Hot Tuna 'Summer Of 69' BPSA Tour Event Complete

The Hot Tuna ‘Summer of 69’ BPSA UK Tour Event took place this weekend at the scenic Porthmeor Beach in St Ives. More than 120 surfers over 5 divisions came to take part in this, the 4 th leg of the tour, in fun 3-4 ft surf over the bank holiday weekend.

Saturday saw the all the groms take to the water starting with the U’12’s where Harry Timson was the clear standout in his division. Lewis Clinton and Toby Donachie were ripping in the U’16’s while Gwen Spurlock showed why she was one of the UK’s future stars in the girls U’16’s event. After the groms first 2 rounds it was time to get down to business in the men’s event. Bron Heussenstamm, the new Hot Tuna Team Rider flew in from the US to compete before heading to Portugal to start a QS campaign, was in round one and blew away all competition in his first two heats showing his WQS credibility with a series of quick backhand vertical turns. Elsewhere, unsponsored Eugene Tollemache was also surfing really well and also won his opening heats as well as holding the Freerange Sports Optics Most Powerful Move until the end of the day. In the women’s event Nicole Morgan and Robyn Davies were looking good and the title would surely be going home with one of the two!

After two rounds of the Men’s and Women’s Open it was final time for the groms. In the Under 12’s Luke Dillon just snatched victory over the on form Harry Timson while Stuart Campbell just had the edge over Alex Baker in the U’16’s. Congratulations to those guys, they were both great finals contested in big fat high tide waves often ending up in a dumping shorebreak!

Sunday greeted the remaining competitors with slightly smaller but cleaner conditions with the Men’s third round first in the water. Hot Tuna Euro Rider Toby Atkins cruised through his first heat after a 7.8 on his first wave leaving the others in his heat to play catch up. However he was not so fortunate in his second heat where he went out to a wave caught on the hooter! Standouts of the day included Bron again, who won his next two heats, as well as Sam Lamiroy and Matty Capel, who was relishing the slightly smaller conditions. When it came down to finals time however it was between Lamiroy, Capel, Lu Whittaker and Micah Lester. All the guys surfed well but once again it came down to an early wave, this time for Sam Lamiroy, who scored an 8.8 on his first wave, never really giving the others a chance. Lamiroy took the win and the £1500 first prize followed by Micah, Lu and Matt Capel. Lu also ended up with the FSO Powerful move with a huge forehand gouge!

Previous to the men’s final were the Women’s open and the U’16 girls event! Nicole Morgan claimed the Open while Holly Donnelly claimed the U’16’s. Well done girls!

A massive thanks must go to Hot Tuna for supporting the BPSA as well as tour sponsors Foster’s, Freerange and Relentless Energy Drink. Welcome Back Hot Tuna!