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Oceanperf UK 2024 Wrapped

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 23:28:47 GMT

The year of 2024, guys and gals racing across the UK, Europe and the world making memories and accomplishing dreams.

BRITS didn’t just turn up to compete, we turned up as GREAT Britain and showed how great we could be.

Ellie McCloy kicked off the year in France, jumping off the cliffs in Biarritz at the Red Bull Rescue, the Welsh doctor finished a strong second place.

Bobby ‘Knuckles’ Whitaker created the first piece of history in 2024 down under at the Queensland state championships, finishing 9 ^th in the Ironman…

The best result by a British Ironman at the QLD state champs, EVER.

In Western Australia Drew Howells started his golden run, winning the u19 WA Ski title, adopted Brit Grace Young also struck gold winning the u19 WA Ironwomen title.

The clubbie season in the UK started with the GBR trials once more, in the men’s, Samuel Lawman returned as Captain alongside Thomas Trebilcock, Piran Phillips and Whitaker.

Jack Sadberry and Thomas Leggett rounded out the team making their senior debuts.

For the women, McCloy, Molly Roodhouse, Evie Wong and Millie Wiggins returned, Anya Hocking and Rosie Edwards made their Senior debuts.

In the youth boys, Kiran Gammon, Cai Williams and Terry Miller returned, Tristyn James alongside Iwan Scrivens and Jayden Beaumont made debuts.

For the girls, Farli Abram-Bridges, Maisy Hawkins, Amaia Lopez and Heather Watson maintained their spots, Charlotte Hart and Lillian Roche made their debuts.

At the Welsh Championships Howells asserted ski dominance, McCloy showed her class in the iron and board, Wong was unstoppable on the beach and ski.

In Cornwall youngies Owen Pope won the Iron and Hayden Phillips claimed the board, Euan Dungavel returned to the top on the ski and Lewis Rosewell WON THE SWIM???

The women battled the Cornish swell, Kezia Elliot became the Ironwomen champ, Hawkins jumped up to the open to win the board along with Roche in the swim, Edwards continued her regular scheduled programme of winning the ski race.

Back up to Branksome we went for the age group nationals for A LOT of racing, to sum it up, Gammon dominated the boy’s water and Williams was invincible across sand, in the girls Hawkins and Roche kept standing on top of the podium in fashion.

The Oceanperf Challenge UK followed once more, in the men, wins came in a dominant display, Whitaker taking the swim, board and Iron, Phillips in the ski and Kiwi Daniel Rippon won the flags.

Dash for cash was the story of the women at the OPC UK, and the sprint Queen Wong made sure of that, winning the board, ski and flags, Roche won her first Ironwomen title and Abi Davies cashed in the swim.

Next up was the Oceanperf Challenge France, the glorious French sunshine and waves, but a beach that gave Whitaker nightmares, did he jump or fall off that board? I’m pretty he slewed his ski last year? None of it matters now, because Whitaker finally triumphed winning the OPC FR Ironman title, while becoming the first person to win both UK and French rounds in the same year.

A round of applause must be given to French women Elise Daudignon who won the women’s board, ski, iron and flags, becoming the first to win four events at the Oceanperf Challenge.

Then it was the big one, the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT GOLD COAST AUSTRALIA!!!

An early Wednesday morning kick started the youths medal haul, Lopez, Watson, Gammon and Williams earning a bronze in the SERC.

The youth delivered a historic performance in the ocean, Gammon and Beaumont won a bronze in the board rescue, Williams and Miller joined the pair shortly after to win a silver in the boy’s Taplin, followed by Hart’s silver in the ironwomen which claimed GBR’s only individual youth medal.

On the second day of competition the medal run continued, Hart and Hawkins took a bronze in the board rescue, to round of the ocean Hart was back on the podium alongside Gammon, Miller and Abram-Bridges to bring home a bronze in the mixed Taplin.

Into the pool the youth went, first up Tristyn James earned a bronze in the 200m obstacle, then Lopez and Watson finished the youth’s medal tally with a silver in the girl’s line throw.

Across to the Open, and oh the story lines of the GBR team!!!

The men started in the pool, narrowly missing out on defending their 4x50m Obstacle relay, Trebilcock, Lawman, Leggett and Sadberry claimed an unbelievable bronze but missed gold by 0.5 seconds.

And then…

Trebilcock, we watched, we grimaced, we prayed, but all that was really happening was Treb having a good time on the green whistle.

A slipped radial bone from the elbow meant Trebilcock was out for the rest of the season, but no one let that dam elbow break in vain going onto the ocean.

Legget stepped up to swim the men’s Taplin, he tagged Phillips on the ski, Phillips tagged Whitaker on the board, Whitaker tagged Lawman who strolled across the line for bronze, which claimed GBR’s first World men’s Taplin medal.

The wind picked up and with it a small swell, Whitaker and the World Championship ironman, it’s a thing of beauty, narrowly missing the podium to finish fourth, equalling GBR’s best ever finish in the Ironman since Stuart Snell in 2004.

