| Woolacombe hosts Euro inter-club event | |
|  | | The beach at Woolacombe |
| | The North Devon resort of Woolacombe is to host the 2004 European Inter-Club Surf Championships.
The event, on 24-25 April, could attract thousands of spectators.
Report: Laura Joint. |
| | | Devon's growing reputation as a surf venue has received a big boost, with the news that Woolacombe is to host the 2004 European Inter-Club Surf Championships.
The North Devon resort won the right to host the short board event after the Woolacombe Boardriders Surf Club (WBSC) came second to Croyde in the English Championships in 2003.
The 2004 European finals are being hosted by the WBSC on 24-25 April - when it's hoped the surf will be up to 4ft-6ft.
This is the first time that an English resort has been chosen to stage the Euro Inter-Club Surf Championships, which attract around 80 competitors - and hundreds, possibly thousands of spectators.
Only the top two teams from the eight competing countries are eligible to take part. Each team will comprise six surfers, together with their manager and a judge.
Selection criteria will be similar to that used for judging the world's best surfers at the sport's highest level.
 | | Woolacombe fireman Neil Clifton aims to give Devon a lift at the European Club Championships. Picture: Estpix. |
This year, both English teams come from North Devon - Croyde Bay Surf Club, and the Woolacombe Boardriders, who boast two high profile surfers amongst their ranks – Neil Clifton, a previous English champion and Nick Thorne, the former European Iron Man.
Woolacombe earned the right to host the event, as the top two clubs in each national club championships are invited to make a bid.
The European Surf Federation, which runs the Euro championships, was impressed and awarded the event to the North Devon resort.
Secretary of the club is Mat Stillo, who is also marketing manager of the main sponsors, surf brand firm Lost Enterprises.
"We are looking forward to seeing some of the highest quality of surfing," he said.
"There will be world class surfers here, pro surfers, and talented and committed amateur surfers."
The North Devon coast has a growing reputation on the surf scene. Woolacombe is a Blue Flag beach and gets some great waves.
Mat said: "This is a real boost to the area. Woolacombe is a very good place to surf and this is being recognised by the top surfers.
 | Woolacombe has a growing reputation on the surf scene
Photo: Tall Trees Pictures |
"We are pushing Woolacombe as an alternative venue to Newquay.
"It's easier to get to, more chilled out, and has better water quality than Newquay.
"This is a Blue Flag beach, and we're hoping to get South West Water to co-sponsor the event."
The two things Mat and Lost Enterprises can't organise, of course, are the waves and the weather.
Mat said: "There's always a risk it will be flat as a pancake, but we've picked late April because you've still got the Spring sea swell, and you've got a chance of good weather.
"It's a case of fingers crossed!"
The championships start with an opening party on the Friday evening at the Red Barn on Woolacombe’s esplanade with live band entertainment, while on Saturday evening there’s a BBQ at the West Beach Bar.
The closing ceremony and party also takes place at The Red Barn on Sunday. Visitors are welcome at all three social events.
You can watch the championships - viewing is free of charge – and the action starts at around 8am and continues throughout the day until 5pm.
Article first published: 26th January 2004
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