Surf Worlds 2022 - Mathew Lamont
This year I travelled to the surf kayak world championships in Bude, where I competed in the individual classes for long and short boat, and the team event representing England. In the week before the events kicked off there was a quiet atmosphere due to strong winds and big swells, I had some short surf's taking advantage of the high tide and lots of hours spent in Bude over the past year. Thursday brought registration, boat check in and opening ceremony, where we paraded through the town in our teams before performances from local dance and singing groups.
Over the next week we had a huge mix of conditions from small and super clean to huge swell and 40mph onshore winds requiring us to seek shelter at summerleaze beach, behind the breakwater.
Some of my favourite heats from the event where round 1 long boat where we had a low tide, punchy sand bar and setting sun, I caught a lovely wave that was right in the sweet spot where it feels like the wave is going to be too fast but keeps letting you make the section again and again before giving you a great section to finish on.
The open short round two heat was similar conditions, with great sun on the water giving a golden glow, and a fast wave. It was super competitive on the water for this one, but I managed to take the win. My favourite heat of the event was the short boat quarter final, where I got to compete against three of the English paddlers I've been competing against all year at the local competitions, and it was awesome to have the same conditions and same group in a world championship quarter final. I was stoked to win this heat and make it to my first world's semi final to come away from the event with a 5th in open short boat and 9th in open long boat.
I also had a fantastic time in the team event where England came second place. It's been great training and competing with this group all year and it's been an amazing vibe on the beach with loads of support for everyone. It's been great to be able to surf with everyone so much over the last year as well, and I can't wait to do the same for the next world's.
Big thank you to the organisers, Jack, Marc, Charlotte, Caroline, Alan, the volunteers, judges and everyone else for all the work they've put in over the last few years. Thank you to my girlfriend, family and friends for all their support over the past few years. Thank you to my sponsors for all the top quality equipment, Hobson Kayaks and PeakPS.
Photo Credits - Alwyn Lamont
