Newquay Event - Surfboats Race in Newquay

See details of UKSRL's 2012Surfboat racing - described as one of the world’s most visually exciting competitive events - is the up and coming must-see spectacle for those who love the thrills and spills of water sports ... but don’t like getting their feet wet. Were you there on the golden sands at Watergate Bay on July 9 to fall under the spell of this macho Aussie import?

When one thinks about surfing, an image of a surfboard and a wetsuit immediately spring to mind, perhaps with the addition of a sail for windsurfing or a kite for kite surfing. All essentially individual wave riding sports. Now take a 180kg fibre-glass surfboat with four rowers and a "sweep" or steersman standing at the stern and then takeoff on a wave. The ultimate example of team surfing and a massive adrenalin rush for the crew.

It’s the manpower with the will to win, a long fibre-glass surfboat and Atlantic rollers that makes this event so exciting and a totally different wave riding sport to enjoy.

The competition on Saturday, July 9 at Watergate Bay, near Newquay, proved the point. Have a look at the following and appreciate the fitness, strength and dedication each competitor needs to take part in this exciting sport.

The challenge was part of the Summer Series - a five event competition - for male and female crews scheduled over the summer months. Crews compete in three "round robin" races. At each event the six highest scoring crews go forward to row for the "golden point" final on the day. Crews accrue points at each event and these points are carried forward to the next event.

The winning Men and Women crews are those with the highest scoring overall at the end of the 5 Round Series (similar to football league).

The day's results:

• Mens - 1st Porthtowan Blue Bali, 2nd Bude Barracudas, 3rd Perranporth Probables, 4th Bournemouth Immortals

• Womens - 1st Porthtowan Black & Blue, 2nd Perranporth Phoenix, 3rd Porthtowan Blue Rinsers, 4th Bournemouth Bachannals

For other exciting sporting activities, check the What's On in Newquay page.

All Photographs by Mike McLaren. Copyright:newquay.co.uk