Has Whitaker made a case for GREATEST OF ALL TIME status across GBR Ironmen? A debate for another time…

Day two and the final day, the girl from Rhoose, the little town in the South of Wales, she loves to talk, she loves to party, she loves to run, but she loves to win ski race’s more, Evie Wong, she lead the women’s World Championship ski race for 99.9%, but Aussie Naomi Scott stole the gold across the line, Wong settled for a super silver.

And then…

Yes, the writer of this 2024 review, me, Piran Phillips, my ski race, I think we all know how this race ended… “That’s Lifesaving and is why we love it”.

To finish of the medal haul for GBR, possibly came with the biggest smile of the trip as McCloy claimed her first ever World Championship medal, herself and partner Hocking wrapped up a third in the board rescue.

Athletes returned home, the sun didn’t return from Aus with the GBR team but they brought the swell for a memorable nationals at Fistral.

Whitaker was once again the main man, retaining the board title for a third time, regaining the iron and winning his first British surf race title.

Chris Parry made the comeback which had been whispered across the sand for nearly five years, easily doing the double in sprints and flags.

Howells then wrapped up his golden 2024, as he obliterated the entire open ski field to become the British champ.

A Welsh lad living his dream, Howells can billionaire strut around the whole ski field throughout 2025, he got more ski titles than any paddler from 2024 and it wasn’t close.

Oliver Brunnock rounded out the individuals by storming to victory in the 2km beach run, as did Hollie Lewis in the women’s.

I can’t remember the last time Wong lost a beach sprint or flags against another British opponent, and it doesn’t look like it’ll happen anytime soon, she yet again won the double.

Plenty of Kiwi’s in the past have turned up to the British nationals, but rarely have they managed to dominate like Lucy Stroud, crushing the ironwomen title and claiming the board across the line.

Edwards retained the women’s ski title in a race of chaos, she kept her ski straight and powered across the finish line, if she doesn’t get hit by a bomb off the start, she is a shout to win any ski race, anywhere in the world.

Perhaps a star in the making, Ella D Jones of Woolacoombe at just age 17 won an unbelievable women’s swim race.

To finish the UK season was the Celtic Cup, on home soil the Welsh dominated, retaining their title by winning the Seniors and Youth.

Back down under the racing went, first up was the Coolangatta Gold, 42km across Australia’s Gold Coast, 23km ski, 1km sand run, 4km swim, 6km board, 8km sand run, Phillips completed the race in 4 hours 29 minutes, the fastest time set by a UK athlete.

Miller travelled across to WA for the Shaw and Partners Race Week and CLEANED UP, and claimed some good cash along the way, winning five from five races in the u18’s, a feat that should not be downplayed and might not be repeatable. #

The Aussies got beat in their own back yard, then just a few weeks later the Safa’s got a taste of British brilliance as well in theirs.

Edwards paddled to an unbelievable victory at the Cape Point challenge in South Africa.

In the days before Christmas, Phillips travelled to Adelaide in the third major round of the World Ocean Series and spent the rest of 2024 leading the ski rankings after being the only person to top 10 in all Ten- and Seven-thousand-point races so far.

In doing so became the first European to top a World Ocean Series rankings at any point in the season.

So that’s 2024 wrapped up, and wow, what a year, but here we go, lets all go create more history in 2025.

OCEANPERF UK WRAPPED 2023

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 10:49:45 GMT

INCREDIBLE performances, crazy stories and unforgettable memories, lets take a look back at 2023.

The first competition of the year began in February at the Red Bull Rescue in Biarritz France, daring jumps within a gruelling iron, Rest Bay's Ellie McCloy stormed to victory in the Women's race, David Buil from Spain won the men's race.

Then came the pool events and the spark of Charlie Haynes' return, as he took victory at the British nationals in the 50m Manakin Carry, pool specialists Samuel Lawman and James Blaby powered their way to titles alongside a seemingly unbeatable Thomas Trebilcock.

SLSGB Pool Nationals saw the arrival of stars Izzie Leigh and Molly Roodhouse, both claimed national titles, a maiden for Leigh, while Emma Henderson returned to regain some of her former glory.

Great Britain Ocean Ski series kicked off, paddlers toured the country in some long hot races in the early summer, Ryan "Scooby" Lark told everyone he is as fit as ever at the Epic Bay, Rosie Edwards displayed her dominance on the ski countless times and McCloy showed she's not just an Ironwomen at Rhoose.

A British crew travelled to Dinard France for the French Rescue, Australian turned British Grace Young sprung into our lives after winning the Youth Ironwomen, Kiran Gammon won the Youth Surf race and Evie Wong won the women's ski. Bob Whittaker, Piran Phillips, Mat Rowlands and McCloy all brought home medals against Europe's best.

