Top surfers on the Isle of Wight competed to be crowned the greatest at Compton Bay.
The Dave Gray Memorial Surfing Competition took place on Sunday (13) Bay in highly contestable 2-3ft clean surf.
The contest marked the remembrance of Dave Gray, one of the Island's most influential surfers, who sadly passed away in 2017. The club also marked Remembrance Day by gathering on the clifftop for two minutes silence at 11am, with passers-by joining the surfers to pay their respects.
This year's event was well attended, with divisions including the Open, Womens, Junior Under 18 and Junior Under 14 - all drawing talented local surfers to the line-up.
(Picture: Toby Payne)
An early stand-out was Toby Payne (11) who caught the eye of the judges with some fantastic surfing both before and during the event. Toby's enthusiasm in and out of the water lead him to be the well-deserved winner of the U14 category.
(Picture: Casper Hornsby)
Hot on his heels in second was Casper Hornsby (11), who showed that there's more than one competitive surfer in the Hornsby household. Beaux Harwood (11) was both graceful and dynamic in her approach to take third, and rounding off the final was Lilah Ranson (8). Lilah got some of the biggest cheers of the event.
(Picture: Beaux Harwood)
(Picture: Jago Tasker)
Jago Tasker (14) - fresh off a highly successful season competing all-around the UK - showed why he is now considered one of the best up and coming surfers in England. Jago took the win the Under 18 category. Fynn Truman (16) placed second.
(Picture: Fynn Truman)
Third place went to relative newcomer to the Surf Club, Kallum Orchard (18) who surfed really well to get himself on the podium. Rounding out the Junior U18 Final was Isaac Boswell (14). Isaac who spends part of his year in Morocco really knows how to turn a surfboard.
(Picture: Isaac Boswell)
(Picture: Kallum Orchard)
Jago continued his winning streak by securing 1st in the Open division against a field of tough opponents.
Sam Ranson, Isle of Wight Surf Club Chairman, said:
"Jago's surfing just keeps getting better month on month, year-on-year. I think we all knew he was going to start beating the men in competition; although some of us hoped he might give the old guard a few more years before sending us out to pasture. They'll be a few experienced surfers working on their A game for the next event!"
(Picture: Andrew Tyrrell)
Andrew Tyrrell made some critical turns to place second, with Dougie Newell in third on a board he made himself. Taking fourth in the Open Final was Harry Matthews.
(Picture: Dougie Newell)
Sam added:
"Harry caught more waves than the rest of the competitors put together! He shall now be known as 'The Energizer Bunny' or just 'bunny' for short, which I'm sure he'll enjoy.
"Thank you to all the supporters of the event: Rapanui, Earth Wind Water, Honeybourne Jewellery, Stance Europe and Glory Art Glass."
(Picture: Harry Matthews)
The Isle of Wight Surf Club has a strong female membership and the Women's division was a competitive affair. Madi Dew and Cordelia Dewey went back and forth for the win, but with a couple of critical turns, Madi gave the point of difference to take first place with Cordelia second. Frida Hornsby (15) the only junior to make the Women's final, surfed well to take 3rd place with Sarah Archer 4th overall.
(Picture: Madi Dew)
(Picture: Cornelia Dewey)
(Picture: Frida Hornsby)
(Picture: Lilah Ranson)
The day finished with the prize giving and a skate for the all the competitors at Canopy Skatepark.
The next event is The Isle of Wight Open in memory of Lee Sheaff. The waiting period is February - March 2023; the contest will be called on only with head high plus surf!
(Pictures by Paul Blackley)
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