The Puravida MiPost Welsh National Surfing Championships 2024 was concluded last weekend at Llantwit Major.

Both Men’s and Women’s Open titles changed hands from last year, as athletes across all divisions showcased superb surfing in the stormy conditions.

Channel Coast Surf Club’s Logan Nicol put in high-octane displays to win the Men’s Open, and Josie Hawke (Pembrokeshire Surf Club) topped the Women’s Open podium. The win helped Josie to a clean sweep at this year’s Welsh, a phenomenal achievement that highlights the talented grom’s dedication and progression in the waves.

Those first titles came on May 26 and 27, when a rare pulse of spring swell allowed The Welsh to run but for Juniors only. Alongside Hawke's cross-category haul, Bryn Baker (PSC) took gold for the U14 Boys, Luca Owen (Welsh Coast Surf Club) won the U16s, and Euan Buick (PSC) claimed top spot at U18 level. Willem Beck (PSC) and Katie David (PSC) secured victory in the Longboard Boys and Longboard Girls.

Storm Bert’s grey skies set the scene for the latest-run Welsh Nationals to date, but the senior competitors lit up the breaks at Llantwit with some electric surfing.

Drama unfolded on the slab in the Men’s Bodyboard final, where Tai Jackson (Welsh Bodyboard Club) relieved George Bevan (WBC) of his 2023 crown. The action continued for the Men’s Longboard final on the dropping tide, with Elliot Dudley (CCSC) racking up an impressive 13.2 – enough to prize the logging title back from Tom Fisher (Langland Board Riders) who accrued 9.07.

In the Women’s Longboard final, Sinda Sosdian (Channel Women Surf Club) negotiated broken sections with style to register an 8.13 total and first place; Georgina Lewtas (PSC) came in second with 5.3.

PSC’s Ryan Thomas displaced bucket-loads of channel water on his way to winning the Over 35s with a final tally of 9.93. Just a fin’s width separated second-placed Craig Bright (PSC) and Harry Cromwell (PSC) who clocked 8.5 and 8.17 respectively.

Greg Owen (WCSC) put on a vintage display in the Men’s Over 40 final that played out on the left-hand side (that breaks right) at Llantwit. The Welsh Coast legend posted a combined total of 8.3 to beat second-place Mark Vaughan (CCSC) to the veteran silverware.

Josie Hawke hit the head-high surf with characteristic determination, going rail to rail and smashing inside sections to win the Women’s Open on a 12-point total. Sindia Sosdian (CWSC) nailed two huge turns in a buzzer-beater, her 10.5 tally securing second place.

Logan Nicol took time to open his account in the Men’s final, but patience and intricate break knowledge paid off when the local hacked a chunky right-hander to pieces, earning a 5.5. A superb 8.25 ride just before the hooter set the seal on a hard-earned victory for Nicol. Harry Cromwell almost took to the air on his final wave of the campaign, finishing with 11.2 and the silver medal.

Cromwell’s surfing was bang on the money in the Men’s Open quarter final, where he won Barti’s Wave of the Welsh. A first for the Welsh Nationals, the award goes to the entrant who has the highest scoring wave of the event.

A full-blown back-hand assault on a left peeling wave exhibited seasoned rail work and top-to-bottom surfing that had judges moving to the ‘excellent’ range of the score card. The total of 8.33 was well-deserved, earning Harry a prize purse of £500 courtesy of Barti Rum. Check out @welshsurfing_ on Instagram and judge the wave for yourself!

In summary, the Puravida MiPost Welsh National Surfing Championships ended a difficult year on a hugely successful note. Competitors enjoyed solid surf despite the tough conditions, and all athletes adapted admirably to the changing sea states.

The Welsh Surfing Federation would like to say we are proud to host an Olympic pathway event with nearly 20 surf categories. Our live stream technology and stunning drone footage helps to showcase this beautiful coastline, top quality officiating and outstanding levels of surfing in this country.

A huge list of thank yous to make as follows:

Sponsors & supporters

Jim at Puravida Boardriders store, Penarth.  

Ken Vaughan – McLays & MiPost.

Fran and Jonathan at Barti Spiced Rum.

Huw Williams at Welsh Coffee Co.

Mystic Board Riders.

Mervyn – Power2Go (clean energy packs).

Bethan James – Accommodating officials.

Jonathan Runnalls – www.jon.surf

Tim Aylett – Refresh Technology (live scoring).

Tom Anderson & Rob Blythe – Commentary.