The GBR teams for the Senior and Youth European Championships were set after the GBR trials at Branksome, Roodhouse showed she's not just a pool swimmer as she earned her first senior cap with Leigh, Wong was also awarded her first senior cap. Haynes finally found form to return to the national team and the returning Henderson. Phillips, Whittaker, Lawman, Trebilcock and Blaby completed the men's team, McCloy and Georgia Hawkins rounded out the women's.

An exciting Youth GBR team was announced, including many debutants, Owen Pope, Freddie Postlewaite, Farli Abram-Bridges and Maisy Hawkins. Gammon, Terry Miller, Luke Waterfall and Cai Williams returned for the boy’s team, the girls brought back Annabelle Williams, Amaia Lopez, Heather Watson and Anya Hocking.

St Ives biathlon returned for the first time since the Coronavirus, Williams had just been announced in the Youth GBR team and put in a star struck performance, after a run and swim Haynes only just beat Williams on a sprint up the beach. Williams won the women’s, Haynes finished fourth in the men’s behind three elite triathletes.

In a year of comebacks, Woolacoombe returned the King’s race, a long-distance Iron in the pumping surf. Miller of Polzeath led the majority of the race after passing Phillips on the ski, but a mistake on the board meant fellow youngster Pope was victorious. Phillips ultimately finished second and Miller third. Skye Pirie took out the women’s race.

A windy and wavy July caused Cornish and Welsh championships to be postponed or incomplete, meanwhile Gammon controlled the Devon champs.

Back down to France the racing went, 13 of Britain’s finest competed at the Oceanperf Challenge France, the classic Hossegor surf delivered. Haynes the only British winner as he claimed the ski title. The French dominated, Nikita Serran and Julen Marticorena won the Iron’s, Serran doubled it with the board race.

Branksome Chine hosted another superb SLSGB National Championships for a third time. Miller looked unstoppable on a ski, Young displayed her Aussie Iron power, Drew Howells signed off his youth career in style, the younger Phillips brother Hayden showed his potential. Woolacoombe youngsters Abram-Bridges and Millie Hayes proved Britain’s future is exciting alongside Hayle’s Emilia Hogget-Crisp.

The inaugural Oceanperf Challenge UK took place during the week, a first senior competition at the age group nationals. McCloy claimed the most money of all by winning the board and Iron, Wong sprinted to the ski title, Roodhouse won the swim and Frenchwoman Annah Abravanel spoiled the party in the flags.

Meanwhile in the men’s, in familiar fashion Trebilcock won the swim and Whittaker won the iron, Phillips claimed the ski along with Pen y Bont’s Jack Evans winning the flags. New Zealander Jamie Peterson arrived on the British scene to win the board.

Following on the Youth GBR team made the trip to Poland to compete at the European championship. Miller captured the hearts of all as he stormed to victory in the ski, the Polzeath youngster doubled his winnings after claiming the mixed Taplin relay alongside Gammon, Hocking and Abram-Bridges.

Next up was the Celtic cup, Cornwall vs Devon vs Wales and the addition of Wessex. Cornwall and Wales burst into the lead right away and the points difference came down to the final race, the mixed Taplin. Lloyd Rosewell with the king of all jags on the board put Wales into the lead and won the Celtic cup for the first time in 10 years.

The final domestic competition and first complete British National Championships since 2019 at Portreath. The home club claimed the men’s board and ski relay, three- and six-man Taplin’s, men’s and mixed double ski, men’s board rescue and female tube rescue, leading the club to claim their 18 ^th overall aggregate victory in a row.

Individually Scooby completed his dream and won the men’s British ski title, destroying Dan Humble’s hopes of a tenth title. Trebilcock became the first Gyllyngvase national Ironman champion, along with winning the surf race. Whittaker completed regular duties by retaining his board title. Welshman Evans won the flags and 17-year-old Williams of Sker and Pink Bay won the sprint. New Zealander Hamish Miller claimed the 2km Beach run, through all the mayhem Whittaker gathered the most individual points and claimed £500 thanks to Mark Norton.

Meanwhile in the Women’s Ellie McCloy won back the ironwomen title and also retained the board title. Roodhouse won the surf race and Edwards made it a Gylly double storming to victory in the ski. Leigh comfortably won the 2km beach run, but Wong stole the show winning the beach sprint and flags, ultimately making her the individual overall points champion and winning £500 thanks to Mark Norton.

Over to Belgium the GBR team went for the European championships, there was points galore from the poolies and the team was left in an incredible position heading into the beach and sea competition. Nightmare’s for Hawkins and Phillips on the ski on the waves, the first title was still on the hunt as McCloy was beaten up the beach on the board. But as cool as ever Whittaker delivered, simply inevitable as he claimed the board title.

