SURFERS are taking to the chilly waters of Boscombe Pier today to take part in the Cold Water Shocker competition, raising money for the RNLI.
Organised by Sorted Surf Shop and sponsored by Mystic, the event will see more than 60 surfers compete for the top prize - a £600 top of the range wetsuit plus boots, gloves and a hood.
Second, third and fourth prizes are Mystic changing and towelling robes which will go to everyone who takes part in the final heat at 4pm.
Jeff Skeoch, head judge, said: “It’s been a chance for us to get everyone together and have a fun day and basically celebrate surfing and the local community.
“The most important is that we rarely get together as a community so it’s nice for everyone to come down, not take it too seriously and have a bit of fun and get everyone involved.”
Though Bournemouth may not have the best waves in the world, today’s show had some fair sets coming through and regardless of wave quality, everyone was out to have a good time.
“It’s not the best place to surf in the world, certainly not, but it’s probably one of the most enthusiastic groups of people around,” said Jeff.
“When we do get good waves it’s really noteworthy and everyone really loves it.
“I’d say we’re eternally optimistic and we make the most of it and that’s what this is all about.“
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There are guest judges throughout the day with Jeff, director of Sorted Surf Shop and the Wetsuit Centre, as the head judge.
The competition is running from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, March 12.
'It’s not the best place to surf in the world, but it’s the most enthusiastic group of people around'
Competitors are graded on wave performance such as style, manoeuvres and how surfers look on the wave out of five - with a score for each wave caught.
Hoping to raise between £500 and £600 towards new equipment for the Bournemouth-based RNLI branches, the competition is also raising awareness about cold water shock which is often a precursor to drowning.
Liv Paton, Boscombe beach lifeguard, said: “We’re really grateful to Sorted for hosting this and honoured that the East Dorset RNLI Lifeguards are who they are raising money for, it’s massively welcomed and needed.”
With eight heats throughout the day and the sun bursting through the clouds, there was a strong community turnout by mid-morning.
Finn Kirkpatrick, operations manager for the Wetsuit Centre and Sorted Surf Shop, said:
“This is just the tip of the iceberg.
“It’s the first competition we’ve been able to do in three years because of Covid and we’re going to be keeping these rolling from now on.
“It’s the first time we’ve been able to do something like this in a long time and it’s fantastic to get everyone outside having fun on a nice sunny day.”
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