Rip Grinch Classic 2024 a great success

December 28th marked the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Bantham Boardriders club, bringing together surfers of all ages to take part in the ‘Rip Grinch Classic’ competition at Bantham.

The event saw locals gather for some Christmas festive fun rather than a serious competition to kick start the organisation’s first meet in the calendar.

Its aim is to support local surfing talent and help youngsters progress to the best of their ability and eventually develop the competitive skills needed to further their surfing careers.

For the moment though it was all about the fancy dress, the best party wave and the worst wipeout with three categories, Mens, Juniors and Ladies.

Conditions proved favourable with 1 to 2 foot waves and a light offshore breeze making for clean right and left hand peelers, perfect for some Christmas crackers.

Spectators enjoyed watching surfing santas, mermaids, frogs, elves and a few superheroes as well as the club’s very own Bantham ‘Grinch’ who did his best to aggravate riders as they paddled into waves.

Chairman, Paul Hatton thanked everyone for taking part and to the Bantham Estate and the Surf Life Saving Club for their support, ‘It was a great first event to start what we hope will be the first of many as we go into 2025. We’re aiming to organise a number of competitions for next year as well as taking youngsters to Inter-Clubs comps across the South West. We have an excellent team of ex-professional surfers and committed members to support and create opportunities for surfers to be the best they can be. Above all, it’s about fun and bringing young people together, getting them in the water and building confidence.’

Paul also thanked the sponsors, Daniel Surf, Triocean Surf, Volcom, Froth Coffee and Outside for their generous donations and providing fabulous prizes for the best performances across a range of categories.

Best Wave winners went to Ted Pearson in the Mens and Gen Conquest in the Ladies. It was a family win for Asher Wellens as One to Watch and Sofia Wellens taking the Most Elegant Wave prize. Similarly for Joe and Marley Woods as riders of the Best Tandem Wave. Local Bigbury ripper, Kira Connolly achieved the Longest Ride with fellow female ripper Immy Nute as best Grinch Evader. Gabriel Hodson impressed judges with the Most Stylish wave. Matt Hamilton’s antics landed him the Worst Wipe-out of the day as well as Best Board Swap with fellow Men’s rider, Joe Woods. There was no missing crowd pleasers, John Phippen as Victorian bathing man, complete with pipe and boater and Gary Sinclair as Kermit the Frog who took first prizes in Best Outfit and Rudest Interference on a Wave respectively.

Bantham Boardriders is a not-for-profit club and membership is through Surfing England. For more details go to banthamboardriders.uk