. Holly Donnelly
2. Karma Worthington
3. Kathleen Spears
4. Tassy Swallow
Under 14
1. Miles Lee Hargreaves
2. Ryan Roberts
3. Paddy Daniel
4 Tassy Swallow
Under 16
1. George Picking
2. Max Tucker
3. Rob Marchant-Greenslade
4. Jack Ellis
Under 18
1. Matt Burner
2. Jack Whitefield
3. Tom Bentley
4. Haydn Duck
Overall Schools Winner 2008
1. Tretherras A team 61 points
2. Braunton 36 points
3. Bournemouth 33 points
4. Kingsbridge and Ivybridge 32 points
Silver Surfer Weekend June 7-8
Surfing is one of the few sports that suffers no age boundaries and with the incredible
growth of surfing and bodyboarding in the last few years many more 'mature' people are
taking the opportunity to enjoy the waves and try what is surely the most addictive
sport in the world.
The English Surfing Federation Surf School which is based at the Carnmarth Hotel on
Headland Road in Newquay is offering a Silver Surfers weekend on June 7/8. The weekend
will offer surf and bodyboard coaching to first timers or those that have tried the
sport before but never quite got to grips with it.
The weekend is aimed at over 50's but anyone is welcome. It's all about having fun
and experiencing the thrill of successfully riding your first wave. British team coach
and surf school director Rob Barber commented:
"We ran our first Silver Surfer Weekend last September and it was greatly received,
12 hardy new surfers and bodyboarders took part, caught their first proper rides and had
a great time, just over half have taken up the sport as a regular pass time since."
Through out the weekend there will be four lessons that are all complete in themselves
starting at 10 am and 2pm daily. For four lessons the price is £70 or for a single
lesson they are £30. To book a place call 01637 879571 or email.
RIP CURL GIRLS TOUR COMES TO NEWQUAY
On June 28/29 The Rip Curl tour is coming to Newquay and hooking up with The ESF
Surf School to offer girls and ladies cut price lessons £25 for 2 hours including all
equipment and a goodie bag including a Rip Curl T-shirt. There will also be free
Capoeira lessons and a party night. There are only limited places on the course
so please book asap. Call 01637 879571 or email Rob
to book or Click here for more info.
What's Happening?
This summer, The Rip Curl Girls Tour returns to the UK bigger and
better than ever. Presented by Renault the Rip Curl Girls Tour in association
with Relentless energy drink embarks on a unique tour just for girls with an exciting
Brazilian theme.
The tour is a young, fun and very rewarding project for all age groups that encourages
girls to get active and get surfing with expert tuition from Rip Curl Pro Riders
and professionally qualified instructors.
Freebies and Surf Stars!
In addition to top notch surfing lessons Rip Curl will be offering a
goodie bag including event tee shirt to every girl who takes part, there will also be
fantastic demos and performances from world # 1 surf tandem surf team
Rico Leroy and Sarah Brunel from France.
Free Capoeira Coaching...
Following a days surfing girls can stretch and relax in the Chill Out Zone and also
have a chance to experience demos and lessons in the Brazilian Martial art form - Capoeira.
Then to finish off an awesome day on the waves Rip Curl will be hosting
Brazilian themed parties with live music and DJ's in Newquay (Koola Klub).
Throughout the Rip Curl Tour girls will see and meet some of the best
surfers on the Rip Curl Girls Team. French longboard
champion Justine Dupont will be on-hand in Newquay to offer her top tips to girls.
With girls of every age and ability catered for the Rip Curl Girls Tour
is a fantastic opportunity to get enthusiastic about surfing and to challenge themselves
with new tricks and manoeuvres while surrounded by friends and the best instructors around.
To Book a lesson with us direct
call now on 01637-879571
Email- Rob
or for more info check out www.ripcurl.eu/girlstour
Euro Juniors Championships - Morocco
November 28 - December 6, Agadir, Morocco
This years European Junior Championships are set to be held in Agadir, Morocco from November
28 to December 6. The teams will be selected for the event from the results of the national
championships and the current form of the surfers bodyboarders in the running.
Watch this
space for further updates.
The ESF Surf School will be holding a series of fund raising
events running up to the Championships to help pay for the teams travel, accomodation, entry fee etc.
The Sun Surfs with the Rip Curl ESF Surf School
On Jun 14, 15 The Suns Emily Payne learnt to surf in newquay at the ESF School.
The lesson was a great success with Emily standing in her first hour of tuition and
having a great laugh with the stag night that she was basing the article around.
Top surf coach Aidan Salmon went down a storm with Emily and she's vowed to come back
later in the summer with a gang of friend to hone her new skills (and feed her surf addiction)
some further.
