Preston Skimboarding contest is a runaway success!

The 1st ever skimboard contest held at Preston Beach in Paignton last weekend was a
huge success.

The event was blessed with scorching hot sunshine for both days, and had a large entry of
competitors who came to test their skimboarding skills. The competitors, some as young as 5 years old, included both locals and holidaymakers alike. The atmosphere was relaxed, with the emphasis on having fun and enjoying the beach and weather.

The over 16 final was the most intense round of the whole event, with 3 local teenagers Mark Mason, James Thurgood, and Adam Wooton all aiming for top spot. The round ended with James winning by just half a point from Adam Wooton, with Mark Mason in third place, just a half point behind.

There were 3 age categories, Under 11, Under 15 and Over 16. The winners of each category won a Circle One skimboard worth £115 donated by Sandskater, while the 2nd place skimboarders walked away with and Ipod Shuffle donated by the Boathouse. 3rd place got £15 worth of record vouchers kindly donated by local solicitors Perry Mason.

The event which had been organised by local surf shop Sandskater, and the Boathouse at
Preston beach, was the first skimboard contest to be held in the bay, and only the 2nd ever skimboarding contest in the United Kingdom. The event had full backing from Torbay Council and the police, and was helped along by the Preston Community Partnership headed up by Bob Brewis.

There are already calls to make this an annual event, and include it as part of Paignton Regatta. Sandskater owner, Matt Martin said “We are really pleased with the way it all turned out, the kids had a great time and they all want to know when the next event is, so we are going to have to make this a regular occurrence.” “ The council and police have been really supportive, and I can see this event just growing and growing”.

The final results are as follows:

Under 11
1 Kye Deakin
2 William Nicolle
3 Douglas Oakes
4 Patrick Dow
5 Ross Ford
6 Hamish Johnstone
7 Tom Gosling
8 Ashley Davies
9 William Pedrick
10 Josh Ramsey
11 Joe Hazell

Under 15
1 Will Roberts
2 Torsten O’Brien
3 Cameron Leaf
4 Alex Woodmore
5 James Dundon
6 George Doyle
7 Luke Chinnock
8 Will Miles

Over 16
1 James Thurgood
2 Adam Wooton
3 Mark Mason
4 George Harris
5 Sam Tinkler

Photos:
A Herald Express photographer attended the event on the Sunday morning.
If you need any additional photos please email, or call Matt on 01803 522600.