Bajan surfer stays on course

Barbados’ Mark Holder was on a steady course to the finals of the Shandy Carib International Surfing Classic at the end of a full first day at San Souci Beach on Saturday.

Defending the local honour against the Bajan invasion was Trinidad and Tobago’s Che Lovelace. Both Lovelace and Holder are among 12 who advanced from a starting field of 60 competitors in the Open Division vying for $4,200 in cash prizes yesterday. The prominent surfers topped their respective heats displaying better control and wave riding prowess than their peers. All competitors and spectators present however shared a light atmosphere when out of the water. Barbados was well represented by a 31-member contingent who planted their flag on the beach as a patriotic gesture. Two competitors each represented Jamaica and Martinique; Venezuela was represented in the Women’s Division as was the United States of America.

The juniors, Jack Balding, Lennon Duncan, O’Neil Coa, Shane Tuach, Simeon Cupid, Jesse Jarvis, Brian Joseph and Justin Tang, also had a go at it yesterday as they contest their semi-finals and finals. On Saturday they gave a spirited effort on the first day despite a otherwise un-co-operative sea. Expecting a short stay in the water, the Body Boarders and Women were scheduled to go straight into the finals on the second day of surfing. Alexis Jordan, Ava Gnheam and Kerry Peck matched wits for top honours in the women’s division while Alberto Santi, John Luc, P Wilson, A Alleyne and C Barber grappled for top spot among the body boarders. The Mountain Biking competition was also contested yesterday with the Cross Country XE and the Downhill Challenge which will run along an Aragua Trace course.