The second day came, the team was bewildered and down, but hugs and a big motivational talk from coach and legend George Haynes and Ashley Mann set the team up for one epic day. Charlie Haynes and Whittaker kicked off with a win in the board rescue, McCloy and Roodhouse finished second. Both Britain’s tube quartets finished fourth, then Trebilcock swam into a league of his own winning the surf race with Haynes behind in third. Whittaker paddled to another title in the iron and Trebilcock followed in behind finishing second. McCloy finally got her European title as she stormed to victory in the ironwomen. Possibly the biggest shock of the week the younger Haynes finished third in flags, matching Wong’s result in the women’s. The final race of all the mixed Taplin relay, Great Britain led from the first leg and no one came close, Leigh taking the lead on the run, Roodhouse on the swim, Whittaker on the board, Phillips on the ski claimed the European title.

Autumn fell, we all got cold, so some made the travel down under.

Whittaker ditched university to join BMD Northcliffe on the Gold Coast and entered the Nutri-Grain trials and competed with the professionals.

A British team travelled to Perth for the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week and Ocean Ski World Championships, race’s ranged from 300m to 27km.

Miller finished fourth in the u18 and Phillips matched it in the u23’s on the 300m Dash for Cash, while Edwards made the Senior’s top 10. Phillips had early success in the 12km race’s but Howells was the top British paddler in The Doctor, 27km from Rottnest Island to mainland Perth in 40 degrees heat and no wind. Miller put the wow factor at at the World Championships, finishing fourth in the u18.

Euan Dungavel graduated and flew to the beloved Mount Maunganui in New Zealnd, the Gylly member rounded the year off with a third at the Mount Monster, France's Marticorena finished second behind local Jayden Murphy.

A year for the history books, unforgettable memories in a packed out 2023. But 2024 is only set to get bigger, the World Championships on the Gold Coast, British Nationals returning to Fistral Newquay.

I say bring it on!

Spot prizes galore!

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 19:14:10 GMT

The race is never over!

Spot prizes will be playing a major factor in the Oceanperf Challenge UK.

Vaikobi , Greenstick , Icon Sports , Epic kayaks UK, Funky Trunks are all there to be won.

This brings total prize money value to £5500+

An incredible amount to show how much lifesavers are worth and how good the racing on Wednesday will be.

Spot prizes will be won by many ways, first u18, first over 40, best overall athlete, so many ways to win, the race is not over until you cross the line.

The prize list and how to win will be posted shortly, so stay online…

France inbound to UK Challenge

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 18:07:29 GMT

Only days away from the Oceanperf Challenge UK, the entries have come pouring in, scanning through that list, some elite level names were spotted from France.

Alan Le Gall, Nikita Nijssen-Séran, Noa Larralde and Annah Abravanel will be there on Wednesday to take on the challenge, Oceanperf UK has been talking to them to get their verdict.

Annah has proven herself to be one of the best flaggers in the world.

Finishing fourth at the World Championships last year, she’ll put on a lightning quick show at the end of the day.

“If I can put in place everything I want, the result should be good and come back to France with the money.

“I have never competed in the UK, so it’s a great opportunity and race with good athletes.”

Blink… and you’ll miss her.

Coming off the back of victories in the Ironwomen and board race at Oceanperf Challenge France, Nikita is confident she can repeat success in the UK.

When asked, can you win the money?

It was a simple reply of, “Happy to take it : )”

Nikita will be rushing off after the competition to race in Poland at the Youth European championships, there she will be looking to defend her European titles and add to her already stacked collection.

Alan has risen to stardom throughout the last year, being part of the Youth French team at the World Championships last year and finishing with an impressive third at the Red Bull Ocean Rescue, just losing out to Bob Whittaker in a sprint up the beach.

Talking to him, he has his hopes on “winning some dollar”, however only pounds are up for grabs.

With the added excitement of racing abroad for him, the youngster from France is buzzing to get on the start line.

Noa was selected for the French national team for the Oceanperf Challenge France alongside Alan.

At just 15 years of age, Noa will be looking to gain valuable experience and get amongst the atmosphere on Wednesday, she already claimed a bronze in the French edition, she’ll be up there to better in the UK.

Britain I hope your ready, the French are coming to win some money!

Father vs Son Challenge

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 08:22:57 GMT

Zerren and Jack Bell of Bude club face off in the Oceanperf challenge UK in their first opportunity to compete against each other.

This should be a close-run competition between Zerren (Father) and Jack (Son).

Zerren got involved in competitions a few years ago after spending years supporting nipper events and finally having a go in the masters.

Jack on the other hand has been doing this for 7 years from the age of 8 years old as a nipper.

This is the first year that they can compete in the same open competition and so the challenge was laid down over the dinner table.

Zerren tells the story of how this dinner went down and the families’ thoughts heading into the challenge.

“The Oceanperf event seemed the perfect 5 event series to test the skills.

I have a slightly quicker swim time and should have the edge on the ski.

Jack is a much better board paddler and if I’m close on the board that will be a win for me!

Jack should just pinch the flags between the two of us as his pop is quicker, but I hope my flat speed will catch Jack out with a possible, slightly more physical senior style of flags to work in my advantage.

This would mean that it will all come down to the iron and whether the slight advantage I have on the swim and ski will be enough to hold off the boarding skills that Jack has.

