I think most participants on Saturday morning would have shared my thoughts on seeing Mother Meor from the top of Porthmeor Hill on arrival: “pretty small today”. And, like me, they would have been surprised and then delighted that the waves were bigger than expected when we got down to the water, and grew during our sessions into a punchy chest-high out back during the morning. Our junior surfers took to their tasks with great enthusiasm and displayed no little skill. Well done everyone!
That’s another school year done and a dreamy summer ahead of our junior members! The first Kids Club of the holidays saw 79 attendees tackling some pretty good waves and a couple of torrential downpours. There was an opportunity to study and identify a rip in the water during the warm-up and talk before the groups took to the water. It was satisfying to see the youngest groups ( ages 4 to 7 years ) practising trimming, speeding-up and slowing down exactly as taught. There are some very quick learners in those groups! Here’s a selection of shots from the day:
After a Saturday lost to high tides, we returned on 8th July to dreamy conditions. A mild day and a regular supply of waves meant that all surfers had their fill of rides, and it proved to be a morning of outstanding performances. It was a real pleasure to witness the skills our young surfers displayed and an indication that our coaches’ lessons are being delivered clearly. Here’s a few pictures from the session!
Sadly, the hot spell of weather had broken and a damp windy morning greeted us as we set up camp for Kids Club on Saturday morning. Would the parents fancy it? Would the kids fancy it? Well a heartening turnout of 89 kids gave coaches and helpers cause for good cheer, and the waves were between ‘about right’ and ‘a bit on the big side” as the 9 o’clock groups set off down the beach. It proved to be a fun session, reinforcing the motto on the St. Ives Surf School hat ” No bad days”. Here’s a gallery of the morning.
A foul mizzle and a strong west wind could have put a dampener on proceedings on Saturday, but our young attendees at Kids Club were undeterred! Some tricky rips in the shallows also challenged our groups, but the consensus among the coaches afterwards was that there had been some good progress, and Subo in particular was pleased to have made a promising start with the Sharks first video analysis session of the season. Some pics below:
Saturday 3rd of June saw saints boardriders first Kids Club of the season. There were lots of new faces among the eager youngsters as well as the hundred or so existing members who turned out on the day. Surf conditions were an ideal 1 to 2 foot with a mild, almost windless day. There was also a throng of volunteers to help coach, marshal and administer the session, and what could have been a hectic induction to the season went very smoothly and the lessons were soon in their stride. First impression from our new members was that they can’t wait for next Saturday! Yippeee! Here’s a flavour of the day:
Friday 26th May saw our latest fundraising effort as The Balcony hosted a gig by The Mosquitoes in aid of saints boardriders bid to build a clubhouse. Our heartfelt thanks go the band and our hosts for a great night. Below is a photo gallery of some of those who came out to support the event. Thank you one and all!
Can I also ask all our well wishers to go to the site here: www.buildingbettercommunities.co.uk/ and vote for saints boardriders bid for support from Jewsons community fund.
Today’s picture shows the saints boardriders who completed the Fun Run last Saturday. Well done team and well done to everyone who ran to raise funds for their particular cause!
In this second part of the report we’ll see the roll call of those juniors who earned their trophy by their season’s effort. It is difficult to persuade the coaches to make these choices as many of their charges have brought dedication and determination to the sessions, but we hope that those who didn’t collect a prize this time will come back next season with renewed enthusiasm and feel that a prize is within reach this time!
Here are this season’s choices:
Nemos
Surfer of the summer, Amber Kearey
Most committed surfer, Blossom Burdett
Most improved surfer, Milo Kirk-Mackrell
Dorys
Surfer of the summer, Ravi Simmons
Most committed surfer, Sydney and Cody Warner
Most improved surfer, Benjamin Olney
Tunas
Surfer of the summer, Kaitlyn Borghi
Most committed surfer, Milly-Rose Nichols
Most improved surfer, Evie Stattkus
Sea Bass
Surfer of the summer, Alexander Hosking
Most committed surfer, Thai Merrill
Most improved surfer, Bradley Beach
Seals
Surfer of the summer, Chanaelle Aberos
Most committed surfer, Kieran Stattkus
Most improved surfer, Kaya Stattkus
Of course, there’s a real sense that every child who has enjoyed her surfing and is keenly anticipating the next session is a winner. Finding a passion for a sport is a great feeling, and I hope we are introducing more than a few of our juniors to a lifelong association with surfing.
I’ll conclude by thanking those whose help and support made the day go so smoothly: St. Ives Surf School, RNLI Lifeguards, Jabula Tents, Porthmeor Beach Services, Carl and the Take-away crew and our own members who judged, coached and marshalled the event. Jayce Robinson came down to present the trophies – and it’s always a great inspiration to the kids to spend time with our local pros!
More pics!
Jabula came and pitched a fine big tent, St. Ives Surf School unpacked a box of shining trophies, and the new contest vests got their first airing as the final day of our 2016 season arrived.
Prizes all!
The running order was boys heats to the completion of their semis, then junior groups in the water with coaches and helpers for their last session and assessments, followed by girls final and then the boys final. The early rounds were keenly contested in chunky surf at the West end of the beach, watched by an enthusiastic crowd!
Judges and spectators find a good viewing spot.
Once the semis were completed the group sessions got underway and we saw some confident surfing from some very junior surfers. Their delight in showing their skills was great to see! As they got out of their wetsuits and dried off, we had a great display of fast food catering from Carl at Porthmeor Central takeaway as boxes of hot food and ice lollies arrived to tame any hunger pangs the surfing had prompted.
Mmmm! Just the job.
Meanwhile, the girls finalists battled it out, and then the boys had their shot at glory. The results were saved for the presentation and came in reverse order as follows:
Girls final
Fourth; Eleanor Hewlett
Third; Kaitlyn Borghi
Second; Tara Langley
And the winner was Bridgit Wells.
Well done to all our finalists and congratulations Bridgit!
Boys final
Fourth; Dev Parsons
Third; Bailey Rogers
Second; Matthew Burrell
And the winner was Taylor Bairds
A cracking final with Taylor finding the win this year after several second places in recent years!
Finalists; Taylor, Dev, Bailey, Matt, Kaitlyn, Eleanor, Tara and Bridget
Part Two of the contest day report to follow with a full round-up of prize winners and more pics as available. Meanwhile here’s a taster of the awards ceremony. Back soon!
Our youngest winners!