Check the article here:
The Sun - Woman, Emily Payne
Surfing Article
Rip Curl Girls surfing days attracts over 100 Girls on first stops of European tour in
Newquay and Croyde
Last weekend 28th & 29th June saw over 100 Girls attend the first stop on Rip
Curl’s European all-girls Learn to surf days presented by Renault.
The Girls Tour Kicked-off in Cornwall as part of Rip Curl’s Grass-roots programme
designed to encourage Girls of all ages to get to grips with the surfing and to help
provide top tips for beginners.
Vice World longboard champion and French open champ Justine Dupont,
was on hand in Newquay to give first time surfer girls individual tips and advice on
the basics of paddling and how to pop-up to their feet. Coming from Lacanau in the South
West of France, 17 year old Justine provided invaluable encouragement to both beginners
and intermediate level surfers and taking the more advanced surfers in the lessons out to the
deeper waters to improve basic wave riding manoeuvres like cutbacks, bottom
turns and re-entries – the essentials skills in wave riding.
Large choppy surf over the whole weekend didn’t make for the easiest learning conditions for
the Girls some as young as 8 years old. However, sunny weather helped the Girls
enjoy the laid back beach spirit all weekend.
Saturday in Newquay started at 9.30 am with over 40 Girls checking in for the morning session with
the Rip Curl English Surfing School.
The agenda for the days surfing started with a half hour warm-up and stretching followed by
basics on paddling, wave knowledge and how to get up to your feet and stand on the surfboard.
The 2 hour session was followed by a free lunch for all participants and then girls were
given the option to get involved with the Brazilian martial art Capoeira, also provided
free to the girls by qualified instructors from Cornwall and Devon.
The girls were then taken back into the water for another 2 hours of surfing in the afternoon
and to end the day all girls were given a free Rip Curl Goodie bag containing event tee shirt
and event partner gifts.
After a very busy day amongst the surf, Girls got ready to move to the Brazilian theme
of this year Girls Tour at the Official Girls Tour party that took place in Newquay’s Chy Bar.
Girls were treated to the best Latino beats from top Cornwall’s Brazilian DJ Nina Martin
and mingled with live Brazilian dancers in full costume setting the dance floor alight
to end the night in style.
Rip Curl would like to thank its sponsors for making this tour a great success-
Renault, Relentless energy drink, Cooler magazine, Stokes the greengrocers, Pirate FM and
clean seas campaign group Surfers Against Sewage.


11 JULY 2008 – PRESS RELEASE
ESF URGES SURF COMMUNITY TO STEP UP AND DO ITS DUTY!
First-ever UK intercompany surf challenge set to support our Juniors!
There's been lots going on behind the scenes at the English Surfing Federation (ESF)
and today, a quadruple announcement shows that the organisation is revving up to
make 2008 one of the most successful years in its history.
The ESF is strongly supported by the proceeds of the highly regarded ESF Surf School and
following a generous offer from the only hotel left on Newquay's Headland Road, the school
has today launched itself in a significant new location within the Carnmarth Hotel. The
Carnmarth overlooks Fistral Beach, the UK's most famous surf break, and as such is the
ideal situation for the English team's surf school with Newquay's Fistral and Bay breaks
just a short stroll away. As part of the new location deal, the ESF Surf School now has
spacious changing rooms (with a secure place to leave valuables), a booking office,
equipment stores, an outdoor shower and a sun deck.
Will Hatfield, Managing Director of the Carnmarth says, "Given our location, lots of surf
schools have been keen to work with us however given the ethos of the ESF Surf School and its
commitment to supporting the English Team and grass roots English surfing, we were keen to do
our bit for the organisation thus offered them the spacious facilities within the hotel.
Having the ESF here on site is great for our guests and with the C Bar and Carnmarth marquee
we can also offer the ideal location for English Team Training days and weekends."
To back the move, and support the ethos and vision of the ESF Surf School, leading brand
Rip Curl has also announced its support for the operation and as of today becomes the
official ESF Surf School sponsor. The Rip Curl deal means that the surf brand will
provide signage, wetsuits and product and support events such as the Rip Curl Girls Tour in August.
James Hendy, UK Marketing Director of Rip Curl says, "As a sponsor of the English
Surfing Championships for many years, it makes perfect sense for us to be supporting
the ESF Surf School, and through the school, supporting the English Team and all of
their activities. We're stoked to be the main sponsor of the ESF Surf School and
are looking forward to helping out in any way that we can over the year to come"
One of the key roles that the ESF plays is the organisation and support of the
English teams for the annual European Surf Championships and for 2008 the prestigious
Junior event will take place in Agadir, Morocco from November 28th – December 6th.
To increase their chances of victory and ensure an ongoing team development scheme, the
ESF has today announced the team early and identified the 14 Junior surfers who will
represent their country at this important event.
In the Under 18s category Lewis Clinton and Lyndon Wake have been selected to represent
their country and the Under 16s will see Josh Piper and Toby Donachie making the trip to Morocco.
