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Thanks to photographer Olly Wood.

The video from windsurfing.tv/bwa-avon-beach

Congratulations to Andy Bubble Chambers K-540 to his first victory on the BWA tour.The happy winner reports from the BWA Avon Beach Wave Classic:

With the event in its 3rd year now and without wind or waves for the first 2 years it was decided to bring this year’s event forward to September to make sure we had the best chance of the Autumn wind. 3 Big storms out in the Atlantic were pushing swell up towards the UK but we still needed some wind… Storm Ali was the first to hit the UK shores with lots of good wind during the week before the event which acted as a great warm up session. The forecast for the first day was a strong Westerly wind which means we had to move the event to my local beach Southbourne. Usually Southbourne picks up more swell but it can produce a heavy shore break at high tide. We got to the beach at 7.30 am to be greeted by perfect side shore wind and head high waves!!! And it was sunny!!

The competition got going quickly so I rigged my 5.0, 4.5 and 4.0 Neil Pryde Combat with my JP Slate 87. I was in the first heat against some good guys and managed to get through with some good wave rides and back loops. As we went through the day the wind increased and I kept changing down sail size but always keeping on the Slate 87. It’s amazing how much wind range and versatility this board has! The waves kept increasing as well which meant, as we got to the final heats, there were lots of big jumps and high wave scores going down. I ended up in the final with Ben Profitt, Adam Lewis and other local ripper James Cox. I managed to get 2 really good waves with a shaka on the wave and some good backside airs to take the win in the single elimination, with James Cox in 2nd, Adam Lewis in 3rd and Ben Profitt in 4th.

After that I had to wait for the double elimination to get going and wait to see who came through to challenge me for the top spot… It turned out that Ben Profitt had the skills on his bad tack and we had a great and very close final heat! The waves were nice and bowly and the Slate was the perfect board to get really into the pockets of the bowly sections when riding but then it has such great speed to make sure I got some good high jumps. In the end I managed to take the win which is my first ever win in a wave competition and now puts me in first place overall after 2 events on the British Wave Tour.

I couldn’t be more happy to have an event at my local spot in good waves, good wind and sun with my friends but then to actually win the event makes it extra special! Also so happy to have the right gear and be super dialled in with it to make sure I gave the best performance I could.

Congrats from BenThe top 4 riders and one BIG SMILE !