St. Ouen’s Bay, Jersey – Watersplash Beach | October 2024

After the original date was postponed, the 2024 GB Surfing GB Cup took place last weekend at the iconic Watersplash in St. Ouen’s Bay, Jersey. Following a successful debut in Newquay in 2023, GB Surfing returned with the Channel Islands Surfing Federation as partner, bringing in new developments that built on last year’s success and setting the stage for even higher levels of performance.

Event Highlights and New Additions

This year’s GB Cup featured the addition of a repechage round, similar to formats used in EuroSurf and ISA events, giving surfers a second chance to progress and extending the competition to three days with a total of 68 heats. This adjustment aimed to offer GB athletes more in-depth competitive experience, simulating the structure of international events. The goal was to better prepare athletes for the physical demands of global competition and to help bridge the performance gap between GB and international events.

The competition once again included the Replay system for judging, as used in ISA and WSL events, allowing judges to make more precise calls. Additionally, international judges were part of the panel, raising judging standards and providing an invaluable upskilling opportunity for UK judges.

Competition Summary

The competition kicked off with the Open division on Friday in great conditions with waves between 4-6 feet. By Sunday, conditions had calmed, creating an ideal setting for the junior divisions.

Across both Men’s and Women’s divisions, the overall level of surfing was noticeably higher than in 2023. The Men’s Open final saw an impressive increase in scoring: the 2023 average score was 12.01, while this year’s final average was 14.59. In a closely contested Men’s final, Lukas Skinner emerged as the 2024 champion, narrowly defeating Patrick Langdon-Dark, Stanley Norman, and local surfer, Max Bennett. All finalists were within just 1.5 points of each other, demonstrating fierce competition, but Lukas was ultimately crowned British Champion for the first time.

Similarly, the Women’s division saw a significant rise in standards. Last year’s final average score of 8.20 rose to 11.01 this year. Lauren Sandland successfully defended her 2023 title, becoming a two-time British Champion by beating competitors Charlotte Mulley, Alys Barton, and Ellie Turner.

Junior Standouts

In the junior categories, both Lukas Skinner and Lauren Sandland completed the double, adding the U18 Boys and U18 Girls titles, respectively, to their Open wins. Other standout performances came from Arthur Randell, who scored a 13.63 in the Boys final, and 14-year-old Lila Skinner, who not only placed second in the Girls final but also reached the Women’s Open semi-finals.

Event Reach and Broadcast

The 2024 GB Cup received substantial online attention, with Slingshot Media’s live stream drawing over 10,000 viewers throughout the event—a 4,000-viewer increase from 2023. This surge in engagement highlights the growing interest and support for British surfing.

Conclusion

The 2024 GB Surfing GB Cup showcased exceptional talent and progression in British surfing. With enhanced competitive formats, high-calibre judging, and rising performance levels, the event reflects the growth of GB surfing and the promising future of its athletes on the international stage.

Results

Open Men

• Lukas Skinner
• Patrick Langdon-Dark
• Max Bennett
• Stanley Norman

Open Women

• Lauren Sandland
• Charlotte Mulley
• Alys Barton
• Ellie Turner

U18 Boys

• Lukas Skinner
• Arthur Randell
• Anders Ravenscroft
• Euan Buick

U18 Girls

• Lauren Sandland
• Lila Skinner
• Robyn Larg
• Nava Dowse-Harris