On the Friday night everyone gathered for the long awaited and traditional chin wag and drinking session in the Cardiff club’s favourite meeting place. Most people were on top form and displaying why SWA events are thriving.

Saturday morning started off with the ever popular ritual of bacon sarnies, followed by a road trip down to Porthcawl. Unfortunately the wind gods did not deliver enough wind to hold the second leg of the RRD and EZZY wave trilogy on the Saturday. However this did not dampen anyone’s spirits by any means. Many people braved the icy Welsh seas to try their hand (or feet) at stand up paddle boarding, others took to surfing and body boarding. Taffy from Bristol happily amused himself by constructing, what many though was a rather unique looking sandcastle, which transpired to be a ramp for the land boarders to showcase their skills. Once the beach activities had wound down many migrated to the local café to chill their beans before the evening antics were due to begin.

In true SWA style no expenses were spared on the Saturday evening as many of the Cardiff club joined the party which saw some truly amazing fancy dress in keeping with the surfari theme. Zebras, lions, tigers and game keepers were all witnessed drinking around the watering hole, which contained the infamous Cardiff secret recipe punch. Once an extraordinary amount of punch had been consumed, the party moved on to the students union where many people were seen to be busting some rather special dance moves! A fantastic night was had by all.

Even with the large amount of punch that had been consumed the night before, most people managed to make it to the beach on time for a day on the water. Marginal conditions and mediocre waves created some very tricky conditions for competition but all the Girls and Boys of the SWA made the most of it. The girls started off the RRD and EZZY wave competition with a bang by showing the lads a very high standard of wave riding. Unfortunately the waves were a little on the small side for massive loops and jumps but never the less the boys answered back with some seriously impressive riding in such difficult conditions.

The event was concluded with a prize giving at the Pura Vida Boardriders shop, thank you to Pura Vida for the Prizes for this round of the RRD and EZZY wave series. Well done to everyone who competed.

1st Gemma Lewis (Cardiff)

2nd Sarah Bibby (Southampton)

3rd Maeli Cherel (Southampton)

1st Adam Sims (Portsmouth)

2nd Seb Willis (Cardiff)

3rd Tom Malin (UWE)

A massive thank you to everyone who came to the event and made it such a rip roaring success especially thanks to the Cardiff committee for being on top form and showing that events held in Wales can live up to expectations. Thank you to RRD/EZZY for sponsoring the Wave series 2008-2009 and all the other sponsors who help to make the SWA what a hit it is. Also thanks to all the SWA committee and safety boat team, who rocked up to the event to show that it’s not just students who know how to drink punch. Bring on the Southampton Wave Event and the Cardiff Core Event…

The SWA is sponsored by Club Vass, Boardwise, Naish, RRD/Ezzy, Starboard/Tushingham, BooHai, Turfdog, Severne

Words: Beth Sangwine

Photos Javier Choi