Portrush hosts British Championship AND Home International at White Rocks

The White Rocks waves will be home to over 100 competitors this week as they compete in the Surf Kayaking Home Internationals and later in the week, in the British Championship. The Northern Ireland Surf Kayak Club is the host for these two top class competitions. The sport is becoming increasingly popular in Northern Ireland and it is hoped that this week’s event will further promote surf kayaking as a fun and thrilling activity to be enjoyed on one of our many nearby beaches. The Home Internationals are an integral part of the World Championship cycle and will host teams from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This is the first time the event has been held in Northern Ireland and it has already attracted the highest standard of competitors with over 15 current and past world champions expected to attend. Organiser Ashley Hunter told the Times: “The competition is the same as a surf competition where competitors make use of the waves to perform various moves on a certain section of the wave in 20 minute heats. “They try to execute their best moves and are judged on three waves. “The Home Internationals are a team event with every member of the teams surfing against other members of the other teams. All the scores are collated and that determines who wins the overall titles. “There will be no official closing of the Home International competition as all the surfers will then stay to compete in the British Championship as individuals.” The Home International competition began earlier today (Tuesday) and will continue until Friday 29th October, followed by the British Championships on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October. The Northern Ireland team is currently ranked third in the world and boasts a number of title holders among its ranks. Portrush’s own Andy McClelland is currently the second ranked junior surf kayaker in the world. The local crowds will be looking forward to seeing this home-grown talent in action as the Dominican College student has raced up through the rankings. Bushmills man Johnny Bingham, himself a former world champion, is also currently third in the world. “We have a really good pedigree in our squad,” said Ashley. “We expect them all on the podium at some point this week. After these events the Northern Ireland squad will begin preparing for the World Championships in North Carolina in 2011. “The squad are supported by Sport NI’s Athlete Support Programme. We are also grateful for the support we have received from Coleraine Borough Council since we announced that we wanted to host the event in Portrush. “There will be more than 100 competitors plus supporters coming to the area and we would invite any local members of the public to come along and see surf kayaking for themselves,” said Ashley. The competitions will take place at the White Rocks from around 9am - 5pm (daylight hours) until Saturday with a final prize giving on Sunday at 5pm at the Water Sports Centre at the East Strand in Portrush. Christine McKee, Events Officer at Coleraine Borough Council is delighted to welcome such a thrilling event to the North Coast, she said: “Water sports enthusiasts will agree that the East Strand and White Rocks are the best on the North Coast for surf kayaking. “Not only does the area provide glorious conditions, it also provides a spectacular backdrop for both surfers and visitors to enjoy. Surf kayaking is a great spectator sport and an ideal way to experience something new over the half-term break. “We have enormous potential on the North Coast to host such championships, and I am confident we can continue to attract such high profile sporting events.”