Elusive Welsh Open Looks Good For 11th 12th October 2008

Stop No 5 of 9 on 2008 UK PST
11th 12th October 2008
Rest Bay, Porthcawl Wales
www.bpsauktour.com

The 'Elusive Welsh Open' will be taking place this weekend, 11th 12th October at Rest Bay Porthcawl. Surf conditions look to be the best we have had for Wales in the last eight years and will be the best on the tour this year so far. That combined with the level of surfing, will make the event one not to be missed.

Entries include: past WCT surfer Russell Winter, who is still regarded by many as one of the best, if not the best surfer in Europe. Also competing will be 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. Not to mention 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: Mark Vaughan on the UK Surf Tour (Vici Walker / UKPSA)

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 stars Zoe Sheath (Isle of Wight) and Tassy Swallow (Penzance).

Event three on the UKPST Pro Junior Series will also take place and will feature the future talent of British and Welsh Surfing. Which include: Ruebyn Ash, Tom and Jack Butler (Newquay), Josh Piper (Newquay) and local favourites Robert Blythe (Porthcawl) and Max Tucker (Porthcawl)

The event will also host a party on Saturday 11th, local band "Jasper" will be playing in the Atlantic Hotel, doors open at 7pm with free entry. Raffle in the night with excellent prizes, all proceeds going to Christian Surfers.

Dave Reed, Director of the UKPST comments "With the best surf forecast we have had this year 4 - 6ft swell, 11-13 second swell period and light winds, conditions will be ideal and allow surfers to perform at their best. Making the competition an event not to be missed by surfers and spectators alike".

Nick Clewer, founder and Company Director of Elusive further comments, "With the swell forecast looking good, the possibility of some Welsh sunshine & the level of competitors entered I think we're in for a good one"

Greg Owen, Past Welsh Champion and normally a man with plenty to say adds " It should be a good weekend"

Many thanks need to go to Surfboard Tracker www.surfboardtracker.com for their support for this event.
Also to the Atlantic hotel www.atlantichotelporthcawl.co.uk the official hotel for the event who 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