Moskito Surf Tour wings its way to Fistral Beach

ONE of Europe's most respected tours for young surfers is set to hit Newquay's Fistral Beach this weekend.

The Moskito Surf Tour 2008, presented by Electric, Santa Cruz, Globe and FCS will showcase the hottest grom talent that the UK has as they compete at Newquay in a leg of the tour which then continues throughout Europe.

Created in 2001, the annual Moskito Tour has become an established part of the French and Spanish surfing calendars for young kids of all levels.

Now in its eighth year, the 2008 Newquay contest will be the second time the competition has taken place in the UK and following the Cornwall event, there will be seven further stops across Europe before the final culmination in August.

With divisions for both girls and boys the two day event is guaranteed to be action packed with surfing heats running throughout both days, culminating in the final planned to be held at the end of the weekend.

Simon Tucker, from Santa Cruz, said: “The Moskito Tour is all about developing surfing at a grassroots level that is why our emphasis is on youth surfing. Our aim is to initiate kids into a professionally run event in partnership with the local surf club, our ongoing partnership with the BSA allows us to do this successfully at Fistral Beach.”

Karen Walton, National Director of the BSA, said: “The Moskito Tour has a great philosophy and with the continuing tour across Europe, this gives our British competitors a chance to pit themselves against their counterparts in other countries. There's always a great atmosphere and the surfers and judges are all very much looking forward to next weekend.”

● UK entrants for the Moskito Tour Event are required to be members of the BSA and should contact them on 01637 876474 to register for the contest. The divisions are as follows: under 12, under 14, under 16 and girls under 16.