Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

It's set to be a busy year for surfing on Cornwall's beaches. Just days in January 2009 and it's been announced that three beaches will stage dates on the major UKPSA pro surf tour.

It seems apt that the tournament is spending so much time in Cornwall, as the county has produced many high profile surfers since the national event started.

The current men's title holder is South African Reubin Pearce, who is based in Cornwall as is the 2007 winner Sam Lamiroy, who was born in Newcastle.

Alan Stokes in action

Alan Stokes, from Newquay, is the lastΜύlocal surfer to capture the overall men's crown five years ago, while fellow Cornishmen Mark Harris and Lee Bartlett have also held the top spot at season end.

Cornwall has fared much better in the Pro Junior division with the last eight champions coming from the county. The current title holder is Tom Butler who took over from St Ives' England international Jayce Robinson as tour ace.

It's been a similar story in the Pro longboard series. World Games silver medallist Ben Skinner has won the title three times since the first events were held in 2002.

Newquay's Chris Thompson and Lee Ryan along with Sennen's Sam Bleakley have also bagged top spot.

This year's nine event series gets underway with the Saltrock Open in Croyde, in North Devon,Μύon 10 April 2009 ending with the Animal Newquay Open, at Fistral Beach, on 14 November.

Ben Skinner

Watergate Bay will host the White Stuff Surf Relief contest on 17 and 18 July. The annual Fat Face Night Surf at Lusty Glaze Beach, in Newquay, has been earmarked for 12 and 13 June but has yet to be confirmed by the organisers.

There is also a one star contest scheduled for St Ives with the Gul Open being staged at Porthmeor Beach, on 5 and 6 September.

Events are also being staged at Porthcawl, in Wales; Tynemouth, in Newcastle; Thurso, in Scotland; and Portrush, in Northern Ireland.

The Pro Women's tour will run side by side to the men's championship.

Surfers can also compete in U-12 Grommet, U-16 Boys and U-16 Girl's sections.