Big Success For The White Stuff Surf Relief Day

Thousands of visitors and locals alike headed to Watergate Bay this weekend for the awesome White Stuff Surf Relief Day, an event packed full with fun, action, music and surfing. Over £7,000, was raised on the day and with additional funding still to come the charity is likely to reach the target of £10,00 from the event.

As a result, the invaluable ‘Surfable’ project will now be able to support hundreds of disabled and disadvantaged children through the process of learning to surf. Delighted organisers from White Stuff, Surf Relief UK arrived on the beach to find a perfect morning - the sun was shining, the wind had dropped and the surf was a fun 2-3 ft. Four sky divers from the Perranporth based Cornwall Parachute Club kicked off the day descending onto the packed beach where excited onlookers watched on in awe.

A packed schedule of activities that provided fun for all the family continued throughout the day with a big sand castle building contest which witnessed the creation of some interesting beach sculptures including a huge octopus and a lady surfer lying on a board! The circus skills area, White Stuff T-shirt painting tent and Blue Reef Aquarium rock pool roadshow were really popular with the enthusiastic crowds. The White Stuff Surf Relief pro surfing competition took place throughout the day and onlookers witnessed some impressive riding from surfers from all over the UK, Australia and South Africa.

The Men’s Open saw a tight final between Johnny Fryer, Paul Kirby and Chris Schnitzer but it was Australia’s Jarred Sullivan who clinched the Surf Relief UK Cup. He said, “I’m stoked to have won the White Stuff SRUK Cup. There were a lot of good surfers competing at Watergate today and there has been a great vibe throughout the whole day.

It’s been a load of fun and I definitely think that Surf Relief is a great cause so it’s been a pleasure to be surfing and know that we’re doing some good for people who need our help.”In the Women’s event, Ceri Edwards, Zoe Sheath, Nicola Bunt and Holly Mather all impressed judges however it was Holly who took the top spot and the winnings.

In the Under 16’s Open Joe Humphries, Leon Maisfield, Harry Timson and Josh Piper all worked hard however it was a delighted Josh who scooped the prize money. In true Surf Relief style there was a fun board competition which Lewis Timson, Ben Skinner and Chris Thompson all entered but it was the tandem surfers Tom Pope and Paddy Daniels that brought the most smiles on the beach and won the competition. Enthusiastic local companies generously sponsored the surf teams, these included Adventure Cornwall, Gone Feral, Extreme Academy Watergate Bay, Reef Surf Lodge & Surf School, Mojito, Rushbox, Christian Surfers, Seabase, Evo Management, Skinners and The Print Environment. Rush Box took first place, Extreme Academy took second and Gone Feral took third place in the team event.Also present for their national launch was Freedom Surf School, the UK's first ever surf school for disabled people.

Showing the valuable work that they do, the school taught two kids with autism in the morning and two paraplegic men in the afternoon. Founder Mark Hill said, “Today has gone really well and I’m really pleased. I’m honoured to have been able to launch the initiative at the White Stuff Surf Relief Day and I look forward to working with them in the future.”The trainee chefs from Fifteen Cornwall also got in on the fun, donning wetsuits and taking to the water, some for the very first time. Camella Cotton, a trainee chef from Newquay joined the team and said, “I stood up and rode it all the way to the beach, I really want to buy a board and do it more often now and I can check the surf every time I am at work.”

The day ended on a perfect note at the Sunset Sessions. Masterminded by Newquay’s Barefeet Promotions. Enthusiastic crowds gathered around to enjoy the live music from Johnny Pioneer, Tarka Groove, Two Spot Gobi, Barnaby Ray Quartet and Jackson Analogue. Newquay boys Jona and James from Barnaby Ray Quartet commented, “You can’t beat the setting for the White Stuff event. Normally we play in really smoky clubs and tonight were playing to the ocean and all for this really great cause so it’s been really special!” Susan Crawford, Marketing Manager from White Stuff commented, “We’re so proud to have been part of such a successful event. The White Stuff Surf Relief Day has brought together the best of surfing, music and family entertainment here at Watergate Bay and we’re delighted that the charity has raised so much money that will help so many people.”Dave Manley Chairman of Surf Relief UK said, “Without a doubt, today has been a fantastic success!