In the strong field we are both aware of our abilities and our chances against the rest of the field, but Jack is looking forward to seeing how close he is to some of the elite athletes as a 15-year-old pushing into the open category.

I am just looking to racing my son and creating some great memories that hopefully I can remind him of when he beats me in years to come.”

As for the rest of the family, Mum will be fully behind Jack.

However, Lucie the younger sister and daughter is behind dad.

Well… that is until Jack does better!

As for the prize, the loser must pay for next year’s entry.

Whether it’s so son can finally beat father or if father has the chance to prove himself to be fully fit, as older guys must always compete carrying some kind of injury.

If you’re a master let’s see you get behind Zerren, as the rest of the world will be behind the younger pretender Jack.

'The Vaikobi Surf race'

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:48:22 GMT

Vaikobi will host the 'Vaikobi Surf race' and donate over £2000 worth of kit towards the Oceanperf Challenge UK.

It’s a splash for cash at the Oceanperf Challenge for ‘The Vaikobi Surf race’.

A recent claim has been rumoured round that Thomas Trebilcock is unbeaten in a surf race domestically for the past four years!

He sang ‘God save the King’ at the World championships, winning the 4x50m obstacle relay with GBR, the Gyllyngvase clubbie has taken his talents to the pool and made himself into one of Britain’s best long-distance swimmers.

But do not count out the talent behind him, George Haynes is no stranger to a big stage and would love to take some cash home with him, similar young gun Kiran Gammon whose having impressive surf races.

Across to the girls, national standard swimmers have come through the ranks this year, Molly Roodhouse and Izzie Leigh making debuts for Great Britain lifesaving team.

Both have led the way and showed off their high performances at Branksome already this year at the GBR trials.

The youngies of the girls will have a lot to say in this race, Gylly’s Anya Hocking and Rest Bay’s duo of Eve Hickman and Abigail Davies will love to write their names into the senior’s books.

Vaikobi have donated over a whopping £2000 worth of kit towards the Oceanperf Challenge!

Some of the best training kit to keep you warm in every session, you will want to get your hands on this!

More details on how to win the Vaikobi kit will be released shortly, so stay online.

Meanwhile, the winner of ‘The Vaikobi surf race’ will take home £150, 2 ^nd £100, 3 ^rd £50, male and female.

A HUGE thankyou goes to Vaikobi and founder Patrick Langley for their generous donation.

The Oceanperf Board Race

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 23:13:00 GMT

Oceanperf UK will host "The Oceanperf board race" at the Oceanperf Challenge.

Fast and furious is the name of the game when it comes to ‘The Oceanperf board race’ at the Oceanperf Challenge.

Robert ‘Bob’ Whittaker will lay chase to the field as he has done the past couple years.

Charlie Haynes nabbed a small victory off Whittaker at the GBR trials, perhaps the only man that can stop ‘Bobby Knuckles’.

Without a doubt there will be a lot of men queuing up to grab the cash, such a tightly compact field at Branksome puts all the emphasis on the start.

The boys won’t be able to pray on any help from the ocean in this one, may the best man win the £150.

Like Whittaker, Ellie McCloy has been levels above all the women on the board domestically.

McCloy was a force to be reckoned with on the board at the GBR trials in Branksome in June.

But as always, August beats June.

France’s young superstar Nikita Nijssen’s entry is confirmed, travelling up from newly joined Biarritz, does she spoil McCloy’s dash for cash?

Whittaker and McCloy have dominated the board races in the UK for past few years, repeating success means they pocket the cash, or is there an upset on the cards?

Oceanperf UK will donate £600 towards the Oceanperf Challenge board.

We welcome you, ‘The Oceanperf board race’.

Stay online for more sponsors, prizes, and race info to come.

Evolution Flags

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:52:16 GMT

Evolution Ltd will host 'The Evolution Flags' at the Oceanperf Challenge

Ankles together > Heads down > GO

As the evening sets, closing the Oceanperf challenge will be ‘The Evolution Flags’.

Infront of the bar and DJ, party atmosphere, the athletes will take to the sand and dive for the money flag.

Evolution, ‘Build – Maintain – Refurb’, are making each turn, sprint and dive worth so much more, the winner will have to build a space £150 in their wallets.

Runner-up at the Youth World championships Evie Wong will have her shoulders out to clean up some more money, but France's golden girl beachie Annah Abravanel could spoil the Welsh party.

Abravanel finished fourth at the Senior World championships last year and knows how to win on big stages.

But in flags, anything can happen, does Millie Wiggins throw her hat in the arena for another hoorah?

Anything can happen means anyone can turn up, talks of a Chris Parry comeback has been spread throughout the country for the last 9 months, is this the time he comes out of hiding?

Keeping it Welsh, youngster Cai Williams has shown he’s the man to beat across sand in the youth and hopes to repeat success in the open.

‘Poolie turned ‘beachie’ Samuel Lawman and GBR Senior Captain will have something to say and won’t shy away from a £150 flag.

