Hall wins first leg of UK Pro Surf Tour

Competing under the Irish flag, Glen Hall claims top spot

Surfer Glen Hall has won the Saltrock Open - the first competition in this year's UK Pro Surf Tour.

Hall, an Australian who now now competes for Ireland (his mother is Irish) beat Newquay's Russell Winter to the top spot at the event on Croyde Beach, North Devon, last weekend.

Also challenging Hall for first place in the final was Matt Capel and Alan Stokes, both from Newquay. Despite the tough competition, Hall won with some aggressive surfing in a battle 'full of drama and technical brilliance', according to organisers.

"For me it was a big move coming from Australia to Europe," Hall has said. "But Ireland holds a huge amount of potential in surfing, both in the waves and emerging talents ... I want to help put surfing on the map for Ireland."

Sarah Beardmore from Littlehampton, Swansea's Gwen Spurlock, Jo Dennison from Pembroke and Tass Swallow from Penzance were competing for the women's top spot. It was Beardmore's first UK Pro Surf tour and organisers say she dominated the final and took first place with a stunning performance.

The next UKPST event - the Gul Night Surf - takes place on Fistral Beach in Newquay from June 12th to 14th.

Results

Open

1st  Glen Hall     

2nd  Russell Winter

3rd  Alan Stokes

4th  Matt Capel

Womens

1st  Sarah Beardmore           

2nd  Gwen Spurlock

3rd  Tass Swallow

4th  Jo Dennison

For more information, visit www.ukprosurf.com