Spring Sessions at the Surf Invitational

With the Surf Invitational due to take centre stage at the Spring Classic festival in May, we’ve lined up some of the best local sliders and gliders to take on the low tide banks at Combesgate Beach.

The competition will be formatted towards rewarding the surfers having the most fun, with a selection of retro crafts handed out pre-heat to ensure plenty of nose-ride and tail-slide action throughout the day. 

With the festival celebrating classic ride culture against panoramic ocean views of the beautiful Devon coastline, the event is sure to deliver an extra-special weekend by the waves. 

We caught up with a few riders who will be paddling out in the contest to talk spring sessions and festival favourites.

Alan Stokes

1. What’s your favourite board to surf at the moment?

@formsurfboards STOKESTIK

2. What retro surf craft would you most like to be handed at the SC Surf Invitational?

A vintage twin fin, maybe something like an MR.

3. If you could be surfing any wave in the world right now, where would it be and why?

I would love to be surfing an empty, hollow, right sand point somewhere warm, but maybe in a summer wetsuit so I can surf all day with no rash.

4. Do you have any stand-out tunes that are getting you pumped for a surf session at the moment?

I’m loving old school Pennywise and Offspring tracks.

5. What would you recommend as the best festival hangover cure?

A cold water swim and a big brekkie, then maybe a surf later in the day!

6. What does a classic spring weekend look like for you?

Nice warm weather and fun surf, followed by a beer as the sun sets – simple!

Harry Timson

1. What’s your favourite board to surf at the moment?

My go to is a Hazzatron 5’9” shaped by the legend himself, Nigel Semmens.

2. What retro surf craft would you most like to be handed at the SC Surf Invitational?

I would love to be handed something like a Euro Bullet (the board that won Nigel Semmens the European title back in the day!)

3. If you could be surfing any wave in the world right now, where would it be and why?

It would probably be somewhere in Indo, I’m not too picky as long as there are big barrels and board shorts I’m good!

4. Do you have any stand-out tunes that are getting you pumped for a surf session at the moment?

The Toy Dolls – Firey Jack. The ultimate pump track for surfing!

5. What would you recommend as the best festival hangover cure?

Hangovers don’t exist at festivals, it’s a long haul not a sprint! But, if you do a number on yourself the answer is another pint of course.

6. What does a classic spring weekend look like for you?

Spring looks like a good couple of surfs with a midday pasty and coming to the end of the day with a BBQ! And, you can’t forget your tan lines from your hooded wetsuit as it is only spring!

Izzy Henshall

1. What retro surf craft would you most like to be handed at the SC Surf Invitational?

Ideally a log if it’s small that day… but if the surf is a bit chunkier then I’d much prefer a smaller single fin of some sort as it would be a lot easier to manage. With UK comps it’s impossible to know what kinda conditions we’ll get. 

2. If you could be surfing any wave in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Can I say a left hand version of Noosa with an empty line up? I’m goofy so I like lefts. 

3. Do you have any stand-out tunes that are getting you pumped for a surf session at the moment?

‘Miss You’ by The Rolling Stones is a good one, I’ve been listening to that quite a bit. 

4. What would you recommend as the best festival hangover cure?

I’m still trying to work that one out myself. More beer?

5. What does a classic spring weekend look like for you?

It tends to include searching for waves, surfing, and hopefully good weather. It’s definitely my favourite time of year. 

Emily Currie

1. What’s your favourite board to surf at the moment?

I love riding my 9’3 Quill Model log. It goes well in all conditions and is a super fun cruisy board.

2. What retro surf craft would you most like to be handed at the SC Surf Invitational?

I would love a fish or a traditional log, I love riding all types of boards so will enjoy whatever I’m handed. 

3. If you could be surfing any wave in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Would love to be surfing at Tea Trees in Noosa right now, it’s one of the most beautiful places, waves are warm and in the town they have the best açai bowls!

4. Do you have any stand-out tunes that are getting you pumped for a surf session at the moment?

Usually something upbeat that I can sing along to. I love having a song in my head when I’m in the water! 

5. What would you recommend as the best festival hangover cure?

A little surf to freshen up and some coffee, haha!

6. What does a classic spring weekend look like for you?

We spend a lot of time going away in the van, surfing all day, eating good food, and surfing some more!

Grab your Spring Classic tickets now for a weekend of beach vibes and ocean rides!