Elusive Welsh Open Surf Contest

Photo: Struan Wilkins (courtesy Vici Walker / UKPSA)

The 'Elusive Welsh Open', sponsored by Elusive Clothing for the second year running (www.elusivesurf.com) promises to be bigger and better than last year. It is to be held 11th 12th October 2008 at Rest Bay Porthcawl. The event is the 5th of 9 UK Pro Tour (UKPST) competitions being held this year.

This is the eighth year the tour has come to Wales, the second time at Porthcawl. Previous years the event has been held at Freshwater Beach in Pembrokeshire and prior to that it has been hosted at Langland Bay and Llanglennith Beach. This venue offers a fantastic challenge for the surfers, who at this time of year will see some of the best swell coming in from the Atlantic Ocean.

The event will attract the top surfers from all over the country including some top international competitors. These include 2007 Tour Champion Sam Lamiroy (Newcastle), WQS / WCT Surfer Russell Winter (Newquay), 2006 Tour Champion Ruebin Pearce (South Africa) plus many more. They will be joined by the best Welsh surfers around which include: Nathan Phillips (Llantwit), Nick Reid (Swansea) and top local surfer Greg Owen (former Welsh Champion).

The event will not just be for the men there is also a Women's division. 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 star Zoe Sheath (Isle of Wight).

This year we will also see event 3 on the UKPST Pro Junior Series which will feature the future talent of British and Welsh Surfing. With the likes of Tom and Jack Butler (Newquay), Stuart Campbell (Woolacombe) and Tom Good (Welsh Team member) compete in the first UKPST Pro Junior event in Wales.

Dave Reed, Director of the UKPST states "It is great to be going back to Porthcawl again, we would like to thank Elusive for supporting this event giving the surfers an opportunity to compete in Wales" adding "There are many talented Welsh surfers who will make the most of home advantage in this competition".

Nick Clewer, founder and Company Director of Elusive further comments, "I´d like to say how Elusive are excited to be involved with the tour once again and to build on last years success".

Many thanks need to go to Surfboard Tracker for their support for this event. Also the Atlantic hotel are the official hotel for the event and are offering discounted rooms for anyone staying over the contest weekend.

A big thanks go out to 2008 UK PST sponsors, including Relentless for providing, not only an endless supply of energy drink but also money manoeuvre prize of £250.

Last but not least, thank you from the organisers must go out to Brigend council for their support for the event, which will help the future growth of the sport in Wales.