Competition Day One! The Brits Blast Through
Well folks this is it! The BIG day, the start of the World Masters Surfing Competition. Tension was in the air, nerves were frayed, cat’s slept with dog’s and the moon turned red! Well not really, but you can get the picture. It is always hard to start the […]
Written by Kevin on January 22nd, 2007 with
6 comments.
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Competition Day One! The Brits Blast Through
Well folks this is it! The BIG day, the start of the World Masters Surfing Competition. Tension was in the air, nerves were frayed, cat’s slept with dog’s and the moon turned red! Well not really, but you can get the picture. It is always hard to start the competition.
The Puerto Rican Tourist Board and the ISA had laid on a great setting for the first heats. The beach was packed with onlookers and the atmosphere was electric. How would our Boys do? Well to cut a long story short The Lads came through.
Lee Bartlett:- 1st
Grishk Roberts:- 1st
Roger (pronounced Wrogger) Knight:- 1st
Daz Wright :- 1st
Jed Stone:- 2nd (Mitigating circumstances)
Gary Rogers:- 1st
What a blazing performance! And to tell the truth the Lads haven’t even started yet!
The problems they had were too many to mention, nothing underhand of course, but Jed lost one of his contact lenses on the first wave (mitigating circumstances), so he was a bit screwed for the rest of the heat. Daz got his leash wrapped round his foot and had to sort it out mid wave.
But as you can see by the result of the first day, they did us PROUD!
I am only the photographer – cameraman, but I have seen these guys surf in their free sessions, and they are damned good. What I saw today, I believe is just a taster of things to come!
They (to me) look like they are ready, but are keeping a bit in reserve for when they really need it!
So BIG applause for the British in one of the most prestigious events in the calendar!
No other team was as successful as the British were today, as a side note Jed (one eye missing) Stone scored the second highest wave of the day!
Daz has managed to get new fins, G5’s, so tomorrow we should se him ripping. Lee was his normal “I hate the sun” self and just let fly, Girshka just cruised with some powerful moves, Daz despite the leash incident and the wrong fins, flew through his round, Roger ripped, but we could see he is still holding back for the later rounds. Jed was a bit of a strange one. The first wave, where he lost his lens, was not too good, but he clawed his way back as wave after wave he started to “blindly” feel his way on the waves. Gary! Well what can I say? It was like he had an outboard motor strapped to his board. No sooner had he finished a wave than he was back on one! The first person in the comp to be told they are near their max waves was Gaza! And where did those chicks come from Gaza? (Gazza got accosted by 2 girls for a photo shoot after winning his heat!)
Anyway folks, that is all for now. Tomorrow see’s the next round, where hopefully the Lads will come through again. No “Bat Juice” for them tonight! But we cameramen need to have subtle joints, and “Bat Juice” and Pepsi sure does that! Sorry Mum 
(By the way if Pepsi want to sponsor us, get in touch! Otherwise we might go to the DARK SIDE and drink Coca-Cola)
As a bit of a footnote, The International Surfing Assocaition approached me asking for photos and film footage. I agreed to a meeting this evening, but Pablo failed to turn up! Oh well, same as before tomorrow!
As a REAL final footnote, I have about 200 classic photos of the opening heats!
Written by Kevin on January 22nd, 2007 with
6 comments.
Read more articles on Competition.
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Nigel
#2.
January 22nd, 2007, at 10:30 AM.
Great start to the comp lads keep it going. The photos look great. We are all
cheering you on back here although you cant hear us. Good luck tomorrow.
From all here in Somerton
xxx
Boobsie
#3.
January 22nd, 2007, at 10:46 AM.
Hi Guys
Fantastic first day, well done to all of you. What can I say about Jed he can still do it even with one eye, what will he be capable of when he has 2!!!!
I have to say Kevin the photos are brilliant you are so clever!
All the best for today.
Boobsie (Jed’s little sister)
x
Adrain
#4.
January 22nd, 2007, at 4:02 PM.
Go for it. doing well boys, don’t let daz buy to many clothes out there like he did in south AF last year they won’t let him on da plane ! keep up the good work. good surfing. Adrian (shag)
stunt
#5.
January 22nd, 2007, at 7:25 PM.
yeah its bl00dy freezin ere, while you lot splash around in the sunshine. keep watchin the spray nobby. bring it on you lot. quality photos and write ups kev.
Stephan
#6.
January 22nd, 2007, at 7:47 PM.
Yo geezer,
those pics are amazing.
Wish i would be there.
Dusseldorf is freezin right now.
Dag and i miss you at those soccer games.
But i have beaten him once last week.
Well, ive lost a hundred times but im gettin better…
So hopfully youre havin a great time.
See ya back at the table in the Kantine.
Regards
Stephan
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#1. January 22nd, 2007, at 7:19 AM.
Well what can I say Kevin, here I am at 6am reading all the latest news I have
been awake since 4am but couldnt wait any longer Dad woke up and is making
me coffee, and thinks I am off my rocker!!! Great news for the boys, I am so
pleased for them all and so proud of Jed he does soldier on doesnt he, hes a
survivor wait till he gets his spare eye in then watch him fly with the rest of
them. GOOOOOO LADS GOOOOOO. Cant wait till later today. Ill be ready for
the little men in their white coats by the end of this big one!! All the luck for
the next round we are all there with you boys.