Lazy Days/Sprite National Surfing Championships

by HEATHER-LYNN EVANSON

THE BARBADOS SURFING ASSOCIATION’S (BSA) Lazy Days/Sprite National Surfing Championships surfed off last weekend at the Soup Bowl, Bathsheba. And veteran surfer Alan Burke is this year’s National Open champion. He took the title in a very competitive final field of four in the 26th running of the two-day event.
In three-to-five-feet waves, Alan Burke took the top spot from talented junior Lewis St John, who has spent the majority of the year on the international circuit. Peter Hill and Stefan Corbin rounded out the top four.
Alan Burke, a many-time national champion however had to settle for second spot in his pet event. He was beaten by Zed Layson who returned to the surfing scene last weekend.
This year’s Nationals also saw the return of bodyboarding to the slate of categories.
And Ian Jarvis was the king of them all. He took top honour from Kwami Griffith, who was second, Jason Kistoo third and Paul Wilson fourth.
Turning to the ladies, Chelsea Tuach clinched the top spot in the Under-18 Girls’ final to beat her namesake Chelsea Roett into second.
Ametza Nicholls, however, surfed back from a third finish in that division to turn the tables on the Chelseas in the Ladies Open. She was the winner from Tuach and Roett, who were second and third respectively.
On Saturday, it was the younger surfers’ time to shine when the Under-12 Boys’ final was held in smaller conditions at the same beach.
Joshua Burke beat out Dane Mackie to take the top spot, while Gavin Fernandes and Evan Moll were third and fourth respectively. Meanwhile, Danny Edghill was the winner of a surf board donated by Peter Hill of ACP Associates.

FINAL RESULTS

Under-12 Boys: Joshua Burke, Dane Mackie, Gavin Fernandes, Evan Moll.
Under-16 Boys: Jordan Heaselgrave, Joshua Burke, Daniel Edghill, Gavin Fernandes.
Under-21 Boys: Stefan Corbin, Lewis St John, Jonathan Reece, Jordan Heaselgrave.
Bodyboard: Ian Jarvis, Kwami Griffith, Jason Kistoo, Paul Wilson.
Masters: Zed Layson, Wayne Roett, Louis Venezia, Kenny Tuach.
Senior Men: Chris Clarke, Simon Coles, Wayne Roett.
Long Board: Zed Layson, Alan Burke, Barry Banfield, Wayne Roett.
Under-18 Girls: Chelsea Tuach, Chelsea Roett, Ametza Nicholls, Jade Niccolls.
Ladies Open: Ametza Nicholls, Chelsea Tuach, Chelsea Roett, Jade Niccolls.
Men’s Open: Alan Burke, Lewis St John, Peter Hill, Stefan Corbin.