Luke Dillon and Harry Timson have been announced as the English Under 14 representatives and in
the Girls Category, Holly Donnelly and Kathleen Spears will represent England.
Zak Lawton will be the English longboarder taking to the Moroccan waves and in the Under
18s bodyboard category Alex Wake has been chosen for the team. Luke Brabyn will be one of the
representatives in the Under 16s bodyboarder team. The second under 16's and 18's bodyboard
representatives and the female bodyboarder are yet to be selected.
The next four and a half months will see a continually rigorous training scheme led by
team managers and coaches Pauly Jefferies and Rob Barber to ensure that all members of
the team are fighting fit and ready to take on the competing European nations and increase
the English chances of another European Champion.
On behalf of the team, Lewis Clinton said, "Representing your country is obviously one
of the highest honours that there can be for a surfer and like everyone in the team, I'm
obviously delighted to have received this call up for the English squad. It's great that
the ESF has let us know so far in advance and that they are planning a squad training scheme
over the coming months. A lot of us have already trained in Morocco so know the waves
there quite well which should give us a good starting point."
As the associated and support costs for the training and the entry fees, travel,
accommodation and subsistence for Morocco will be close to £10,000 and teams for
the World and European Championships have traditionally been underfunded, the ESF is
this year determined to fully support these determined youngsters and help ensure
that there is full financial backing for the Morocco trip. As a result of the efforts
of the ESF Surf School, the 2007 European Championships were the first time that the
English Team was fully funded and as it is generally impossible to get a full team
sponsor for the country's surf teams, today's fourth ESF announcement is the creation
of an exciting, first-of-its-kind locals and surf industry inter company fundraiser event.
The 'ESF Intercompany Surf Battle' will take place for the first time on Fistral
Beach on Sunday 27th July and all surf companies should sign-up and organise their
teams straight away.
Similar team fundraisers and inter- industry contests regularly take place in Australia
and America but this will be the first time that this type of competition has taken place
for the English team. A packed schedule will see over 20 teams made up of staff and
riders from surf companies, surf schools, surf shops, surf lodges etc participating in
an innovative tag team format contest (further details to be announced in next week's
press) and local professional and leisure surfers are all urged to get involved and pit
their skills and wits in this all-for-fun competition.
The Carnmarth's C Bar has already offered to sponsor the post-contest celebrations
and the Newquay Guardian has stepped in to sponsor the competition and has offered to start
the backing of the fundraising campaign with a £500 donation to support one of
the young surfers in the team. On the night of the Surf Battle, the C Bar will host the
ultimate off-duty BBQ and party that will run well into the night with some of
Newquay's top DJs taking to the decks on the C Bar balcony. A fundraising
auction and raffle will take place throughout the night and local companies and organisations
of all types are being encourage to step forward with contributions of all values to
ensure that the there is plenty for people to bid for.
Pauly Jefferies, team coach for the English Junior Team says, "With an ideal new
location, the new Rip Curl sponsored ESF Surf School looks set for a strong year
of business that will help provide a portion of the funding for the Junior team.
However, as the costs of training the team and taking them out to Morocco will be
substantial we want to be sure that we're well ahead of the game and making the most
of 4 months of fundraising time. Rather than a last minute gasp for backing, kicking
off with the Intercompany Surf Battle at the end of July will ensure that everyone
locally and in the industry is doing their bit to support the team and have a great
day and night at the same time. We're looking forward to seeing lots of familiar
faces in the waves and at the after party and to seeing everyone make contributions,
no matter how small or large, to support the determined youngsters who'll be representing
their country at the prestigious championships at the end of the year."
Individuals or companies who wish to contribute donations for the auction
(THESE DON'T HAVE TO BE SURF INDUSTRY RELATED) and raffle should contact
email Rob and teams interested in entering the contest should do likewise.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the English Surfing Federation by Excess Energy Communications.
For further information please contact Zoey Cotton on 07815 572153 or 'zoey AT excessenergycomms.com'
or Rhona Gardiner on 'rhona AT excessenergycomms.com' or on 07740 410052.
21 JULY 2008 – PRESS RELEASE
FINAL PREPARATIONS AS SPONSORSHIPS ROLL IN FOR ENGLISH SURFING FEDERATION
FUNDRAISER INTER-COMPANY SURF BATTLE!
The English Surfing Federation, its sponsors and members of the newly announced
English Junior Surfing Team 2008 have all been hitting the phones and getting the word
out to ensure that the English surf industry does its duty and quite literally gets on
board for this coming weekend's ESF Inter-company Surf Battle.
