Top UK Surfers fly in for The Saltrock Open

The cream of British surfing talent is set to come together in a battle royale of the surf world at The Saltrock Open this Easter weekend.

Household names are all signed up and ready for what's set to be a fierce battle to take the first title of the year, and set themselves up in pole position for the rest of the tour.

Added to this, the long Easter weekend of 22nd / 23rd / 24th March falls unusually early this year, giving the best chance of some good swell. The last time Easter was this early, Llewellyn Whittaker stunned the crowds with an epic 10 point tube ride and the swell was the best on the tour.

Russell Winter is sure to draw crowds. Regarded by many as the best British surfer of modern times, Russell has held the English, British and European championship titles during his long and successful surfing career. He famously once beat Kelly Slater in a 1st round heat at Sunset Beach in Hawaii, and remains the only British surfer to ever break into the elite WCT. His fantastic career only stalled due to a serious ankle injury suffered at Teahupoo, and he is now back fighting fit and determined to regain his place on the WCT.

Strong competition will no doubt come from Alan Stokes, winner of the final event of the 2007 Tour and the 2004 Tour Champion. Alan is a popular face on the tour and always gives a great performance, and with current Champion Sam Lamiroy and former title holders Mark Harris and Reubin Pearce all in the form of their life, the fight for the crown will be real clash of the titans this year.

The Women's Open is set to be a similarly intense battle, with Irish surfer Nicole Morgan returning from a year in Australia to make her mark back in colder waters. She will be taking on the likes of Easkey Britton, last year's winner Karma Worthington and current British Champion Beth Mason.

The event will kick off early on Saturday 22nd March at Downend Point in Croyde, and the party will be at The Manor from 7.30pm.

Source: BPSA UK Tour

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