What? Scottish Bodyboard Open 2008
When? 25/26 October 2008
Where? Thurso, Scotland
The Scottish bodyboard open took place over the weekend 26/26 October and was open to all spongers resident in Scotland. The event was the first of its kind for a few years due to the scene going more underground than usual, so it was hoped the comp would rejuvenate the scene and bring Scotland’s fragmented booger community together.
The week leading up to the comp saw lots of frantic emails and phone calls flying around due to the forecast 50mph winds and maxing swells, but the wind was offshore and the swell direction was perfect so the decision went ahead to run the comp. Nonetheless the dodgy forecast seemed to put a fair few people off coming up; hopefully they regret it as the waves were sick!
Scotland’s main boog communities are in or close to the cities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh so the comp brought these two crews together on our hallowed North shore for pretty much the first time.
The decision had been made to hold the contest at one of our country’s finer slabs, a great hollow right which usually has long square kegs and some nice rampy sections, perfect for bodyboarding. Check in was first light on Saturday morning and competitors were greeted with solid swell lines stacking into the bay from the grey North Atlantic. Despite the increasingly strong wind and rain squalls the waves were clean with some solid sets coming through with most spitting their guts out.
The competition got underway quickly as winds were due to reach gale force by lunch time. Competitors were given a warm up period as some were unused to the wave’s characteristics. Some solid rides were had with a couple of bombs coming through.
Eventually the final was made up of brothers Tim and Josh Christopherson from Edinburgh, French transplant Aurelien, James from Glasgow and myself. The winds were picking up so made for some interesting blind air drops, but as long as you stuck it you were guaranteed a nice square keg! Josh was owning it hooking into some sweet wedgy peaks and smacking the lip, landing some solid rolls and ARSs a few centimetres over the affectionately named ‘cheese grater’ section of the reef. Josh’s brother Tim was also charging, being more calculated than reckless and getting some solid technical rides. In the end Josh took a deserved first place with bro Tim second, the Christopherson mafia dominating! More important though was that everyone went away smiling having got some wicked pits!
The award ceremony took place later that evening and heaps of thanks must be given to Steve and Al at St Vedas Surf Shop, Coldingham Bay for supplying us with some great prizes along with all their behind the scenes work. Many thanks also to Sam at C2C surf school for sponsoring us the first prize.
Overall the weekend was a success and hopefully will raise the stoke level of our small but dedicated sponge community, pushing our scene forward. Nice one fellas!!!
Results
Josh Christopherson
Tim Christopherson
Rupert Williams
Aurelien Maze
Check oot St Vedas Surf Shop for some solid gear n prices http://www.stvedas.co.uk
