UK Pro Tour Review 2015: St. Ives Surfers

by Nog

There were more St. Ives surfers than usual tilting at UK Tour glory in 2015 with several youngsters having their first taste of the national scene. Here’s how everyone got on, beginning with our most successful competitor of recent times, Jayce Robinson. Well, he had finished 2014 as the UK Tour champion and also took out the prestigious Wavebreaker Series. Could he repeat the feat in 2015? In the last event of the season, and the final event of the Wavebreaker Series, Jayce found his score tied for first place in that contest at Lynmouth. Competition rules state that in the event of a tie, the surfer with the highest single wave score wins. In this instance, that gave Jayce second place – enough to take the three-event Wavebreaker Series, but leaving him as runner-up on the UK Tour. First place would have seen him retain both titles! So close! Both Jayce and Harry De Roth also made the semi-finals of the Mens Open at the Boardmasters against some strong international opposition in August.

At the Pro Junior division ( 20 years and under), Harry stormed to the UK title with two first places and a second in the three events of the tour. He showed a similar dominance in the Under-18 boys division with four wins and a joint first in his five counting scores. He’s gearing up for a European campaign in 2016 as well as bidding to represent TeamGB at the World Juniors, and England in the European championships!

In her first full season campaigning on the UK Tour, Melodie Shakespear earned 10th place on the Womens’ tour, and fourth in the Under-18 girls. Both credible finishes against some seasoned competitors.

Charley Fox ( Main picture) dipped her toes into the competitive scene in the Under-16 girls division, earning a tenth place on the tour from her only event of the two available. Similarly, in the Under-14 Girls, Charley won the one event she contested, giving her second place in that division. A great debut season!

Taylor Bairds made his debut in the Under-14 Boys with a sixth place tour finish, and also earned fourth place on the Under-12 Open tour – his highlights being a semi-final place in the Boardmasters Under-12’s, and a second place in the English Schools. Dylan Cole Nell also had a go in the Under-14 Boys division, finishing 15th on the tour. He too could have finished in the top ten had he contested more events!

 

 

Here’s wishing “Good Luck” to all St. Ives surfers who compete in 2016.

 

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