Welsh Coast Surf Club A team (Porthcawl) won this year's Wilkinson Sword Welsh Interclub title at Llantwit Major. The full day event saw team's from Pembrokeshire, Langland, Porthcawl and Llantwit Major assemble to battle it out for the coverted Wilkinson Sword trophy. Surf conditions at Llantwit were excellent with clean 3ft+ waves on offer from dawn til dusk with the first heat hitting the water at 9am and the last heat fought out as the sun set over North Devon.
Open competitors were up first with Llantwit's famous point break showing excellent form on the ebbing tide. Seven heats later, after some excellent surfing by all it was clear that all teams meant business with Porthcawl A leading the points and Pembrokeshire PSR in a close 2nd place. LBR A were 3rd and defending champions, Llantwit Major's very own Channel Coast A were 4th, local knowledge not an advantage it seemed.
The young guns followed next, sent in on Llantwit's low tide sandy beach break to avoid the relentless tidal current which focuses on the Point. The kids showed their stuff with their usual enthusiasm both girls and boys alike. Big scores dropped for some stylish turns and hacks; the judges, positioned right on the sand, were lapping it up.
As the tide pushed up the boulder point Seniors and Masters were up next. The tidal current at full flood distinguished a few competitor's hopes of maximum points for their team although overall the heats were well surfed and hard fought. It was clear by this stage that Welsh Coast A were in pole position with Channel Coast A staging a fight back of sorts in a hope to retain the title. As the under 16 and under 18 went in, again both girls and boys showcasing excellent surfing, the points totals were conclusive enough. Channel Coast A were going to have to win the remaining longboard heats to retain the title while at the same time Welsh Coast come dead last in both. Very unlikely and true enough Welsh Coast stormed to victory as the sun set and took a well deserved title.
All that was left was to thank Llantwit Major lifeguards for the use of their facilities for the day and for Channel Coast's team captain and contest director Mark Vaughan to reluctantly hand over the Wilkinson Sword trophy to Welsh Coast's team captain Tom Anderson.
Thanks also to WSF's Stu Bentley for his beach marshall skills and all the judges who made the event possible.