The combination of good weather, waves and enthusiastic support from local companies and the public has helped to raise over £7,000, some of which will be going towards supporting a surf camp for 100 autistic children this September in South Devon. It will also help to support a network of surf schools for disadvantaged children and we really need to say a special thanks to White Stuff and Watergate Bay. Without them today would not have been possible and I really hope that we can make it even bigger and better this time next year.”

Eden Sessions Spectaculily Back On Form

The large, dark, beehive-shaped cloud that was hanging over Eden yesterday has parted and, lo, we all did Smile.Yes, blog devotees, for those of you who weren't there the whole gig was an absolute triumph. From the beautiful weather (is it summer yet?), to the happy-go-lucky atmosphere of the packed crowd to the huge talents on stage, everything just went right.

My new best mate Mark Ronson kicked things off with what was possibly the most profane performance ever seen at Eden, featuring a remarkable collection of collaborators including Alex Greenwald (whose vocal talents feature on Ronson's cover of Radiohead's Just and whom I bumped into in the crowd after their set) and Daniel Merriweather (Stop Me).It was a full-on, sugar-rush performance with Ronson playing the pouting, slightly anonymous Posh Spice to Greenwald, Merriweather, singer Talia and rapper Wale's bouncing cheerleaders.

It was a short set but they packed 'em in - Ooh Wee, Stop Me, God Put a Smile Upon Your Face, Just - and left the audience gagging for the main event.And then there was Lily. A vision in a flowing white dress, she was instantly at home with the Eden crowd who took to her like sherbet to a lolly.

"What an amazing place to do a gig in," she said, "I don't think we've ever played to such an up-for-it audience... I'm shaking!"For an artist with only one album to draw material from, Lily delivered a remarkably full show. Her songs - Smile, LDN, Alfie - are eminently, infectiously danceable and her writing has an uncanny instant charm about it, like you've known a tune forever even if you've only just heard it. And yes, as predicted, Ronson and his band returned for a duet on Oh My God, the Kaiser Chiefs number she did for Version.

It was indeed a bit of pop history, being the first time they'd ever performed on stage together.Everyone - Lily, Mark, the bands, the guest vocalists, the crowd, me - had fun last night and if that wasn't the perfect time for a bit of dancetastic beat-driven pop then I don't think there will ever be one.Lily said it was "one of our best gigs ever." You know what, Lily? It was one of ours too.

The Fat Face Night Surf

The Fat Face Night Surf, part of the Fat Face Night Series Tour and the second leg of the UK Pro Surf Tour, took place on the weekend of the 22nd -24th of June at Lusty Glaze.

With the conditions proving to be most challenging, all 3 events were run including the Men’s, Women’s and Longboard as well as the Grom tour on Sunday and of course the relentless money manoeuvre- the best floater!.

Friday greeted the large crowds with 1-2 foot onshore swell in which all surfers made the most out of these challenging conditions. In addition to the surfing the crowds were treated to a great party both Friday and Saturday nights, featuring live music acts, volleyball competitions and of course the Barbie! A great display was also seen by the Red Arrows which attracted large crowds down to the beach from all over.

Displaying one of the most spectacular air shows ever seen down in Cornwall the show was a great success.Saturday greeted the surfers with similar conditions, surfing went on throughout the day with standouts including Russell Winter, ‘Skippy’ Skilton and Jarred Sulliven. Great surfing ability was seen by Mark ‘Egor’ Harris who showed off some excellent surfing in the most challenging conditions seen yet on the tour this year. Mark swept through his heats securing a place in the final alongside England’s top surfer, Russell winter, Porthtowan’s, Shaun Skilton, and international competitor Jarrad Sulliven from Australia.With Russell not yet being defeated on a UK Pro Surf Tour event, an interesting final was to be seen with the whole beach lit up with spectators from all over the country flooding down to watch the final heat of the day. Jarrad selected the better waves coming through with great skill and judgement allowing him to provide bigger and better manoeuvres.

