Hargraves battled through the quarters and semis before securing victory in the men's final with a gritty display of power surfing.

The England international dug deep in class 4-5ft pointbreak waves at Arugam Bay to outpoint fellow finalists Llewellyn Whittaker, Micah Lester and British pro champion Sam Lamiroy.

It was a gutsy display from Hargraves who set out his stall early on in the British Professional Surf Association competition with a frontside wave attack more reminiscent of a teenager than a seasoned 31-year-old.

Big floaters, solid cutbacks and the odd tube ride came easy on the glassy wave faces and it was a momentum that never slackened throughout the contest.

Spencer's happy with his winner's cheque!

While Whittaker, Lester and Lamiroy fought it out for the remaining podium places with a series of big vertical and snappy moves, Spence set about commanding the final with perfect wave placement in the often closeout and shifting peaks of the point.

It was an emotional victory for the Quiksilver junior team coach and one that left him with a taste for more.

"I really went all out to win here," he told BBC Devon. "I haven't been in real competition for over a year so I'm really, really pleased with how I surfed.

"The wave here in Arugam Bay is pretty much world class and I'd love to surf it on its day - it would be awesome.

"At the beginning of the event I had a few stressful heats but in the final I went out and just gave it 100% . I didn't make too many mistakes and I wanted to turn it on. I came here to win the event and I tried my hardest."

Hargraves said the waves for the final at Arugam Bay were tricky to surf: "There was a bit of hassle but it was a case of sitting in the right spot.

"I knew Whittaker was going to try his hardest and Lamiroy was hungry for it. My gameplan was to pick two good waves that hugged the point and to fit in a lot of manoeuvres.

"This year I'm concentrating on the whole BPSA tour. I'm 31 and could do with being a bit fitter. I'm hungry for surfing again. I'm happy with my performance in the final and I've got a lot left in me," he added.

For Whittaker, second place was a case of so near and yet so far. The Newquay surfer attacked the long lined-up waves in every heat.

His powerful backhand lip bashes sending spray feet into the air on every turn. In the final though the elusive "big" one never came his way and he had to accept defeat by the narrowest of margins.

"I'm obviously disappointed, I felt I was right on top of my surfing and was certainly in with a great chance but it wasn't to be this time."

Sam Lamiroy

Constantine-based Australian Micah Lester never quite found his rhythm in the final. A stand-out in the first four rounds, Lester's indifferent wave selection proved a big factor in his third place finish.

For fourth-placed Lamiroy, the final never quite lived up to expectations.

The former Plymouth University captain dug deep in the head high waves pulling off a series of big manoeuvres early on but the promised long rides never quite materialised.

"I'm pleased with the way I surfed and my boards worked really well. The final was pretty tough going. It's very diffcult getting the waves you want when you have three of Britain's top surfers all vying to take off on the waves you want.

"This year is set to be a turning point for me. I'm looking at taking a step back from international competition this season while going all out to retain my BPSA title.

"I also intend doing more free surfing and to focus more on other parts of my life. I've been doing the world tour for six years and it takes so much out of you.

"It's important to get a good mix in life. I was stoked to have been Arugam Bay and the waves really turned on," added Lamiroy.

Paul Barrington

Woolacombe's Paul Barrington, surfing for the Lost team, also showed great touches during the early rounds of the competition.

The Champion of Champions was the first competition on Sri Lanka's east coast.


Up until two years ago it was a stronghold of the Tamil Tigers who were fighting for independence from the Sri Lankan government.

A ceasefire has been in place since then and the area has now been opened up to the outside world.

The waves at A-Bay rarely get above 8ft but because they peel for about 400 yards down a rock and sand point it provides surfers with the perfect arena to break loose.

Cornish teacher Kay Holt added the Sri Lankan women's title to her English crown with a faultless display of competition surfing. Holt defeated Robyn Davies, Nicola Bunt and Sunshine Ash in the final.

Contest organiser and BPSA president Dave Reed has secured funding for the contest for the next five years: "The contest exceeded all expectations and it finished off with one of the best finals I've ever seen.

"Our aim is make it bigger and better next year. Surfing is extremely popular in the UK although competitions are only a small part of it but the response from the Sri Lankan surfers to this event has been overwhelming and will benefit A-Bay in the future."

Final Champion of Champions 2004 result:

Men's final - 1 Spencer Hargraves (Newquay),
2 Llewellyn Whittaker (Newquay),
3 Micah Lester (Constantine Bay),
4 Sam Lamiroy (Perranporth).

Women's final - 1 Kay Holt (Newquay),
2 Robyn Davies (Helston),
3 Nicola Bunt (St Agnes),
4 Sunshine Ash (Bude).