Last week the ESF announced its new Surf School location and sponsor Rip Curl as well
as the make-up of the English Junior Surfing Team, and this week, final preparations are
underway for an awesome afternoon and evening on Sunday 27th July that will see a mega-fundraiser
to help cover the £10,000 needed to send the Junior Team to this year's European Surfing
Championships in Morocco. The exciting, first-of-its-kind locals and surf industry inter company
fundraiser event known as the 'ESF Inter-company Surf Battle' will take place for the first time
on Fistral Beach on Sunday 27th July and a host of surf companies and sponsors have been signing up.
Rob Barber of the ESF Surf School says, "Similar team fundraisers and inter-industry
contests regularly take place in Australia and America but this will be the first time that this
type of competition has taken place for the English team. Lots of companies and organisations
benefit from the retail side of the surf industry and the ESF Surf Battle is a way of putting
something back and supporting grass roots English Surfing and their Junior team. We need 20 surf
teams for the contest as well sponsorship for the event, prizes for the comp and a range of
donations for the auction and raffle that will take place at the C-Bar later that night.
We're looking for all the key surf brands to enter a team as well as surf lodges, surf schools,
shops and any other local organisations that employs surfers. It'll be a great contest and a
brilliant party so people need to step up now."
A packed schedule next Sunday will see over 20 teams participating in an innovative tag
team format contest and local professional and leisure surfers are all urged to get involved and
pit their skills and wits in this all-for-fun competition. All teams can have a maximum of one
pro/sponsored surfer and must have one girl and two company employees.
James Hendy, UK Marketing Director for Rip Curl says, "We're definitely entering our Rip Curl
team and we're all very much looking forward to next weekend and to battling it out against our
competition. I think this is a great way for the ESF to help raise the needed funds and to get
brands like us, and all others, involved in a novel, fun way."
The Carnmarth's C Bar has stepped forward to sponsor the post-contest celebrations and the
Newquay Guardian has stepped in to sponsor the competition and has offered to start the backing
of the fundraising campaign with a £500 donation to support one of the young surfers in the team.
Red Stripe is also backing the event with the generous donation of a 1 longboard, 3 bodyboards,
10 wetsuit bags and a stack of leashes. Carve surfing magazine, leading surf travel specialists
Big Friday, Web Designers shopfitter.com and Powerbag are also supporting the event.
On the night of the Surf Battle, the C Bar will host the ultimate off-duty BBQ and party
with some of Newquay's top DJs taking to the decks on the C Bar balcony. A
fundraising auction and raffle will take place throughout the night and local companies and
organisations of all types are being encourage to step forward with contributions of all
values to ensure that the there is plenty for people to bid for.
Lewis Clinton, one of the newly selected Junior Team has been one of the people hitting
the phones to talk to surf companies across the country. He says, "People have been
really interested and we're going to be onto them all again this week to really rev them up
and get everyone involved for next weekend. We've all worked hard to get into the team and
it's brilliant to know that the English surf industry is behind us and that the brands and
surf related companies are doing their bit to help support our efforts to get us all to Morocco
so we can represent our country."
Individuals or companies who wish to contribute donations for the auction
(THESE DON'T HAVE TO BE SURF INDUSTRY RELATED) and raffle should
email Rob and teams interested in entering the contest should do likewise.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the English Surfing Federation by Excess Energy Communications.
For further information please contact Zoey Cotton on 07815 572153 or 'zoey AT excessenergycomms.com'
or Rhona Gardiner on 'rhona AT excessenergycomms.com' or on 07740 410052.
24th JULY 2008 – PRESS RELEASE
FINAL PREPARATIONS AS SPONSORSHIPS ROLL IN FOR ENGLISH SURFING FEDERATION
FUNDRAISER INTER-COMPANY SURF BATTLE!
The English Surfing Federation, its sponsors and members of the newly announced
English Junior Surfing Team 2008 have all been hitting the phones and getting the
word out to ensure that the English surf industry does its duty and quite literally gets
on board for this coming weekend's ESF Inter-company Surf Battle.
Last week the ESF announced its new Surf School location and sponsor Rip Curl as well as
the make-up of the English Junior Surfing Team, and this week, final preparations are
underway for an awesome afternoon and evening on Sunday 27th July that will see a mega-fundraiser
to help cover the £10,000 needed to send the Junior Team to this year's European Surfing
Championships in Morocco. The exciting, first-of-its-kind locals and surf industry inter company
fundraiser event known as the 'ESF Inter-company Surf Battle' will take place for the first
time on Fistral Beach on Sunday 27th July and a host of surf companies and
sponsors have been signing up.
Rob Barber of the ESF Surf School says, "Similar team fundraisers and inter- industry
contests regularly take place in Australia and America but this will be the first time that
this type of competition has taken place for the English team. Lots of companies and
organisations benefit from the retail side of the surf industry and the ESF Surf
Battle is a way of putting something back and supporting grass roots English Surfing and
their Junior team. We need 20 surf teams for the contest as well sponsorship for the
event, prizes for the comp and a range of donations for the auction and raffle that will
take place at the C-Bar later that night. We're looking for all the key surf brands to
enter a team as well as surf lodges, surf schools, shops and any other local
organisations that employs surfers. It'll be a great contest and a brilliant party
so people need to step up now."
