2011 World Bellyboarding champion crowned
added to the website on Sep 05, 2011
Naomi Perkin from St Ives won the 9th annual World Bellyboarding Championships at Chapel Porth in Cornwall yesterday.
The contest, organised by our friends at The National Trust, is a celebration of the traditional art of surf riding – surfing prone on a short wooden bodyboard. It now attracts a truly international field of entrants and a growing band of enthusiastic spectators for a truly and magical – and typically British – day at the beach!
Sunshine and decent waves started the day, and the contest continued despite strong squalls and heavy rain that swept in through the late afternoon – remember contestants aren’t allowed the luxury of modern wetsuits – it’s swimming costumes (or fancy dress) all the way as you’ll see from the photo gallery below!
Founder of the Museum of British Surfing Pete Robinson and surf artist Ben Cook judged the ‘best bellyboard’ competition and with dozens of wonderful examples on display it was a tough contest in itself. The winners are listed below, but top dog in “best artwork deserves a special mention, a wonderful wicker creation by ‘Little White Alice’.
The championships first ran in 2002 and was organised by Chris Ryan and Martyn Ward as a memorial contest to the late Arthur Traveller, a Londoner who holidayed with his wooden surfboard at the secluded Cornish beach every year – now the event sees around 300 entrants from all over the world.
The Museum of British Surfing was delighted to be involved again this year and put on display of wooden surfboards and surf wear dating back a century alongside its classic 1966 VW.
Surf riding – surfing prone on wooden bodyboards around 4 feet in length and 1 foot wide, has been practised in Britain for at least the last 100 years and probably much longer.
All photos by Bianca Robinson for the Museum of British Surfing.
Great report in the Daily Mail today.
Results – September 4th, 2011
World Champion – (Highest points scorer overall) – Naomi Perkin
King Arthur Challenge Cup/Arthur traveller memorial trophy – Nick Burt
Mens Seniors (over 60’s) – 1st Nick Burt
Mens Seniors (over 60’s) – 2nd Robin Holloway
Mens Seniors (over 60’s) – 3rd John Andrews
Ladies Seniors (over 60’s) – 1st Anne Shipley
Ladies Seniors (over 60’s) – 2nd Daphne Lay
Ladies Seniors (over 60’s) – 3rd Elizabeth Parks
Mens Juniors (under 60’s) – 1st Simon Bishop
Mens Juniors (under 60’s) – 2nd Dave Pegg
Mens Juniors (under 60’s) – 3rd Robin Laney
Ladies Juniors (under 60’s) – 1st Naomi Perkin
Ladies Juniors (under 60’s) – 2nd Elizabeth Venner
Ladies Juniors (under 60’s) – 3rd Rosie Barnfield
Boys Youngsters (under 16’s) – 1st Marlin Barea
Boys Youngsters (under 16’s) – 2nd Louis Braddock-Clarke
Boys Youngsters (under 16’s) – 3rd Arthur Laney-Hubbard
Girls Youngsters (under 16’s) – 1st Ellise Wedgewood-Clark
Girls Youngsters (under 16’s) – 2nd N Cavalier
Girls Youngsters (under 16’s) – 3rd Sophie Edensor
Best bellyboard
Best Finish - Lin Norbury – natural oil on a 1950s Crest Wavemaster
Best Patina - Sancos Boland – using a ‘found’ piece of wood, creative recycling at its best
Best Paint - Ryan Taylor – a wonderful Cornish pirate ship
Best Artwork - Little White Alice – a stunning wicker creation showing great sculptural form
Best Vintage - Martin Evans – 1930s solid ash
Other awards
Longest Ride – Dave Meads
Most Stylish - Lady with red swim cap, blue costume and turquoise board
Best Trick - Dave Pegg
Spirit of Bellyboarding - Rik Bennett
Long Distance Award – Andy Field from New Zealand
Click here for the swimwear awards
bellyboard, chapel porth, Cornwall, feeds, surf riding, world bellyboard championships