Craig Nicol – Camera Anchor (live stream).

@puravidaboardriders #MiPost @welshcoffeco @bartirum @mysticboarding @refreshtechnology @camera_anchor @jonsurfphoto @crest_cast

A big shout of appreciation also to

Sarah Jones of Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Maria and her staff at Llantwit Major Beach café.

Natalie and Gethin at Llantwit Major surf life-saving club.

Curtis Hancock and all at Channel Coast Surf Club, as well as the local surf community for continuing to support our event.

Rhydian Brewer, Morgan Hendry and all at Christian Surfers Wales for their unwavering support of Welsh Surfing.

WSF Online PR team: Steve White, Sam Johnson, Craig Nicol.

Camera Anchor Live Feed Team: Max, Dayana, and Craig.

Crest Cast Commentators: Tom Anderson and Rob Blythe (& Greg Owen!).

Officials – Mags, Gwen, Kerry, Rhyd, Phil Saddler, Steve, Craig Burrows.

Beach marshal: Huw John.

Head judge: Gwen Spurlock

Forecasting and co-contest directing by Jamie Bateman and Huw John.

Event organiser, co-contest director and commentator: Mark Vaughan.

A massive thank you to the legends that are Linda Sharp and Huw John who are almost entirely responsible for the past 50-plus years of the WSF.

Full event pics available here on jon.surf

FULL RESULTS

JUNIORS

U14 Boys

1st        Bryn Baker (PSC)                      7.00

2nd       Max Davies (PSC)                     3.67

3rd        Oliver Molyneux (WCSC)         2.97

4th        Fyn Bell (PSC)                            2.14

5th        Ted Davies (PSC)                      1.46

U14 Girls

1st        Josie Hawke (PSC)                     9.70    

2nd       Taylor Shelmerdine (LBR)       3.73    

3rd        Indi Ward (CCSC)                      1.60    

U16 Boys

1st        Luca Owen (WCSC)                    9.77

2nd       Arthur Buick (PSC)                     7.70

3rd        Tomos O'Leary (WCSC)             7.07

4th        Coby-Jon Williams (WCSC)        6.80

U16 Girls

1st        Josie Hawke (PSC)                        8.00

2nd       Indi Lynch (PSC)                           4.27

3rd        Poppy Owen (PSC)                       3.67    

4th        Taylor Shelmerdine (LBR)           2.87                

U18 Girls

1st        Josie Hawke (PSC)                          7.56

2nd       Indi Lynch (PSC)                             6.43

3rd        Poppy Owen (PSC)                        3.07

4th        Taylor Shelmerdine (LBR)            3.00

U18 Boys

1st        Euan Buick (PSC)                            13.17

2nd       Willem Beck (PSC)                          9.03

3rd        Tomos O'Leary (WCSC)                  7.83

4th        Coby-Jon Williams (WCSC)             3.10

U18 Longboard          

1st        Willem Beck (PSC)                          6.34

2nd       Katie David (PSC)                           5.90

3rd        Eddie Waring (PSC)                        3.97

SENIORS
 

Men’s Open

1st        Logan Nicol (CCSC)                           13.95

2nd       Harry Cromwell (PSC)                      11.20

3rd        Tom Sheldon (CCSC)                        8.25

4th        Mark Vaughan (WCSC)                     6.00

Women’s Open

1st        Josie Hawke (PSC)                               13.00

2nd       Sindia Sosdian (CWSC)                      10.50

3rd        Katie David (PSC)                                3.20

4th        Georgina Lewtas (PSC)                       2.86

Men’s Longboard

1st        Elliot Dudley (CCSC)                           13.20

2nd       Thomas Fisher (LBR)                          9.07

3rd        Blake Jones (CCSC)                             8.13

Women’s Longboard

1st        Sinda Sosdian (CWSC)                         8.13

2nd       Georgina Lewtas (PSC)                       5.30

Men’s Over 35

1st        Ryan Thomas (PSC)                             9.93

2nd       Craig Bright (CCSC)                             8.50

3rd        Harry Cromwell (PSC)                        8.17

4th        Mark Vaughan (WCSC)                       2.63

Men’s Over 40

1st        Greg Owen (WCSC)                              8.43

2nd       Mark Vaughan (WCSC)                        6.24

3rd        Tom Anderson (CCSC)                        4.57

4th        Gary Lewis (WCSC)                               2.53

Men’s Bodyboard

1st        Tai Jackson (WBC)                               12.84

2nd       George Bevan (WBC)                          4.00