Inaugural Slyde Handboards UK Bodysurfing Championships 2017: Fistral Beach

Slyde Handboards is stoked to sponsor the 1st annual UK Bodysurfing Championships held at Fistral Beach, Newquay.

This one-day event will take place the weekend of 16/17th September 2017.  The event structure will include a 16 bodysurfer format event with 12 competitors from the UK along with 4 wildcards from overseas. With 2 competitors from each 20 minute heat will progress, culminating in a 25 minute final.

We caught up with Slyde Pro-Ambassador Ben Schofield  of Poole, Dorset  a lead for the competition, and asked some burning questions about Bodysurfing Competitions in the UK.

How's it feel to be a part of the 1st UK Bodysurfing Championships?

It's a real privilege to be apart of the first annual British Bodysurfing championships this year. It's a great big step in the right direction for the sport as it's still very much underground here in the UK. We are hoping that it will become part of a European Tour and invite interest from the larger body surfing communities across Europe to get involved with us here in the UK.

We have had a massive response from people and sponsors. It's an amazing that I get to represent the Slyde family as both a competitor for the competition and someone that people can talk to about the sport, how they might be able to get involved etc. Basically I'm stoked!

What are the typical conditions like at Fistral Beach, Newquay? 

Newquay and Fistral Beach is the Surfing capital of the UK. During the winter months you won't find anyone but the hardy locals that don there winter suits, head to toe in rubber charging big winter swells from the Atlantic getting barrels.

Summer time you'll find thousands of tourists flooding to the area for summer holidays to enjoy the large beach and smaller waves that can still pack a punch. It's very consistent beach break with great peaks, that occasionally get epic. Mainly rights that get hollow at lower tides. Loves Westerly swell best.

What top 3 things you're looking forward to most from this event?

I'm loving the build up to the event already, chatting to people about it and how others can get involved. I've met some awesome people from being involved already.

It's going to be great getting the community together to share waves and still have a competition where as body surfers we don't take it too seriously. I'm hoping for a hot sunny day with perfect 3-4ft waves and being able to share the experience with my family and hopefully with Steve, Ange and Venice. Apart from that, Just being in the water as per usual as its my happy place and sharing it with other great bodysurfers. YEW!

Want to be a part of this EPIC event? Find out more HERE