The grand finale, lets get the party started…

‘The Evolution Flags’.

A big thank you to Evolution Ltd & Carlos Roche for donating £600 towards the Oceanperf Challenge Flags.

The Vanquish Ski race

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 07:44:53 GMT

Aquasport International will host the 'The Vanquish Ski Race' at the Oceanperf Challenge

Unpredictable, fiery, tough…

A few words to describe ‘The Vanquish Ski race’ at the Oceanperf Challenge.

Evie Wong, Georgia Hawkins, Emily Corin and so many fantastic female ski paddlers, how much are they willing to risk for £150?

28-year-old Corin left out of the GBR team for youngsters Wong (19) and Hawkins (20), will surely want to prove critics wrong and come claim the £150.

The trio has taken female ski paddling in the UK to a new level, Aquasport International are helping push that limit.

Hawkins the reigning British champion, Corin 4 ^th place at the World Championships, Wong 3 ^rd place at Youth World Championships and French Rescue champion, the tension is rising.

One whistle, two footed jump starts, three buoys, before a run up the beach into finish.

No home grown British has beaten Piran Phillips on the ski in lifesaving over the past year, only ‘internationals’, such as former World Champion Dan Humble.

The Vanquish rocket Terry Miller will have his eyes set on Phillips, he will look to make his first big statement in the open age group.

Now masters but ever so hungry, George Haynes and Lewis Rosewell are always eyeing for spare cash to steal and deny clubmate Phillips the victory.

Unpredictable, fiery, tough…

A huge thank you to Aquasport International & Scott ‘Woody’ Wood for donating £600 towards the Oceanperf Challenge ski.

Ladies and gentlemen, ‘The Vanquish Ski race’.

Stay online for more sponsors, prizes, and race info to come.

The Fat Willy's Iron

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 20:58:46 GMT

Fat Willy's Surf Shack Cornwall will host the Ironman and Ironwomen at the Oceanperf Challenge

Swim board ski, ski swim board, board ski swim, whichever order draws out the hat, the winner pockets £150 thanks to Fat Willy’s Surf Shack Cornwall.

The Cornish surf-style brand “inspired by Cornish beach vibes… without breaking the bank”, are helping make your athlete bank account look a bit healthier.

Being the Ironwomen or man holds a lot of pride to the athletes for being the best all round lifesaver, winning the first ever Fat Willy’s Iron at the Oceanperf Challenge provides huge bragging rights.

Le man’s starts and pickups > Soft sand transitions > Finish through the tape > Collect the cheque.

Charlie Haynes is the only British person to win the Iron in Oceanperf Challenge France, can he repeat success in the UK?

Summer of Surf representative and British national champion Robert ‘Bob’ Whittaker has won every Iron domestically for 365 days plus, does his current reign continue or does young gun new on the block to the ironman Kiran Gammon throw a surprise?

Never count out national swimmer Thomas Trebilcock who will be hunting for cash.

In the girls Ellie McCloy has had domination since 2019, but Skye Pirie swam her down at the 2022 British nationals to win gold and book a ticket to Australia.

Will there be a French surprise? Nikita Nijssen has been rumoured to make the trip north and try to spoil the party.

A thank you goes to Fat Willys Surf Shack Cornwall for donating £600 towards the Oceanperf Challenge Iron.

Stay online for more sponsors, prizes and race info to come.

French Rescue Round-up

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 07:18:07 GMT

The Brits threw up the Wooly W’s all weekend at the French Rescue.

Plenty of medals went around to share for the UK athletes, as they went up against the best in Europe in what could prove to be a preview to the European championships later this summer.

Racing for the north Devon club Woolacoombe, all eight UK athletes brought a medal home with them, it was the first time the whistle was blown for most of the competitors this summer.

Ellie McCloy kicked off the medal rush with a silver in the surf race, which was followed up by Bob Whittaker who also won silver in the swim.

Immediately after, Kiran Gammon wins the youth boys surf race, winning in emphatic style and being the first to throw up the Woolacoombe W as he claimed the victory running up the beach.

The next medal landed on Evie Wong from Wales, dashing to a third place in the senior sprints after finally finding the right age group to race in.

As the tide hit the high tide bank, the wind chop generated a swell to mix it up for the board finals, McCloy got her second silver of the day in a stacked-out field after just the back coming off the lead wave.

The men’s board rescue was next to see gold, Whittaker swimming out and touching the can second, Piran Phillips the board paddler had to hold of Hossegor’s board champion Mael Tissier from behind.

Phillips and Whittaker rounded the can still in second behind the Biarritz pair, but the brits dialled the runners and found themselves on the leading wave alongside Biarritz, both pairs with initial poor dismounts, Phillips threw up the W as Whittaker led them across the line.

Wong got day two’s medals of to a start, claiming gold in the women’s ski, leading from start to finish in a dominant victory.

Phillips followed up, paddling to second, just getting down the wave in front of last year’s World championship silver Nordin Sparmann.