A packed schedule next Sunday will see over 20 teams participating in an innovative tag
team format contest and local professional and leisure surfers are all urged to get involved
and pit their skills and wits in this all-for-fun competition. All teams can have a maximum
of one company team rider and must have one girl and two company employees.
James Hendy, UK Marketing Director for Rip Curl says, "We're definitely entering our
Rip Curl team and we're all very much looking forward to next weekend and to battling it out
against our competition. I think this is a great way for the ESF to help raise the
needed funds and to get brands like us, and all others, involved in a novel, fun way."
The Carnmarth's C Bar has stepped forward to sponsor the post-contest celebrations
with some of Newquay's top DJs taking to the decks on the C Bar balcony. The Newquay Guardian
has stepped in to sponsor the competition and has offered to start the backing of the
fundraising campaign with a £500 donation to support one of the young surfers in the
team. Property developers Acorn have also stepped in with the same £500 donation
for a team surfer as have Wavelength magazine. Newquay Airport has agreed a £200
sponsorship for the day itself and Carve surfing magazine, leading surf travel specialists
Big Friday, Web Designers shopfitter.com, Air South West have pledged two return flights
from their destinations and Powerbag are also supporting the event and donations for the
auctions have come from a whole host of surf brand and local or surf related businesses.
Rip Curl, Yoshimi, Fistral Blu, Tony Dillon Construction, Carphone Warehouse, Estpix
Photography, Cult, Etnies, Ignite, Eden Project, Gul, Newquay's Finest, Cornwall's Coolest,
Ben Jones Photography, Reef, Lusty Glaze, Air Southwest, Prego Prego, Wavelength, Lush
Longboards, Fluid Juice Surf Boards, Billabong, Hurley, Fistral Spa, Robbie Westcombe
Promotions, Alder, Hybrid Clothing, and young Harry Timson have all made donations and
many more are rolling in. The auction is set to be a hotly contested affair!
Lewis Clinton, one of the newly selected Junior Team has been one of the people hitting
the phones to talk to surf companies across the country. He says, "People have been really
interested and we're going to be onto them all again this week to really rev them up and
get everyone involved for next weekend. We've all worked hard to get into the team and it's
brilliant to know that the English surf industry is behind us and that the brands and surf
related companies are doing their bit to help support our efforts to get us all to
Morocco so we can represent our country. Thanks to everyone so far for everything they've
done and contributed for us and I'm really looking forward to it all rolling out."
Individuals or companies who wish to contribute donations for the auction
(THESE DON'T HAVE TO BE SURF INDUSTRY RELATED) and raffle should contact
email Rob and teams interested in entering the contest
should do likewise.
Rip Curl Girls Tour 2008
Goodie Bag Bonanza!
Today we have received confirmation that every girl that takes part in the
Rip Curl Girls Lessons with us next week will not only receive a £5 discount on
the standard lesson price they will also receive:
A goody bag containing:
- 1 teeshirt
- 1 Hawaiian Tropic oil lotion sample
- 1 Davidoff Cool water sample of perfume
- Girls Tour stickers
- 1 Cooler mag
- 1 poster
- 1 invite to the Rip Curl Girls Tour party
Places on the course are filling up so book your spot now! More info here
RBBS Win the English Tag Team Championship 2008
The first English National Tag Team Bodyboard Championships was held along at Fistral on sunday 27th of July. Sponsored by Rob Barber's Bodyboarding School, teams were attracted from west Cornwall, Plymouth and three teams from Newquay.
While the waves were a little small (in the two foot region) for the bodyboarders to launch in to any real aerobatic moves there was some technical riding with stand outs being Ex British Champions Joe Franklin and Bjorn Storey.
The final saw the team representing The Chy Bar battle it out with the Rob Barber's Bodyboarding School's team.
After the first riders from each team had left the water the Bodyboard School team took the lead with Aidan Salmon winning the exchange with a good spin roll combo. Rob Barber and Joe Franklin built on the lead and Bjorn Storey closed the deal with a double whammy ride of 6 points.
Head Judge Sam Buckle commented "It was a great turn out and the contestants were in great spirits, for the first time we have a national tag teams champion, we're looking to build on the event and make it even bigger next year."
The results were
1. Rob Barber's Bodyboarding School,
2. The Chy Bar,
3. Kernow Bodyboarding,
4. Sunset Surf.
Winter Coaching Trips
The bodyboard school has been to Morocco, Cape Verde, Mexico and Lanzarote over the winter.
The trips have been a great success with a stack of stoked boogers returning from the trips with some great improvements shown.
