No stopping Ben as he clinches another big title

THE seemingly unstoppable Ben Skinner picked up yet another win at the Extreme Academy Midsummer Classic.

Newquay-based Ben, who is currently Europe's top-ranked longboarder, was awarded top spot in a unanimous decision from the judges. The win extends his lead at the top of the British Longboard Union (BLU) rankings at the mid-way point in the six event series.

Skinner said: "I'm feeling pretty good at the minute, everything's going well. I've been working really hard on my boards and have come up with a new design which is phenomenal.

"I'm on a roll and I feel like it's going to help me step my surfing up a level. After Japan I'm going straight on to Costa Rica for the World Surfing Games, so this is a real good foundation for that. I just want to keep the momentum going and hopefully do well there as well."

Also impressing in the challenging conditions at Watergate Bay were a strong contingent in the junior division. The strong onshore wind didn't do much for the 3ft swell, but the competitive drive and enthusiasm of the surfers won through, as did St Agnes surfer Trevelyan Garland who increased his rankings lead over Mike Lay (2nd) and Matt Travis (3rd).

Jersey's Grace Davies claimed victory in the ladies division, edging out Nicola Bunt in second and Candice O'Donnell in third. The result see Davies and O'Donnell tied in joint first place on the overall rankings. Grace said: "It was tricky out there today, it was hard conditions, but good fun.

"It's always good fun with the girls, we always have a real good giggle. It's a lot different from being in with the boys – I used to do it with the juniors and they're super-competitive – but us girls, we're competitive, but we have a laugh."

The masters' division was won by Adrian "Shag" Howell, who at 6'4" tall and 18 stone was by far the largest competitor taking to the waves at Watergate Bay.

"The waves were a bit small for me today. I'm a big guy so I need bigger waves really, and it was a good win for me," said Howell, who won ahead of Paul Keenan (2nd), Ray Lee (3rd), and event organiser Minnow Green (4th).

"I've been doing the BLU competitions for 10 years or so, the masters is not a big category but we all have fun, we all enjoy ourselves, and we rally round together and have a good laugh. It's good to keep the growth of the sport coming on with the juniors – and they're good too, hopefully there'll be the next world champion in there."

For event organiser Green, it was heartening to see the British longboard scene in great health. With a record six BLU events this year, the organisation received an added boost recently with the news that this year's BLU champions will also become the official British Champions, sanctioned by the British Surfing Association.

Minnow said: "It was a great day, some testing conditions, but a good atmosphere, good turnout and the sun was out which has put a smile on most people's faces.

"I think Ben Skinner and Elliot Dudley have really grabbed the bull by the horns and the level of surfing has gone right up this year.

"And not forgetting people like Ben Haworth, Ben Howey, Dan Harris - there's a whole stream of them that are pushing all the time and I think that's good for British longboarding, and it's proven in that we've got four in the top six surfers in Europe here.

"The suniors are the growth of the sport: Trevelyan Garland from St Agnes is leading the pack at the moment, but Mike Lay and Matt Travis from the Sennen area are pushing all the way, and we've got a new kid on the block from Bude, Lewis Stritch, who is only 14, and made his second final today.

"But the outstanding surfer today? I've got to give it to Ben Skinner – he's won every heat he's been in."

Open: 1st Ben Skinner; 2nd James Parry; 3rd Ashley Braunton; 4th Elliot Dudley.

Ladies: 1st Grace Davies; 2nd Nicola Bunt; 3rd Candice O'Donnell; 4th Becky Stanhope.

Juniors: 1st Trevelyan Garland; 2nd Mike Lay; 3rd Matt Travis; 4th Lewis Stritch.

Masters: 1st Adrian Howell; 2nd Paul Keenan; 3rd Ray Lee; 4th Minnow Green.