Defending Champ Mike Lay Ready for Round Two of the Spring Classic Surf Invitational

After training in Mexico, he’s surf and festival fit.

The finest surf sliders in the land have been invited to North Devon to go toe to toe with local legends and shredders in the Spring Classic Surf Invitational. Sponsored by Dead Man’s Fingers and AllPress Espresso, it’s part surf competition, part jamboree, part festival, with a large dash of rum and a surf history chaser.

“I see it very much a gathering of the tribe. To have some of the UK’s most talented and creative surfers, plus special guests all in the one place, having fun, listening to music, sharing ideas, and the odd cocktail will be a rare treat,” said Wavelength Print Editor Mike Lay.

Lay will come in perhaps not only as the defending champion but maybe red hot favourite. The Cornish lifeguard, writer, poet, editor, and father has been secretly training in Mexico for most of April. The gooyfooter has been surfing with like-minded longboarding souls and taking part in the Mexi Log Fest, in La Saladita.

Mike, “in training” in Mexico. Photo by Matty Snelling

“I don’t think anyone can be considered favourite,” argued the ever-modest Lay. “For one, there are incredible surfers in the field. From UK OGs to local legends, and stars of the future groms like Malakai Hagley. And two, with surfers riding retro surf crafts from the Museum of British’s surfing stash, drawn at random ahead of each heat, it’s the in the lap of the Gods. Last year I was assigned a 1960s log in tiny waves. It’s the luck of the draw.”

He might also have added that with six-person heats and freestyle judging criteria that largely reward those having the most fun, winning isn’t, really, the point.

Mike knows you never put your back to the ocean.

“My takeout from last year was that there were lots of familiar faces and some new ones, all of them smiling all weekend long. I’m tipping we’ll see more of the same this year, hopefully with some great waves on Combesgate’s low tide banks,” said Lay, in between sessions of cold beer and long lefthand points.

Out of the water, Dead Man’s Fingers, the iconic UK rum producer, have also come on board to refresh the Spring Classic’s post-splash activities. They’ll add some spice and good times to all the action on the beach and some rum tastings for those of a suitable age. Their rum bar on site will also provide the perfect cocktails in between sets on the main stage.