We have two more trips this winter; Lanzarote on Feb 26 and Bali on April 14.
Check out www.robbarber.com/coaching_trips.html
Level 4 Qualification for Aidan and Rob
Head coaches Rob Barber and Aidan Salmon have been back in the classroom following their BSA level 4 instructors course.
Both the boys passed with flying colours and are both now completing their 4000 word dissertation so that they are awarded their full qualification in time for next season.
Busy, Busy at the ESF
Rip Curl ESF School Support English Junior Team Well it's been all systems go at the ESF over winter. During November the ESF took the english junior surfing team over to Morocco to compete in the European junior surfing championships.
They placed a credible 5th place with excellent individual performances from Croyde's Lyndon Wake and Newquay's Harry Timson.
The team were sponsored by Website design and ecommerce specialists shopfitter.com, the Cornish Guardian newspaper, Lizzard clothing, the Rip Curl ESF Surf School and Rob Barber's Bodyboarding School.
'Hello' Premiere 3rd April Supported by 360 Mag and Rob Barbers Bodyboard School
UK premiere of 'Hello', by Allan Wilson has been moved to the Carnmarth Hotel, on Headland Road, in Newquay, 3rd April 2009.
Carnmarth Hotel
20 Headlan Road
Newquay
Cornwall
TR7 1HN
Phone: 01637 879571
About 'Hello':
Allan Wilson, who recently shot Revolution alongside Mickey Smith,delivers a fun filled, high energy, slab surfing journey across WesternAustralia, Ireland and Cornwall. This feature will screen alongside previews of all the hottest British Bodyboard film making talent.
Alongside the UK premiere of 'Hello' we will be screening:
'House of Cards' by Mark Vangorph
'I do stupid things' by Sam Buckle
as well as previews of exciting new films from Martin Yelland (Postcodes) and Sam Werkmiester
More details can be found at : www.thesurfscreen.com
Doors open at 7:30pm
Tickets will be sold on the door £4.
There will be a bar with drinks and light snacks available to purchase.
Copies of 'Hello' will be available to purchase on the night for a special one off price of £8 each.
England's Number 1 Surfer works at the ESF School!
We'd like to extend our congratulations to top member of the ESF coaching team
Johnny Fryer who surfed out of his skin at the beginning of May to
take the English National title. Johnny has been training hard all winter and it paid off.
Johnny commented
- 'The conditions were tough with six foot plus conditions through out the weekend
but I was stoked to link a couple of turns together in the final and take the win.'
With the number one surfer on our team for summer 09, you know that you are learning from the best in the business!
Bodyboard Coaching Weekend Provides Perfect Start to the Season.
This weekend saw the first of a series of bodyboard coaching weekends sponsored by ThreeSixty Magazine and NMD Bodyboards at Rob Barber's Bodyboarding School in Newquay. The tropical sunny weather and excellent clean waves offered perfect conditions for the 15 riders of all ages and abilities to pick up new skills and advance their riding in a laid-back environment.
The weekend included four in-water coaching sessions, two video analysis sessions, written feedback from the coaches as well as one-to-one appraisals of each rider's weekend performance. Riders travelled from as far a field as Wales, Southampton, Manchester, Macclesfield, Gloucester and Penzance to take part. Coaching from British team coach Rob Barber and British Drop Knee Champion Aidan Salmon was well received.
Rob commented:
- You couldn't get better conditions for coaching anywhere in the world the crew all picked up some new skills and have vowed to come back and push their ability a step further on the July course.
Grayham Mclean, a 43-year-old paramedic from Bishopston in Wales commented:
- Warm welcome, waves and sunny weather provided us with an absolutely brilliant time. Rob, Aidan, Brendan and crew really make the weekend worthwhile. The weekend was packed full of useful bits such as video analysis and even a barbecue at a beach restaurant. Awesome! The highlight is having guys who are so enthusiastic about their sport being able to not only share vast knowledge, but actually in the water showing how it's done! I've been on other sporting weekends where the coaches have all the gear but no idea; this was different. The boys really know what they're doing, and make it easy to learn.
At the end of the weekend all participants were presented with a well-stuffed goodie bag from the event sponsors. The rider who the coaches deemed had made a special effort with his riding was Ben Hall from Exeter; he was presented with a new top of the range NMD bodyboard.
Check out images from the weekend on RobBarber.com/photos.html.
As well as bodyboarding lessons available every day, there are the following bodyboarding weekends available in 09:
July 11 - July 12
September 12 - September 13
September 26 - September 27
October 17 - October 18
For further details contact Rob on 01637 879571 or check out RobBarber.com.
Captions, shot 1: Rob shows the experts from the weekend how to perform invert airs. Matt Hawken
Official Surf School of The Rip Curl Boardmasters
The Rip Curl ESF Surf School is proud to have been chosen as the official Surf School of the Relentless Boardmasters.
