Busy summer of celebration ahead for extreme sports missions organisation Christian Surfers UK
Christian Surfers UK , the extreme sports missions charity look all set for a busy, but very exciting summer. Having just celebrated their 18th National Conference, in North Devon, where over 100 of the ‘family’ met; they are now in the middle of virtually weekly events, in skate parks or beaches around the UK.
National Director Phil Williams who has just celebrated 10 years of living by faith overseeing the organisation, explains ‘Community and long term relationships are at the heart of what we stand for, and this Summer looks one of our busiest yet Following on from our recent National gathering, we have just returned from serving at one of the biggest free beach festivals ‘Paddle Round the Pier’ in Brighton. Here we have a stand amongst the hundreds of stalls, but also help the organisers in the set up and take down of the site, and are privileged to be asked to do a very simple ‘blessing’ for the event on Sunday morning. The rest of August and September see some of our 400 plus volunteers serving events such as Soul Survivor, Creationfest, Boardmasters, 10th Nailsea Community Skateboard festival and World Belly board championships. What an amazing opportunity to serve, surf, and share our faith, in a practical as well as spoken way’
Two other events though need special mention. Firstly over the weekend of August Christian Surfers UK launch there 1st Surf Camp for over 10 years, as they feel God opening the doors to provide expert Surf tuition, in a camping environment with fellowship, and quality time spent chatting about faith and life. The event will be held at Warcombe Farm in North Devon, and is open to all those above 14, for more information contact Johnny Hillman on 07970148232 or www.christiansurfers.co.uk
Perhaps thou the biggest celebration of the year thou is the running of the 20th high profile Jesus Surf Classic surf contest. One of the oldest and biggest surf championships in the UK, set up to serve the surfing community.
The ever popular Jesus Surf Classic, is coming to its traditional home of Croyde Bay, North Devon over the weekend 8th – 9th September 2012.
This year, organisers Christian Surfers UK are celebrating the landmark 20th Jesus Surf Classic, and are looking forward to welcoming the 120+ competitors to an exciting weekend of surfing, skateboarding, and a few surprises!
To mark the 20th anniversary there will be increased prize money in all the divisions ( Open winner £400, Women’s Open winner £200 ), and some celebratory T-shirts given free to all competitors. Weather permitting the Skate Park and big move skate competition will be back, along with the numerous refreshments, and big screen surf movies in the marquee.
On Saturday night at Croyde village hall starting at 7.30pm there will also be a charity fundraiser as part of the event, with live music, to raise funds for ‘Paul's place’ a fantastic local charity providing a break for young adults experiencing bereavement, a life threatening illness, or being a carer.
During the previous 20 years the ‘Jesus’ has only ever seen flat conditions on two days, and that's either good fortune, or perhaps as a result of the extra prayers sent up by the organisers, you decide !!
Numerous of the U.K.'s top surfers have featured in the competition over the years coming through from the under 12’s (Groms division) through to the Masters ( Over 35’s ).
Some of the statistics involved in running this event over the years, include, around £30,000 of prize money distributed, more than 2800 competitor entries, around 10,000 beef burgers consumed, over 1500 heats judged, and supporting the whole event over 2000 volunteers giving their time for free.
Please make a note of the date, as numbers in the competition are always restricted, and keep checking back to www.christiansurfers.co.uk for all the latest developments.
Over 100 Christian Surfers volunteers from around the country, as well as the local churches camp out for the weekend together at the contest site. They serve the surfers ( Many of which are the best in the country in their age categories ), organise the skateboard competitions and build on friendships developed over the previous years. The gospel message is shared as part of the presentations, and Surfers a
nd Skaters bibles are given out free to all competitors.
Also look out for the 6th Jesus Longboard Classic which will be running on October 6th-7th, consisting of Open, Women’s, Master’s and Junior categories.
This stand-alone contest, which has been running since 2007, will be held at the ‘Tubestation’ Polzeath, North Cornwall, and attracts over 80 of the UK’s top Longboard surfers.
All in all then, away from the amazing opportunities which the Olympics provides, this next few months looks like being a fantastic summer ahead of surfing, skateboarding, serving and sharing the great news of the gospels to some of the 350,000 surfers who surf around the coast of the UK. If interested, get involved, we would love to see you, as we have seen God do some amazing things over the 1st 20 years of the organisation, excited for the next 20 !!
Note - For more information please contact Phil Williams at phil a_t christiansurfers d_o_t co d_o_t uk or 07774 138143.