FOUR Newquay surfers struck gold at the 2024 Caravan and Motorhome Club English National Surfing Championships on Saturday, May 18 at the iconic Watergate Bay. 

The event showcased the best of young surfing talent and the dynamic Men and Women Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Surfers divisions. With a fun two-foot of surf providing ideal conditions that held up all day, the stage was set for an exciting and memorable contest. 

Although the sun didn’t stay out for too long, dryrobes were on, and the crowd stayed to cheer on their favourite surfers, as competitors battled it out to be crowned the 2024 English national surfing champions!

Ellie Hickie (red) was the under 12s girls champion.
Ellie Hickie (red) was the under 12s girls champion. (Surf England)

Although surfing over the more challenging high tide conditions, Tommy Hamilton dominated the Under 12 Boys Division in round one, with the highest wave total score of 11.93. The final was intensely close, but Newquay’s Harvey Waters emerged victorious, earning him the title of Under 12 boys English national surfing champion.

The girls' Under 12 heats were nothing short of spectacular, with Newquay’s Ellie Hickie dominating throughout the contest. Ellie achieved the highest single wave score of the entire shortboard contest across all divisions, with a massive 8.33! This ‘excellent’ score on the judging scale underscores the incredible talent within English surfing, securing Ellie a well-deserved win in the Under 12 girls shortboard division.

Round one of the Under 14 boys saw Noah Cerne take the highest total wave score, shortly followed by Harley Miller whose performance stood out in the quarters, posting the highest combined total score of all the shortboard divisions with an impressive 13.83. 

The final promised to be thrilling, with four outstanding surfers charging hard for the title. Ultimately, it was Noah Cerne who clinched the U14 boys English national surfing champion title. 

Newquay's Harvey Waters was the winner of the Under 12s section.
Newquay's Harvey Waters was the winner of the Under 12s section. (Surf England)

In round one of the Under 14 girls, Newquay’s Lila Skinner received the highest wave total score of 14.33, setting her sites early for the national title. In the final round, Coco Arthur was hot on Lila’s heels but to no avail as Lila took the well-deserved title. 

All competitors did an outstanding job of showcasing their surfing skills. Their stamina and determination were evident, and they should all be incredibly proud of their achievements. The future of English surfing looks incredibly bright, with these young talents poised to match and exceed their international rivals. 

The Men and Women Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Surfers divisions added a unique and exciting element to the day's events. Competitors paddled out with determination, navigating the waves with skill and agility.

Home favourite Christina Doviak, who won the Women's SUP division, battles the waves.
Home favourite Christina Doviak, who won the Women's SUP division, battles the waves. (Surf England)

In the Women’s SUP final, home favourite Christina Doviak delivered an impressive performance, achieving a combined wave total of 11.17 and securing victory over runner-up Sarah Perkins. Considering the smaller contestable waves, Christina impressed all with her sharp turns and flow across the small wave faces.

In the men’s SUP division, Marcio Dias was outstanding from start to finish. He dominated each heat, recording the highest single wave score of the entire contest at 8.67 and the highest combined total of 15.50, securing his well-earned first-place finish. 

One of the standout features of the day was the exceptional camaraderie displayed by competitors of all ages. The friendly and supportive atmosphere added to the enjoyment of the event, fostering a sense of community among surfers and spectators alike. 

The Decathlon Games area was a big hit, providing entertainment and activities for both children and adults. 

The interactive zone offered a variety of fun challenges with cricket, beach football, and bounce ball, further enhancing the family-friendly atmosphere of the championship.