During the week of the event; from August 3 - 10 lessons will be available at a £5 discount. Every participant will also receive a Relentless Goodie bag.
Through summer 2009 Relentless are also supplying the school with goodies for all clients from August 1 to September 1.
Call 01637 879571 to book your place now!!
Further Contest Success for the Coaching Staff!
Wedge Air Jam
Tolcarne Beach, Cornwall
25 July 2009
Our team was successful for the second year in the Bodyboard Tag Team Championships. Rob placed third in the Wedge Air Jam as well. Check out the shots and images right.
Wedge Air Jam lives up to reputation, and ESF Tag Team Championships Goes off!
Tolcarne beach, Cornwall, lived up to its reputation as one of the UK’s premier bodyboarding venues on Sunday, with 20 of the best UK- based bodyboarders busting out big aerial moves in pumping five-foot conditions.
The Wedge Air Jam competition (co-sponsored by Corona, The Kahuna restaurant and Overhead Surf); and the English Surfing Federation Tag Team Championships (sponsored by Rob Barber’s Bodyboarding School and ThreeSixty Magazine) served up a feast of bodyboarding excellence.
The competitions ran back-to-back to exploit the best conditions, and more than 125 spectators braved the incessant summer rain to watch the spectacle unfold.
The Tag Team event is held each year to raise funds for the English team, who will be competing in the European Surfing Championships in Jersey in September. Five teams battled it out, with reigning champions Rob Barber’s Bodyboarding School (Aidan Salmon, Bjorn Storey, Joe Franklin and Rob Barber) taking the title again. Joe Franklin scored the highest single wave score after an excellent combination of spins and an aerial roll. Team Plymouth placed second and Discipul third.
The surf picked up with the incoming tide and by the start of the Wedge Air Jam the sets were touching six feet. Flowing power moves abounded in the early rounds, and as the tide drew in the competitors were whittled down to the last six for a hectic 30-minute final just as the Wedge started to fire.
Newquay ex-pat Remi Geffroy snagged some early cross-wave bombs to take an early lead with a massive air reverse, but was pegged back by Plymouth’s Bjorn Storey surfing the right hand peak and Danny Wall sitting deep and picking off the lefts on the bigger sets. Newquay native Rob Barber utilised his local knowledge to snag some of the best pure Wedge waves and chuck in his trademark inverts to score well.
Penzance’s Jack Johns struggled to catch the waves to replicate his dominant semi-final performance and Truro’s Alex Winkworth - who was an early favourite - just failed to land a couple of outstanding manoeuvres.
In the end it was the all-action style of Geffroy that best mastered the conditions to take the title, with Danny Wall second, Rob
Barber third and Bjorn Story fourth. Alex Winkworth was fifth and Jack Johns came in sixth. The event after-party was held at the C-Bar at the Carnmarth Hotel and saw revellers party until the early hours.
The British Bodyboard Club would like to thank headline sponsors Corona, The Kahuna restaurant and Overhead Surf along with sub- sponsors Discipull and Prone Clothing. The ESF would like to thank all the contest organisers, judges etc. for giving their time and effort for free.
ENGLISH SURF TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN JERSEY
The English Surfing Federation (ESF) has today announced the names of the prestigious team members who will represent their country at the European Surf Championships in Jersey from 26th September - 4th October.
A range of the country’s hottest wave riding talents will be on form for the event including current English Champion Johnny Fryer, former British and English Champion Alan Stokes and ex-European Junior Champion Reubyn Ash.
The English team regularly features in the top three highest placings in the showcase of Europe’s surfing talent and the calibre of this year’s crew stands the country in good stead for a podium placing. The team has been backed by the Rip Curl ESF Surf School who has supplied financial and logistical support following the popular Inter-Company Surf Battle in July and the proportion of surf school profits that are dedicated to the team each year.
The Men’s Open team will see Johnny Fryer, Josh Ward, Andrew Griffin, Shaun Skilton, Alan Stokes and Reubyn Ash take on Europe’s other top talent. And in the women’s Sophie Hellier and Hannah Harding will play their part for their country. Leading the charge in the Men’s Bodyboarding section Danny Catten and James Blackwell will perform with Clemi Hardie representing English bodyboarding females. The Longboarding category will see James Parry and Adam Griffiths showcasing their skills.
Andy Sturt the Team Manager commented, “Without a doubt England has a strong 2009 Surf Team and we are all looking forward to challenging the best of Europe. We've all been training hard and are hoping for great individual and team results.”
The team is now looking for a clothing sponsor, so can any interested companies please call 01637 879571 or email rob@orcasurf.co.uk.
MEDIA RELEASE
13 SURFERS SURGE ON AS TWO RIDERS’ TAKE PREMATURE EXIT
Day two of the European Championship’s has seen English bodyboarder James Blackwell and open surfer Joss Ash exit the competition early whilst the remaining 13-strong team push on for podium success.
