photo Jason Feast

Stop No 2 of 9 on 2011 UK PSTCroyde Beach, North Devon

Whitsun weekend – 28th 29th 30th May 2011

Johnny Fryer wins The Saltrock Open!
The Saltrock Open 2011 went off in style this bank holiday weekend and ended with crowning a new champion – congratulations Johnny Fryer!
The Saltrock Open stole the show on what is now the busiest weekend of the year in Croyde, and an awesome view of the contest ground gave visitors a real buzz as they rounded Downend Point and came into Croyde.  The waves were better than expected reaching 3 -4 ft on Sunday although it did drop off on Monday, and everyone who came to watch saw numerous great performances from the UKs top surfers.
The Men’s Open was strongly contested as predicted and was rounded off by a great final.  The lead went back and forth throughout the final with Alan Stokes leading most of the way, then Russell Winter came back strongly only to be overtaken by new champion Johnny Fryer on the last wave of the heat
The Women’s Open was won by Australian surfer Amy Stewart, and local Stuart Campbell put in a great performance to win the Pro Junior event.
The King of Watersports awards for the highest scoring waves went to Russell Winter with an 8.67 and to Lucy Campbell with an 8.5, both received on the final day of the contest.
UKPSA Director Dave Reed was stoked with how the event ran.  “Another successful Saltrock contest despite the challenging conditions on the last day. With record entries and great support from Saltrock and Nike 6.0 as well as Marley Mellow Mood and Relentless plus numerous other organisations this well established event will go from strength to strength”
There was a great vibe at the contest with a good strong turnout and loads of spectators despite the grey skies and the rain!  Christian Surfers did a great job keeping everyone well fed and watered with fabulous burgers, steaming teas and coffees and an endless supply of Relentless and Marley’s Mellow Mood!
Well done to everybody who entered – it was a great competition and we’re already looking forward to The Saltrock Open 2012!
Results

Mens Open

1. Johnny Fryer
2. Russ Winter
3. Alan Stokes
4. Jayce Robinson

The WQS comp went well for me, posting the second highest heat score of the day my new 5′9 Luke Hart Quiver surfboard was working really well on the point.

By the time the rest of the UK crew had flown out for the Champion of Champions event me and my travel buddy Ruben Pearce were feeling right at home on the long peeling rights of A Bay.

In the end the comp wrapped up with both me and Ruben making the man on man final, Ive competed in this event three times now so to finally win after spending so much time training on the point lets just say i had a grin form ear to ear. A fitting end to an extended stay in Arugam Bay.

Big congrats to Ruben who finished 2nd and has been a previous winner of this event, you were ripping the point buddy and had me worried on more than one occasion.

Check out these little vids filmed and edited by none other than CARVE ed Sharpy of the trip to Sri Lanka and all the action from the event, Sharpy who spent 7 days in Sri Lanka of which he spent 7 days swimming the rip on the point shooting video and stills, mans a fish i recon, good skills mate.

cheers Stokesy

Serendib Dreaming- Episode 3 from Roger Sharp on Vimeo.

Serendib Dreaming- Episode 2 from Roger Sharp on Vimeo.

Serendib Dreaming- Episode I from Roger Sharp on Vimeo.