Unfortunately for Russell, he only managed to select waves that opened up for one manoeuvre and this was not enough to topple of the Australian. So close after coming out of injury, Russell did not go away empty handed winning the ‘Relentless money manoeuvre’ for best floater seen over the duration of the weekend winning a neat little cheque of £250.Winner, Jarrad Sulliven spoke “Thanks to all the sponsors for a great event and thanks to Dave Reed, contest director, and the team for a great opportunity in competing within the Uk Pro Tour and I hope to continue competing in other upcoming events within the tour”.

Also seen on Saturday was the women’s division with Newquay based Holly Donnelly now leading the woman’s tour, despite being 15 years of age, her win preceded in putting her into the lead. With the conditions being small, Holly was at a huge advantage and as a result taking home the title in the woman’s division, beating last years title holder, Nicole Morgan from Ireland. Holly also secured second place in the under 16 girls division held on Sunday. In the Longboard division Chris Thompson of Newquay defeated challengers from all over the country to take the title.Sunday resulted in similar conditions running the under 12’s, under 16’s girls and boys. Newquay based grom Harry Timson showed off some spectacular surfing maintaining his title and holding leadership on the tour for what could be seen the second year running.

Harry has won both events this year and is yet to express fantastic surfing ability throughout the year. Harry stated, “I had a great final although the conditions were challenging. The sets were pretty inconsistent but I made the most of what was there by picking the better set waves,”Further results were Gwen Spurlock, winning the under 16’s division, securing her title for another year. Gwen showed off some better manoeuvres of the day making the most of the set waves coming through. Stuart Campbell took the under 16’s boys title beating Tom Good, Toby Donachie and Lewis Clinton in the finals. Dave Reed contest director spoke, “this is the 7th annual Fat Face night series event and it was a great success. We managed to live stream the whole event which has never been done before, giving us vast coverage all over the world. The conditions were most challenging, however, all surfers excelled themselves and have furthermore shown how competitive and professional surfing has become in the UK.

A big thanks to the red Arrows for their support of the event and hope to see them back in our future tournaments.A big thanks to skinners ale for coming onboard this year alongside relentless energy drink in supporting the tour and providing the money manoeuvre prize. The next leg of the tour will be the ‘Hot Tuna Open’, August bank holiday.

Morrison Breaks On Through

So, there I was ready for barnstorming renditions of Break on Through, Riders on the Storm and End when some floppy-haired bloke from Truro strides onto the stage. Eh? Jim Morrison's looking a bit more clean-cut than he used to.But this, of course, was Truro boy James, not Doors frontman Jim (who happens to be dead), playing to a sold-out house and reminding your bloggespondant just how good the atmosphere at a packed Eden gig is.If you'll permit me a quintessentially British interlude, I'll admit that I was worried about the weather all day. It was raining and raining and raining and after the biblical weather we had for the Gabriel gig I didn't hold out much hope for damp-fearing Morrison fans. But, miraculously, it all cleared about an hour before festivities kicked off and stayed good all evening.Things started well with support act Rushmore who, like Charlie Winston at Gabriel, were little-known but mighty impressive and dealt with the rather daunting prospect of playing in front of an already pretty packed arena admirably. Their version of the Littlest Hobo theme tune (which they played twice) ranks alongside Show of Hands's rendition of Marley's No Woman No Cry as most bizarre Sessions cover this year (although expect Mark Ronson to trump them both on July 18).Then on came James, fresh from his soiree with the royals, and the female bias of the crowd became blatantly apparent as he was greeted by the kind of cheers and screams normally reserved for Orlando Bloom. All right for some, eh James?It's easy to forget when looking at the bloke just how big his voice is. For someone whom motherly types must constantly be trying to feed ("You're all skin and bones, love"), he's got soul like James Brown and smoothness like Ray LaMontagne. And his dancing, well: it has to be seen to be believed. His band backed him up well too, creating a large, swelling sound that filled the arena brilliantly.All in all, the whole thing was a huge success. Cracking atmosphere, an enthusiastic crowd and a performer at the top of his game who seemed to really enjoy himself.Here's hoping for similar goodness from the Rufus Wainwright/Hot Chip gig on July 10. There's still tickets available (01726 811972, www.edenbookings.com) and it promises to be a special one. After all, Rufus got naked in Truro and dragged-up at Glasto and Hot Chip are just about the coolest thing in electronic music right now. What more could you ask for?