The Dave Gray Memorial Surfing Competition took place at Compton Bay in highly contestable 2-3ft clean surf last weekend.
The contest marks 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 2 minutes of silence at 11:00 with passersby joining the surfers to pay their respects.
The sun was shining all day with temperatures climbing to the high teens, it felt more late summer than mid-November. This year’s event was well attended; divisions included the Open, Womens, Junior Under 18 and Junior Under 14 all drawing talented local surfers to the line-up.
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 is the definition of enthusiasm in and out of the water and a well-deserved winner of the U14 category. Hot on his heels in 2nd 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 3rd and rounding out the final was Lilah Ranson (8).
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) has something every surfer wants and that’s style which he used it to good effect placing 2nd. 3rd 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.
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 2nd. Frida Hornsby (15) the only junior to make the Women’s final, surfed well to take 3rd place with Sarah Archer 4th overall.
The day finished with the prize giving and a skate for the all the competitors at Canopy Skatepark.
