A GROUP of men “ruined” what was shaping up to be Jersey’s strongest performance at an annual surf competition, the team’s manager has said – as he described how non-competitors shouted abuse at female semi-finalists which led to the final heats being postponed.
Roley McMichael, who manages the Channel Islands Surfing Team, told the JEP that several “big guys” surfing recreationally outside the competition in Thurso, Scotland, paddled out during the women’s semi-final of the GB Surfing Cup and began “verbally abusing” competitors – leaving one in tears.
He said the event had been shaping up to be the team’s best result at the national competition, which brings together surfers from England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands.
Nathan Elms, who works for Jersey Coastguard, and RNLI lifeguard Owen Graham had both qualified for the men’s open final before organisers postponed the remaining heats.
None of the female semi-finalists were from Jersey.
“It was a very, very strange afternoon,” Mr McMichael told the JEP yesterday.
“Everything looked set for a good day of surfing, but as the girls paddled out, six or seven locals went out and dropped in on them, basically being an absolute pain.
“Given most of the girls are teenagers, it was an intimidating experience – they were big guys, verbally abusing them, swearing at them, and one even landed on one of the girls, leaving her in tears. But when the men went out, they didn’t say a word.
“They really screwed up the whole thing. After thousands of pounds being spent, they ruined it with just over an hour of the competition to go.”
“This was going to be our best weekend, with two in the men’s final. It went from the best weekend to one of the strangest. It is very disappointing end to what was going to be one of the best ever weekends for us”
GB Surfing announced the finals were called off on Sunday in a statement on social media.
The governing body wrote: “We understand that there is a police investigation proceeding into an alleged incident of abuse towards competitive surfers by ‘free’ surfers, initially directed towards female competitors in the GB Cup.
“The board of GB Surfing is deeply concerned by the news of the incident, which has brought the event to an abrupt end.
“We recognise that surfers in the final will be disappointed by the premature termination of the competition following an incident, but we are grateful to the event delivery team for acting promptly and their cooperation with the police in this matter.”
The statement was also shared by the Channel Islands Surfing Federation on social media.
GB Surfing director Arlene Maltman, who represents Channel Islands interests on the board, described the situation as “deeply disappointing” and stressed that Jersey’s surf community “does not condone that kind of behaviour from any surfer”.
“Surfing is a welcoming and inclusive sport in the Island,” she said.
“We encourage participation and have safeguarding policies in place across our clubs. Jersey promotes inclusivity and accessibility for anyone who wants to take part.”
The former British Surfing Champion also praised the athletes competing in challenging conditions, adding that she “admired their strength and determination during the incident”.
In an update posted yesterday, GB Surfing confirmed that the postponed heats will be rerun.
They said the Open Women’s semi-finals would be held again, followed by the Women’s final and the Men’s Open final, which includes Jersey surfers Elms and Graham.
It added that officials were “working with the Home Nation teams and surfers to confirm a date and venue”, with further details to be announced once finalised.
The Channel Islands fielded a nine-strong team, managed by Mr McMichael and captained by Sam George.
The men’s line-up included Max Bennett, Will Masterman, Nathan Elms, Owen Graham, Sam George and Byron Stolte, while junior surfers Nava Dowse-Harris, Daisy Heddercott and Rebecca Lynam represented the Island in the women’s category.