The next gold medal was done in the coolest of fashions by youngster Grace Young in the youth ironwomen.

Obliterating the European field, the Aussie half breed now back in the UK, showed Europe how to do it in choppy windy conditions, putting all three legs together perfectly and once again, the Wooly W came out to play.

In the senior irons, both Whittaker and McCloy claimed silvers, both just off the toes of first the whole way, both stars couldn’t get down the winning wave in the final leg of the swim.

The final races of the weekend for the UK team were the men and women taplin's in which both claimed silver.

Laura McCloy and Mathew Rowlands collected their medals in the relay, to make sure no one went home empty handed.

It was a brilliant first race and a true test of early season fitness heading into this weekend GB trials at Branksome Chine.

French rescue build-up

Thu, 25 May 2023 23:42:06 GMT

Top British Lifesavers ship out to spoil French Rescue party.

This weekend in Dinard France, all the best lifesavers from around Europe will be competing at the French Rescue.

Athletes will be testing out how much early work they have put in this winter in the first international lifesaving competition of the year.

Lifesavers from France, UK, Germany and many more countries will be there to test out the pool, ocean, and beach.

Competition will start on Friday 26 ^th May in the pool, followed by another pool day on Saturday.

Come Sunday and Monday the competitors will move to the ocean and beach events, where the British athletes hope to spoil themselves.

Ellie McCloy, Bob Whittaker, Piran Phillips, Evie Wong, Kiran Gammon, Mat Rowlands and Grace Young will all be competing as team United Kingdom.

The Brits won’t be found on poolside, as they will only be competing in the beach and ocean events.

A hot and sunny forecast with no swell, the event is set to be a pre-cursor for Europeans later this year in Belgium.

Each athlete will be asking questions and look to put things right from the first whistle.

McCloy was the top European ironwomen at last years World championships and won the Red Bull Ocean Rescue in February, can she still reign supreme?

Whittaker proved to mix it in with the nutri-grain boys at the Worlds and Summer of Surf, but with Frenchman Santo Etcheverry coming hot of a winter in Aus, who’s going to be the ironman?

Phillips showed he is one of the best on the ski right now in Italy last year, but still yet to win an international medal, can he beat World championship runner up Nordin Sparmann from Germany in the ski?

Wong was brilliant at the Worlds last year, winning medals on the ski and on the beach at youth, but she now goes up into the open category, does she have what it takes to step up?

Gammon brought home silverware at last years worlds in the youth and remains a youth for another year, a natural born swimmer, a first winter of ski paddling, can the young Gammon shoutout his name to the rest of Europe?

Rowlands showed he can still do it on a ski at the master’s world championships and caps for Wales, the Welshman loves to spoil a party and will be gunning to be the first Brit.

Young is fresh over from Australia, living and training at the City of Perth, the British turned Aussie youngster made finals at this years Aussies in u19, can she write a name for herself in the colder water from the get go?

With a week to go until the Great Britain trials for selection to go Europeans, these athletes will be getting valuable competition time early on, and could in good condition leading into a busy race season.

Round two round up

Thu, 25 May 2023 22:47:47 GMT

Epic Bay - Great Britain Ocean ski series

The tide turns in the Great Britain ocean ski series as Ryan ‘Scooby’ Lark and Rosie Edwards win the second round at Epic Bay.

In sunny south Devon, 80 paddlers battled the Deadly 60 heat of Exmouth in the Epic Bay race just shy of 15km.

Carnage of the start as a small shore dump was enough to send boats airborne and back on the beach.

Piran Phillips, the winner of round one, was able to get the best get away and lead to the first turn marker.

Scooby clung onto Phillips wash until the downwind marker, where Lark asserted his dominance.

Racing in his home county of Devon, Scooby worked the runners to perfection and win by an impressive two minutes.

Phillips paddled his way to a second place, just ahead of Uncle Toby’s Ironman Jonathon Crowe.

Meanwhile in the women’s race, it was a three way race between round one winner Ellie McCloy, Rosie Edwards and master Jane Swarbreck.

Edwards and McCloy could only be split by a second in Rhoose, down in Exmouth, Edwards was now only split by a second again.

Swarbreck pushing the young gun to the line, the youngling beat the master by a narrow second.

McCloy coming in a minute later to finish in third place.

A quick race in terms of ocean ski, winner Lark finishing in 1hour 2minutes, in the first heatwave of the year it tested Britain’s top paddlers as they stumbled across the line up the beach.

The ocean ski series is staying on the south coast for round 3, but it’s a long way up the coast to Sussex.

The Sussex Classic taking place near Brighton will be a weekend event, on the 10 ^th and 11 ^th June.

GB Ocean Racing round one

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:11:50 GMT

Ellie McCloy and Piran Phillips win the first round of the Great Britain Ocean racing series.

Rhoose, Wales hosted the first race of the year, a three-lap race that finished just shy of 18km.

