O’Neill offer their sincere apologies once again, as this weekend’s O’Neill British National Surfing Championships, has been postponed until 18th & 19th November 2006 due to an expected lack of waves.

Keeley Wilkie-Smith, O’Neill PR and Marketing Manager said: “It is with great regret that we have to postpone this event once again. We have consulted with weather experts in the UK and abroad and although there are some winds heading towards us, we could not be guaranteed consistent waves.

“Rather than allow the 150 competitors to travel here and be disappointed, we have decided to postpone the event once again. One good point that has come out of the postponement is that former British Champion and local surfer Sam Lamiroy, returning from his honeymoon next week, will now be able to compete in the event on the new dates.”

The Surf Bug VW festival scheduled to take place in Tynemouth at the same time has also been postponed. The Surf Bug will take place during the contest however it will now be a ‘display’ of vintage vehicles and not a camping event, due to the colder weather and darker evenings setting in.

Stella Hall, Creative Director at Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said: “It is terribly disappointing that the event has had to be postponed again but it is unfortunately a situation that is completely out of everyone’s control. We’re delighted that the championships have been re-scheduled for November 18th and 19th and we’re sure that the public will enjoy all of the action at Tynemouth’s Longsands Beach when the event does go ahead. We’re very much hoping it will be third time lucky!”