The English Surfing Federation team, sponsored by Protest, lost two of their riders after judges were failed to be impressed, despite Joss’ 3600 air reverse, which only scored 3.5 points.
The English team - which still has 13 riders in the competition - regularly feature in the top three highest placings in the showcase of Europe’s surfing talent and the calibre of this year’s crew stands the country in good stead for a podium placing.
Conditions remained fickle at St Quens Bay in Jersey on day two with some heats having rideable waves throughout the whole bay whilst other were reduced to lacklustre ankle waves - making it very difficult to set tactics and positioning.
The English Surfing Federation named boardwear brand Protest the official sponsor of the English team, including some of the country’s hottest wave riding talents, last week.
Current English Champion Johnny Fryer, former British and English Champion Alan Stokes and ex-European Junior Champion Reubyn Ash are still going strong.
The inform French and Portuguese are been chased hard by the Moroccan and Spanish teams during these early stages but with a week to go anything can happen.
Editors’ notes
Team sponsors Protest recently set up a UK-based subsidiary to capitalise on its growing momentum worldwide and huge success in Europe.
For more information, to arrange an interview or pictures, please contact Sarah Rudd, Lyndsey Mitchinson or Angela Leighton at Say Something on 01740 621485 or 07795463843 or 07917532211 or 07799332860 or email sarah@saysomethingpr.com or lyndsey@saysomethingpr.com angela@saysomethingpr.com
MEDIA RELEASE
ENGLISH RIDERS MOVE INTO SECOND PLACE IN STANDINGS
The English surfing team has moved up the standings to second position on day three of action from the European Championship’s, despite poor weather conditions.
The English Surfing Federation team, sponsored by Protest, still have 13 out of the original 15 riders in the competition at St Quens Bay in Jersey.
The team performance of the day came from bodyboarder Clemi Hardie, who gained a second and a place in the semi finals. Longboarders James Parry and Mike Ley out-manoeuvred an Irish rider in a three-way heat to progress onto the quarter finals.
Running order was postponed for the day by judges due to extended flat spells - the decision was then reverted after country team managers took a democratic vote as they deemed there were plenty of waves to run heats off.
The open rounds are now at a crucial stage and tactics are being discussed within side the team set up. The English team regularly feature in the top three highest placings in the showcase of Europe’s surfing talent and the calibre of this year’s crew stands the country in good stead for a podium placing.
The English Surfing Federation named boardwear brand Protest the official sponsor of the English team, including some of the country’s hottest wave riding talents, last week.
Editors’ notes
Team sponsors Protest recently set up a UK-based subsidiary to capitalise on its growing momentum worldwide and huge success in Europe.
For more information, to arrange an interview or pictures, please contact Sarah Rudd, Lyndsey Mitchinson or Angela Leighton at Say Something on 01740 621485 or 07795463843 or 07917532211 or 07799332860 or email sarah@saysomethingpr.com or lyndsey@saysomethingpr.com angela@saysomethingpr.com
MEDIA RELEASE
Bodyboard Coaching Weekend A Great Success.
The pen-ultimate NMD/Threesixty Bodyboarding weekend of 2009 was hosted by Rob Barbers Bodyboarding School last weekend. Participants from all over the country converged on Newquay for a packed weekend of top bodyboarding tuition.
The bodyboarders involved in the weekend ranged from complete novices eager to sample the rush of bodyboarding for the first time, to more experienced riders looking to fine tune manoeuvres and techniques.
The weekend involved four in the water coaching sessions with former British Dropknee champion Aidan Salmon and current British Junior Champion Cian Salmon. Two of the sessions were also filmed by legendary UK bodyboard videographer Sam Buckle, which not only gave participants the opportunity to see themselves ride it also allowed the coaches to explain the intricacies of where improvements could be made.
Head coach Aidan Salmon commented:
'We had such a great weekend of waves and sunshine that everyone's riding really stepped up a notch or two, plus we were graced with the presence of British Junior champion Stephen Hall the best up and comer in the country who provided us all with an inspirational display of bodyboarding'.
The weekend was rounded off with the presentation of a well stuffed goodie bag to all participants. A brand new NMD bodyboard donated by Action Sports Distribution was awarded to Alistair Pebbles from Hampshire for the best overall performance during the weekend.
Adam Cummings a guitar technician from Oxford summed up his experience:
'Great fun, great group of people, good instruction with lots of helpful tips. I'm tired but I accomplished what I came to achieve thanks to these guys'.
The final bodyboard coaching weekend of 2009 will be held at Rob Barbers Bodyboarding School, fistral beach, on the 17th and 18th of October it promises to be even more popular than its predecessor so contact the school directly on 01637 879571 to avoid disappointment.
Check out RobBarber.com for further info