Phillips was victorious in the men’s ocean ski, a time of 1.22.02 hours, 23 seconds ahead of second place Lewis Kirton. Youngster Drew Howells coming in third just ahead of previous Uncle Toby’s ironman Jonathan Crowe.

Portreath man Phillips with a winter at Southampton Canoe club took the lead at the start, but Kirton took command of the race at the 4km at the end of the first lap.

Kirton maintained a 15m lead over Phillips until late into the final lap of the race.

The final return leg Kirton sprinted to shallow waters for a direct line to the finish, but Phillips stayed wide and used the speed of the River Severn to close the gap and pass fellow Cornishman Kirton to claim his first senior victory in ocean racing.

McCloy and Rosie Edwards could only be separated by a second after 1.33.42 hours.

The pair were attached at the hip throughout, wisely using the washes of the men ahead and dusting off some of the men behind.

Heading into the final turn boy, Edwards was sat on McCloy’s side wash.

But McCloy had saved enough Welsh power in the tank to still sprint into the finish line for a spectacular win.

McCloy has had an incredible start to the season, winning at the Red Bull Ocean Rescue in February.

A win in an ironwomen and ski event so far proves she’ll be hard to beat in any race this season.

Amy Daysh finished in third place for the women after a season down under in Australia.

Next the GB Ocean Racing series is heading to Exmouth, Devon on Saturday 13 ^th May for the Epic Bay .

The "Oceanperfcast"

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:44:42 GMT

Lifesaving's newest podcast The "Oceanperfcast"

14 episodes and counting, the “Oceanperfcast” gives a platform for lifesavers to give their views on the biggest news, competitions and how they live their clubbie life.

The “Oceanperfcast” is Oceanperf’s new way of spreading the love of lifesaving and giving you the media content that’s wanted.

Hosted by Piran Phillips, the first episode now dates to Halloween 2022 featuring Great Britain ocean coach and a previous European Ironman champion George Haynes.

Stars from around the world have phoned in to have their say, World Ironman champion Cory Taylor, World Youth Ironwoman champion Lily O’Sullivan making appearances.

Featuring the much talked about super clubbie quiz, guest stars have been put under the pressure of time to see how well their lifesaving knowledge is.

Haynes had a quiz that he’d like to forget forever, on the other hand Thomas Trebilcock had a performance to boast about on water’s edge and poolside.

Hot topics always being covered in every episode, episode eight host Phillips joined by Robert “Bobby Knuckles” Whitaker to pick their podiums for the SLSGB Ocean Champs happening in September in Portreath.

Last years GBR Captain Samuel Lawman and Phillips discussed who they think will be making the GBR team for Europeans later this year in episode 10.

It’s all fun and games when the microphone is recording, but it gives a new dimension to British lifesaving.

Check out the “Oceanperfcast” on Spotify , Amazon , Apple plus so much more sites.

Oceanperf Challenge 2023 Announcement.

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 12:24:11 GMT

Oceanperf Challenge UK, Wednesday 16th August, Branksome Chine

Lifesavers will get the chance to race off at the famous shore break of Hossegor on the 5 ^th and 6 ^th of August, then follow it up in front of the crowds at Branksome Chine on the 16 ^{th of} August.

The Oceanperf Challenge is expanding to the UK, happening at Branksome Chine on Wednesday 16 ^th August, this will be the first time the competition has happened in the UK.

The French edition attracting 400 plus athletes from all over Europe such as Robert Whitaker, Ellie McCloy, and Santo Etcheverry.

2022 Oceanperf Challenge in France, Etcheverry from Biarritz won the ocean-man ahead of Whitaker, in a spectacular finish that had Whitaker from Woolacombe diving off his board in the shore dump.

Nikita Nijssen-Seran from Hossegor at the age of 16 was victorious in the ocean-woman.

Expect world class athletes like Gyllyngvase’s Thomas Trebilcock in the swim and Piran Phillips of Portreath in the ski to be there going for the maiden challenge titles.

McCloy spoke on the Oceanperf podcast about racing lifesaver’s from around the world: “Racing people you don’t know, it’s pretty scary… but I just love it and it’s an awesome experience.”

This summer, lifesavers will be able to compete in the iron, swim, board, ski, and flags at the British edition.

The format for the day of racing at Branksome, will be heats during the morning, then finals for each race in late afternoon, the flags being the final event in front of the bar and DJ decks.

Ages of people turning 15 this year and older will be eligible to race, in one open format.

The first ever edition of the Oceanperf Challenge took place in 2010 at Hossegor.

Since then, famous faces like Australians Naomi Flood and James Lacy have been victorious at the challenge, but the iron has been dominated by “The French professor” Jonathan Despergers.

Despergers from Biarritz has won the iron at the challenge seven times, the now 36-year-old will still be a hot favourite for victory.

Portreath’s Charlie Haynes is Britain’s only ever champion in the iron event at the Challenge.

The Brits now have a home race, can the luck of the sea favour towards the hosts?