Cilling with the girls in Sri Lanka

The UK Pro Surf Tour returned to Sri Lanka in July this year for the “Sri Lanka Champion of Champions Surf Contest” at Arugam Bay. All of the best surfers on the UK Pro Surf Tour get invited to compete on a right hand point break and this year the girls get to go!!!

It wasn’t until the week before that anyone knew the competition was on, so it was all last minute. I was really excited and couldn’t believe that I would be going on a trip with rippers like Alan Stokes, Oli Adams, Matt Capel and Reubyn Ash. After the gruelling plane, bus journey and an overnight stay we arrived to warm water and pumping surf. However you do get to see some wildlife through the nature reserve.

We had a few days to surf and get used to the waves. I must thank my room mate Nicole Morgan for giving me a kick in the morning for those dawny seasons. It was so cool free surfing with everyone standouts for me were Stuart Campbell and Toby Donachie – ones to watch in the future.

I also did a day trip with Johnny Fryer, Alan Stokes, Nicole Morgan, Sarah Bentley, and Celine Gehret. It was great to see a bit of Sri Lanka and ended up in a remote little village. We rocked up at this spot, all the local villagers came to say hello and we surfed a spot empty line up that reminded me of Morocco!! Epic day surfing watched Alan pull into a mantle barrel and make it and Johnny smacking it on his back hand.

The comp didn’t go so well for me, I ended up joint 3rd with Raine Jackson. It was great to see two Welsh girls in the final Beth claiming The title despite Gwen’s efforts. The highest scoring wave of the day was from Alan Stokes, which got a 9.50 point wave in the semi’s and then lead him into the man on man final against Reubin Pearce.  Alan went onto to win this year’s Open! I can’t wait to go on the next one.

Have a look at free surfing shots on my blog… www.jodennison.com/

About Joanne Dennison