Surf predictions for the 17th Jesus Longboard Classic were quite difficult this weekend just gone, in fact very similiar to that of 2024. So after much discussion, communication with stakeholders, local surfers, the CSUK team, and a few extra prayers, contest director, Phil Williams, decided to tweak the contest so that the event was held over one and a half days. Predictions for Saturday was pretty small waves but with potential of something good on the push for a Sunday, which was going to be bigger but very contestable but a bit more onshore.
The plan was to run just 10 heats on the Saturday with the remaining 16 heats on Sunday, which was exactly as it turned out with some great competition in clean conditions on the push of the tide, on Saturday involving most of the 60+ longboarders.
The event, which is held at Polzeath Beach in conjunction with the Tubestation and organisers Christian Surfers UK, and the event seems to have moved now from the Autumn to its April date, which even though it was the Easter holidays this year still seems to be a very popular decision.
The event covers six categories, with a mixture of seasoned competitors at the top end of the longboard community in the UK, and a number of those who may be entering the contest for the first time and because of its friendly vibe hospitality and reputation for community.
The Christian Surfers crew gathered on Friday night to set up the venue and were back on site at 9am on Saturday morning to ensure everything was ready to go when the competitors checked in at 11 am.
Contest director Phil was quite relieved after a mid-morning surf check confirmed there was indeed swell, and he was pretty confident that once the spring tide pushed in back, it would clean up and there would be good contestable waves for those 10 heats.
Day one finished with a free barbecue hosted for all those involved, and the hospitality team were stoked to see that the rain had moved off from earlier in the day, when it was torrential for a few hours.
Sunday mornings at the Jesus longboard classic are always really special as we start the day with the surfers blessing and this was particularly poignant this Sunday because it was Palm Sunday, an important date in the Christian calendar, a packed Tubestation of regulars, volunteers, and surfers connected with contest got involved, a great way to start the day.
There was great surfing in all divisions, and when it came to the finals all the heats were pretty stacked. In the over 60s event a great performance by Colin Bright from Llantwit, saw him take the victory ahead of south Devons Steve Broad, with Backwell’s Ben Keay in 3rd, and Gwyn Bright taking 4th.
Moving through the age categories in the over 50’s Camborne surfer Chris Webb, got revenge on his 2024 result, by beating Matt Thomas for the title, with Bristol Ben Keay taking 3rd ahead of Shannon Denny, entering her first Jesus longboard contest, and bringing a great vibe to proceedings.
The over 35’s division is always one of the most popular divisions, this year there was a new name on the trophy, Hayle’s Nico Keruzec, who surfed fantastically throughout the day, beating Sean Facey into second place with Jesus longboard classic regulars Greg Norman and Adrian Napper taking the third and fourth space spots in a great final.
The under 18’s (mixed event) always showcases the future of the longboard sport in the UK, with a number of new names this year, with some really strong performances this was a very exciting category. Reggie Roynon improved on his third place from last year taking the win ahead of his archrival Rowan Curbishley a great competitive battle. Paola Clifton took third place with another newbie to the event, and fantastic to have her perform in two categories Elisabeth Evans from Polzeath taking fourth.
Both the open categories of men and women were some of the tightest we have had since the event began, and in the women’s event Beth Leighfield went one better than last year by taking the event ahead of good friend and competition rival Emily Currie, who was less than half a point behind. A fantastic showcase of women surfing with Sophie Williamson from Newquay and Jen Pendlebury from St Columb also surfing really well, taking third and fourth place respectively.
The men’s final changed places throughout the 20 minute heat and in the end there was less than one point separating the top three surfers with Nico Keruzec winning his second category of the event and his first ever Jesus longboard open title ahead of Braunton’s Charlie Unsworth and Porthtowan’s Arthur Randel just before he flies out to represent his country in El Salvador at the world longboard Championships. Junior Rowan Curbishley also served so so well to finish fourth in the final.
The award ceremony took place in a packed Tubestation just after 4 pm, and the presentation started, with contest director Phil Williams sharing a little bit about the history and a special this event is to him and semi-others as it will be his last event running this in his role as national director for Christian surfers UK. You will be stepping down in August after 32 years but the great news is his replacement has been found and Ben Lillie with us throughout the weekend and will be another fantastic leader for this organisation.
Phil shared a bit about the faith importance of the surfers Bible and thanked all of that community present for friendship fun smiles and the love of longboard surfing.
Before the men’s award was announced Phil also awarded the oceans perpetual trophy in memory of the very special lady and key member of Christian surfers Sabina Edwards who passed away a couple of years ago this year it was an honour to hand it to Emily Currie friend of Sabina’s as well as a real advocate and legend in the longboard surf community. We wish Emily all the best she also flies out to El Salvador
Each of the first placed winners received a stunning trophy designed by CS member Chris Clark, and other places also took away lovely trophies and prizes.
A massive thanks for all involved in putting on this really successful event and in particular for all of the surfers who competed, the beach-based CS volunteers, and of course everybody involved with running the event and the hospitality back at Tubestation. Era also did a great job with the water safety.
JESUS LONGBOARD CLASSIC – 2025 RESULTS
Open Name Home
1 Nico Keruzec Hayle
2 Charley Unsworth Braunton
3 Arthur Randell Porthtowan
4 Rowan Curbishley St Buryan
5
Womens Open
1 Beth Leighfield Bude
2 Emily Currie Bude
3 Sophie Williamson Newquay
4 Jen Pendlebury St Columb
Over 35’s
1 Nico Keruzec Hayle
2 Sean Facey Taunton
3 Greg Norman Appledore
4 Adrian Napper Newquay
Over 50’s Name Home
1 Chris Webb Camborne
2 Matt Thomas St Agnes
3 Ben Keay Backwell
4 Shannon Denny Braunton
Under 18’s
1 Reggie Roynon Penzance
2 Rowan Curbishly St Buryan
3 Paola Clifton Perranporth
4 Elisabeth Evans Polzeath
5
Over 60’s
1 Colin Bright Llantwit major
2 Steve Broad Loddiscombe
3 Ben Keay Backwell
4 Gwyn Bright Llantwit major
Sabina Edwards – Perpetual Commemoration ‘Oceans’ Award – Emily Currie
