Animal’s Alan Stokes currently leads the UK Pro Surf Tour and will be looking to extend his lead this weekend at the Surf Relief Contest, Watergate Bay. Stokes will be up against an in form Reubyn Ash (featured in this months mag), who’s been scoring some big aerials of late. For more from Mr Stokes, click ANIMAL PODCAST

Check out the press release…

The third event on the UK Pro Surf Tour will be the Surf Relief Contest to be held at Watergate Bay, Newquay. An event which has grown from strength to strength over the past five years and is now included as the third leg of the UK Pro Surf Tour.

The current leader of the UK Pro Surf Tour, Alan Stokes will be hoping to consolidate his position at the head of the pack, however with the amount of talented surfers in the draw it will be extremely difficult. An inform, Reubyn Ash from Bude will be hoping to improve his rankings, Reubyn has been pushing boundaries of contemporary surfing all year including pulling off a Rodeo Cowboy manoeuvre recently at Arugam Bay.

In the women’s event, Beth Mason and Gwen Spurlock from Swansea will be the two to watch, however 17 year old Zoe Sheath and 15 year old Tass Swallow are amoungst other talented girls who could take the title.

On the Grommets tour the title is wide open with good performances coming from many of the surfers. Possibly one’s to watch are Beau Bromham from Croyde in the Under 16 Boys, Lucy Campbell from Wooolacombe in the Under 16 Girls and Harry DeRoth from St Ives in the Under 12 Open.

Dave Reed, contest director for the surf contest and tour commented: “It is fantastic that the tour will be part the Surf Relief event again, many of the surfers will be pleased to compete at this event to not only improve their ratings on the UK Pro Surf Tour, but also support Surf Relief in their efforts to help disabled and disadvantaged children” adding “we are also please to be able to contribute all the entry fees from the event to the charity”.

Dave Manley, Chairman of Surf Relief commented: “Surfing is at the core of what Surf Relief is all about and having one of the of the UK Pro Tour competitions at our annual fund raising event adds further creditability to the charity. The quality of surfing has always been high at our events with pro surfers supporting the charity from its inception 5 years ago; however with prize money and points for the tour champion at stake, this year the standard of surfing in all categories will be greater still.

On the Saturday of the event disabled and disadvantaged children and young people will be receiving lessons alongside the best surfers in the country who will be competing in the same waves – showing that surfing is really a sport for all. With lots of beach events and live music on the beach I’m sure the Surf Relief Festival 2009 will be one of the highlights on the 2009 UK Pro Tour”.

In addition to all the prizes given Relentless Energy Drink will be awarding £250 to the surfer who performs the most progressive manoeuvre in the event, which could come from the Open, Women’s or Grommet divisions. King of the Wave Award will be going to the highest scoring waves for both men and women, donated by kingofwatersports.com

Also taking place during the weekend will be: Live music, a surf lifesaving tournament, games and activities to make the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival a great day out.