NEWSLETTER #2 OCTOBER 2012
The Barbados Surfing Association crowned its National Champions at Soup Bowl, Bathsheba on September 22nd in waist to chest high waves.
The Open Men’s National Champion 2012 was Dane Mackie who has been at the top of the podium more than any other surfer this year. Second was Danny Edghill while Bruce Mackie was third and Stephan Corbin fourth.
The Open Women’s National Championship was won by Chelsea Roett with her extensive competition experience and her trademark power turns. Melanie Pitcher showed good form in the difficult conditions to just edge out a determined Maharaki Marie- Joseph.
In the U18 Division, Danny Edghill would step up to become the National Champion while Dane Mackie was second and the precise and consistent Ché Allan was third. Rounding out the top four was Caelum Blandford with his trademark power carves.
The U16 National Champion was the youngster Ché Allan. He would use his speed and vertical maneuvers to hold off Danny Edghill who was second and Dane Mackie, third, in the closest final of the day. Fourth was Jacob Burke who was impressive all day.
In the U12 Division, Zander Venezia was crowned the National Champion with a dominant performance. Jacob Burke was second, the ever-improving Liam Grant was third and the young, talented Caleb Rapson was fourth.
Taking his second national title for the day, Danny Edghill would show his versatility by winning the Long Board Division. Newcomer, Jayson Betham, was second.
The BSA would like to thank its sponsor, Lazy Days, for continuing to sponsor this prestigious event and all those who helped to make the event such a success.
In the US, Chelsea Tuach continues to make waves of her own, winning her 6th International title when she was crowned the 16 and Under Girls’ champion with impressive scores in difficult conditions at the final event of the Ripcurl Gromsearch which was held in the Outer Banks, North Carolina on September 19th. With this win, Chelsea has qualified for the 4th consecutive year for the Ripcurl Gromseach National Final, an invitation only event that brings together the best 16 and Under Surfers from the region, and which is to be held on November 17 at the world famous break, Upper Trestles in California, just 15 minutes from where Tuach now resides. Chelsea will be joined by fellow Barbadians, Dane Mackie and Che Allan, who both qualified at the New Smyrna Ripcurl Gromsearch held in August this year.
The Barbados Surfing Association has one remaining event for the year, The Independence Pro to be held November 30th to December 2nd at Soup Bowl, Bathsheba. This event attracts top regional and international surfers and this year will be no exception as accommodation is already being booked by overseas competitors. Plans are now well underway and the BSA is pleased to announce that Hyundai will be the title sponsor again this year. On-line registration will soon be open, so keep tuned!
The BSA is pleased to announce that the Junior Team for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships to be held in Nicaragua, July 12th to 21st, has been finalized. Congrats to our top juniors who have earned their spots on the team on the basis of their performance in the SOTY series this year. The Team selected is as follows:
Under 16 Boys:
Dane Mackie
Che Allan
Andrew Rose
Zander Venezia
1st Reserve
Dylan Downie
2nd Reserve
Joshua Burke
Under 18 Boys
Daniel Edghill
Caelum Blanford
Dylan Downie
Joshua Burke
1st Reserve
Dane Mackie
2nd Reserve
Che Allan
Under 18 Girls
Chelsea Tuach
(for full SOTY Standings please refer to www.bsa-surf.org/bsa)
The ISA has reverted to the former practice where the points of all four (4) competitors of each Division will go towards the Teams’ final points’ tally. In addition, they have now introduced a change in the Girls’ Under 18 Division. At the upcoming ISA WJSC each country will be elegible to carry two (2) Under 18 Girls and two Under 16 Girls.
The entire BSA committee met to vote on the team to be selected and while the vote was not unanimous, there was one overriding principle that guided the committee’s discussions and decision – to be fair and transparent. The committee stated at the beginning of the year that the SOTY standings would be used to select the team and it respected this decision. The main question was whether members who qualified should be allowed to surf in more than one division and the majority vote was not to double up this year.
This being said, the committee is committed to selecting new criteria for team selection next year as many of our elite surfers are travelling more and more and may not be here for one or more of the SOTY events next year. Again, the overriding principle that will guide the new criteria is fairness and transparency and the desire to send the strongest possible team.
On another and very sad note, the entire BSA family is mourning the loss of one of its own. Carol Ann Grant died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, October 1st. Carol Ann was a loving and devoted surf mom, a friend who touched us all with her kindness and her love. Rest in peace, dear friend. We will never forget you. Our deepest condolences to Malcolm and Carol Ann’s six amazing children who were her pride and joy.
BSA Executive Committee: Brian Allan – President (231 9042); – Christopher Clarke - Vice-President (266 0842 ); Margot Tuach – Secretary (231 0296 ); Louis Venezia - Treasurer (230 4681). Board Members:Jason Kistoo; Melanie Pitcher; Keny Tuach; Sam Taylor; Ian Galt.
www.barbadossurfingassociation.org e-mail: info@barbadossurfingassociation.org
‘Committed since 1983’
