ELUSIVE WELSH OPEN SET TO BE EPIC EVENT

11^th 12th October 2008

Rest Bay, Porthcawl Wales

www.bpsauktour.com

The ‘Elusive Welsh Open’ will be taking place this weekend, 11^th 12^th October at Rest Bay Porthcawl. Surf conditions look to be the best we have had for Wales in the last eight years and will be the best on the tour this year so far. That combined with the level of surfing, will make the event one not to be missed.

Entries include: past WCT surfer Russell Winter, who is still regarded by many as one of the best, if not the best surfer in Europe. Also competing will be Ruebyn Ash (Bude), winner of the last event on the tour, returning from Mundaka where he competed against Kelly Slater who went on to win his ninth World Title. Not to mention Sam Lamiroy (Newcastle) 2007 UK Pro Surf Tour Champion and Jye Gofton (Aus) past World Junior Champion. Entries coming from Wales include five Welsh Champions: Lloyd Cole (Swansea), Greg Owen (Porthcawl), Mark Vaughan (Llantwit), Nick Reid (Swansea) and Nathan Phillips (Llantwit)

The event will not just be for the men there is also a Women’s division. 2007 Tour Champion Gwen Spurlock (Swansea) starts her tour campaign late this year after recovering from a very serious head injury. Other top girls competing include: English champion Holly Donnelly (Newquay) and up and coming surf stars Zoe Sheath (Isle of White) and Tassy Swallow (Penzance).

Event three on the UKPST Pro Junior Series will also take place and will feature the future talent of British and Welsh Surfing. Which include: Ruebyn Ash, Tom and Jack Butler (Newquay), Josh Piper (Newquay) and local favourites Robert Blythe (Porthcawl) and Max Tucker (Porthcawl)

The event will also host a party on Saturday 11^th, local band "Jasper" will be playing in the Atlantic Hotel, doors open at 7pm with free entry. Raffle in the night with excellent prizes, all proceeds going to Christian Surfers.

Dave Reed, Director of the UKPST comments ”With the best surf forecast we have had this year 4 – 6ft swell, 11-13 second swell period and light winds, conditions will be ideal and allow surfers to perform at their best. Making the competition an event not to be missed by surfers and spectators alike”.

Nick Clewer, founder and Company Director of Elusive further comments, “With the swell forecast looking good, the possibility of some Welsh sunshine & the level of competitors entered I think we’re in for a good one”

Greg Owen, Past Welsh Champion and normally a man with plenty to say adds “ It should be a good weekend”

Many thanks need to go to Surfboard Tracker www.surfboardtracker.com for their support for this event.

Also to the Atlantic hotel www.atlantichotelporthcawl.co.uk the official hotel for the event who are offering discounted rooms for anyone staying over the contest weekend.

A big thanks go out to 2008 UK PST sponsors, including Relentless for providing, not only an endless supply of energy drink but also money manoeuvre prize of £250.

Last but not least, thank you from the organisers must go out to Brigend council for their support for the event, which will help the future growth of the sport in Wales

Press Release:

ELUSIVE SPONSORS THE WELSH PRO SURF TOUR EVENT

Stop No 5 of 9 on 2008 UK PST
11th 12th October 2008
Rest Bay, Porthcawl Wales
www.bpsauktour.com


The ‘Elusive Welsh Open’, sponsored by Elusive Clothing for the second year running (www.elusivesurf.com) promises to be bigger and better than last year. It is to be held 11th 12th October 2008 at Rest Bay Porthcawl. The event is the 5th of 9 UK Pro Tour (UKPST) competitions being held this year.

This is the eighth year the tour has come to Wales, the second time at Porthcawl. Previous years the event has been held at Freshwater Beach in Pembrokeshire and prior to that it has been hosted at Langland Bay and Llanglennith Beach. This venue offers a fantastic challenge for the surfers, who at this time of year will see some of the best swell coming in from the Atlantic Ocean.

The event will attract the top surfers from all over the country including some top international competitors. These include 2007 Tour Champion Sam Lamiroy (Newcastle), WQS / WCT Surfer Russell Winter (Newquay), 2006 Tour Champion Ruebin Pearce (S Africa) plus many more. They will be joined by the best Welsh surfers around which include: Nathan Phillips (Llantwit), Nick Reid (Swansea) and top local surfer Greg Owen (former Welsh Champion).

The event will not just be for the men there is also a Women’s division. 2007 Tour Champion Gwen Spurlock (Swansea) starts her tour campaign late this year after recovering from a very serious head injury. Other top girls competing include: English champion Holly Donnelly (Newquay) and up and coming surf star Zoe Sheath (Isle of White).

This year we will also see event 3 on the UKPST Pro Junior Series which will feature the future talent of British and Welsh Surfing. With the likes of Tom and Jack Butler (Newquay), Stuart Campbell (Woolacombe) and Tom Good (Welsh Team member) compete in the first UKPST Pro Junior event in Wales.
Dave Reed, Director of the UKPST states ”It is great to be going back to Porthcawl again, we would like to thank Elusive for supporting this event giving the surfers an opportunity to compete in Wales” adding “There are many talented Welsh surfers who will make the most of home advantage in this competition”.

Nick Clewer, founder and Company Director of Elusive further comments, “I´d like to say how Elusive are excited to be involved with the
tour once again and to build on last years success”.

Many thanks need to go to Surfboard Tracker www.surfboardtracker.com for their support for this event. Also the Atlantic hotel are the official hotel for the event and are offering discounted rooms for anyone staying over the contest weekend.

A big thanks go out to 2008 UK PST sponsors, including Relentless for providing, not only an endless supply of energy drink but also money manoeuvre prize of £250.

Last but not least, thank you from the organisers must go out to Brigend council for their support for the event, which will help the future growth of the sport in Wales