SSF Junior Series 2021 Event #4 – Fraserburgh

So stop #4 on the Scottish Surfing Federation Junior Series at Fraserburgh beach hosted by the Broch Surf club this weekend is now successfully complete.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FAT MAN SKINNY CAMERA & BROCH PHOTO HOUSE

Saturday 8am saw the arrival of all competitors from all over Scotland congregate on the beachfront for the official competition call but as expected from surf forecasting the waves were just a little too small and considered non-contestable. With forecast showing building swell throughout the day the Broch Surf Club decided to make the brave call and delay the start of the event until the arrival of swell. The event on hold allowed all the young competitors to mix with the surfers and now friends they had met on the previous event tour stops. So an afternoon was had on the prom trading surf skate moves and the kids generally having a good time. The parents meanwhile remained well fed, warm and dry in the heated gazebo erected on the promenade for the event by the surf club. With a building east swell albeit squally onshore conditions the surf event was postponed until the Sunday with more favorable conditions forecast.

It was a brave call but one that we hoped paid off. The Broch Surf Club hosted a social event on the Saturday night for all the traveling competitors and family’s. A lot of fun and laughs were had playing bingo and other party type games with some sought after Broch Surf Club merchandise up for grabs for the game winners.

Sunday morning 7:30 check in for the event we were greeted with perfect 2-3ft offshore conditions and glorious weather for the junior surf event. With the postponement of the event on the Saturday meant we had only 1 day to run what was planned a 2 day event. A reschedule of the heat running order and a format where we utilized 2 contestable peaks simultaneously meant we could pull in the overall competition running time and complete the event within the single day.

With a busy schedule ahead 1st heats were in the water sharp on 8am. Throughout the day the young competitors battled their way through the rounds of the events surfing categories in the following age & gender groups

Under 12

Under 14

Under 16 boys

Under 16 girls

Under 18 boys

Under 18 girls

From early on and throughout the day the standard of surfing on show was incredible from the youngsters, some competing in their 1st event and some more experienced regulars competing in previous series events. The beach front was packed, lots of spectators throughout the day and a general feel good vibe at on the beach. Hot foods and sandwiches provided by the captains table kept everyone fed and a small fire pit on the beach front allowed the competitors to keep warm and refuel with toasted marshmallows was a great addition and added to the fun. It was also great to see the sportsmanship between all the competitors in their wins or losses.

A few standouts moments from the events surfing performances should be acknowledged,

– Israel Nobles fins free snap (8pt ride) in the under 16 Boys QF 2

– Craig Mclachlans 3 x critical turns in the U16 Boys QF 1

– Lola Mitchell’s 3 turn combo on her backhand (9pt ride) in the U16 Girls SF 1

– Callie Cruickshank’s backhand snap in the U16 Girls SF 2

– Ansell Parkin’s tactical wave selection in the U14 SF 2

– Lewis Morgan’s tactical wave selection in the U12 final

– U14 final best heat with only 1.5 pts separating 1st, 2nd & 3rd placings.

The dropping tide and the strong offshore wind made for some tricky conditions in the closing semi final and final events. With the event run on the single day it was evident that fatigue was playing a part on some of the competitors particularly the younger age groups who had to compete in as much as 7 competitive heats throughout the day, this is definitely something that the club will take away from this event. So the competitive surfing was wrapped up at around 17:00 and the prize giving concluded the event in the club Gazbo on the promenade.

1st up, Asher Noble the youngest competitor on the day (at age 7) presented the Broch Surf Club “The Local Legend” award to our eldest surf club member Gordon Wheeler in recognition to the foundations he built within the Broch Surf Club and his general contributions to the Scottish Surfing Federation. It was great to see Gordon in attendance. Next up was the award of participation medals for all of the competitors. Without all the entries of the competitors, this series would not be the success it has been and this was the Broch Surf Clubs way of thanking all of the local and traveling competitors. Well done to everyone.

Next up was the podium placings and prizegiving for the category 1st – 4th place winners where the deserved winners were rewarded with a fine range of surf related goodies, trophies, medals and Brochs finest biccochi’s sweety baggies, all provided courtesy of our event sponsor “The Oor Bairns” charitable organization. *final podium placings are detailed below .Final handout of some epic contest event stickers designed by local Artist Katie Watson concluded the prizegiving. Such a fantastic event only made possible by the efforts of all that travelled, participated, supported and volunteered on the lead up to, during and after the event.

Broch Surf Club would like to express further gratitude and recognition to the following individuals / groups whom all added significant contributions to the success of the event:“The Oor Bairns” charity – prizes, medals, trophies“The Captains Table” – food / catering“Gordon Wheeler” – prize giving aka Legend “Broch Surf Club Mums” – home bakes / support“Judges / officials” – comp support“Paul Birnie Electrical” – space heaters and fuel gas“Bicochi’s” – sweety baggies“Scottish Surfing Federation” – series platform“Aberdeenshire Council” – facility / beach use supportWell done to everyone involved, congratulations to all the winners and hope you all enjoyed your time and the event in Fraserburgh.From all at Broch Surf Club, thank you and we hope to see you all in the surf again very soon

SSF JUNIOR SERIES EVENT #4 FRASERBURGH OFFICIAL RESULTS

UNDER 18 GIRLS

1 Nadia Murray NSSC

2 Natalie Kobedza MFSR

3 Tamzin Rosie NSSC

4 Annie Herd EBSC

UNDER 18 BOYS

1 Craig Mclachlan NSSC

2 Finn Clark EBSC

3 Ebon Parkin BHSC

UNDER 16 GIRLS

1 Lola Mitchel BSC

2 Nadia Murray NSSC

3 Natalie Kobedza MFSR

4 Callie Cruickshank BSC

UNDER 16 BOYS

1 Craig Mclachlan NSSC

2 Ebon Parkin BHSC

3 Finn Clark EBSC

4 Israel Noble BSC

UNDER 14S

1 Israel Noble BSC

2 Ben Kobedza MFSR

3 Lola Mitchel BSC

4 Ansel Parkin BHSC

UNDER 12S

1 Lewis Morgan BSC

2 Evan Whyte BSC

3 Gabriel Noble BSC

4 Riley Whyte BSC

TOP 3 RESULTS COUNT TOWARDS OVERALL POINTS TOTAL