Former English champion Alan Stokes has added the coveted British title to his trophy cabinet. The Cornishman went from strength to strength after beating defending champion Sam Lamiroy in the quarter-finals at Tyneside. In a thrilling final, Stokes outpointed Johnny Fryer, John Buchorski and Micah Lester, to take the Open crown. It's been a good season so far for the Animal/Salomon team rider who currently leads the British Professional Surf Association tour going into the next leg at Cayton Bay at the end of October. Helston's Robyn Sunshine Davies put on the performance of the tournament to clinch her fourth women's British crown.  | | Plymouth's John Copley came third in the veterans event |
The O'Neill team rider was pushed hard all the way by long-time rival Tracey Boxhall, English number one Kay Holt and British junior title holder Beth Mason, from Swansea. Geordie Gabe Davies used all his local knowledge to clinch the senior honours despite lining up against Sri Lankan BPSA winner Spencer Hargraves in the final. Davies relished the autumn conditions to see off runner-up Greg Owen, Johnny Carden and fourth-placed Hargraves. Jersey surfer John Carden has won the amateur Open Over 35's division. Lucy McIntyre, who's also from Jersey, reached the semi-final of the women's event. Saltburn's Gary Rogers was pushed hard all the way by Jed Stone, English Surfing Federation chairman John Copley, from Plymouth, and Gary Collins to win the veterans title. Contest organiser Paul Wilkinson, of O'Neill, said "We have been astounded at the response the event has had in the North East.
Bringing such a big national event up here was a risk we ventured, and thanks to the public, North Tyneside Council and the British Surfing Association preliminary discussions are underway to make Tynemouth the home of the event annually." Final results: Open: 1. Alan Stokes 2. Johnny Fryer 3. John Buchorski 4. Micah Lester Womens: 1. Robyn Davies 2. Tracey Bixall 3. Kay Holt 4. Beth Mason Senior: 1. Gabe Davies 2. Greg Owen 3. Johnny Carden 4. Spencer Hargreaves Masters: 1. John Carden 2. Jed Stone 3. Simon Blower 4. Gary Rogers Veterans: 1. Gary Rogers 2. Jed Stone 3. John Copley 4. Gary Collins
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