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| Cornwall bellyboarding championships get a 'cool' edge | Cornwall bellyboarding championships get a 'cool' edge |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| By Jonathan Morris BBC News, Plymouth | By Jonathan Morris BBC News, Plymouth |
| Competitors from all over the world have travelled to Cornwall for the 10th annual World Bellyboarding Championships. | |
| The event on Sunday at Chapel Porth beach at St Agnes saw a record 350 people take to the sea. | |
| "They were a bit of a joke five or 10 years ago," says Devon bellyboarder Sally Martin, showing her plyboard wood. | "They were a bit of a joke five or 10 years ago," says Devon bellyboarder Sally Martin, showing her plyboard wood. |
| "Surfers would never have dreamed of going on them." | "Surfers would never have dreamed of going on them." |
| And you can see her point. | And you can see her point. |
| Yet the skinny boards that many learned to surf on as children are now being taken more seriously, and a new wave of surfers is lining up to have a go at the sport of bellyboarding. | Yet the skinny boards that many learned to surf on as children are now being taken more seriously, and a new wave of surfers is lining up to have a go at the sport of bellyboarding. |
| Among them is former pro bodyboarder Jack Johns, 26, who was crowned 2010 bellyboarding champion. | Among them is former pro bodyboarder Jack Johns, 26, who was crowned 2010 bellyboarding champion. |
| "It's being picked up a younger generation as a super-cool and different way to ride waves," said the former professional surfer. | "It's being picked up a younger generation as a super-cool and different way to ride waves," said the former professional surfer. |
| "It's still regarded as quite eccentric, but professional surfers are really starting to enjoy them. | "It's still regarded as quite eccentric, but professional surfers are really starting to enjoy them. |
| "It's something I picked up for fun and really loved it." | "It's something I picked up for fun and really loved it." |
| Newquay surfing instructor Laura Hamblin reckons bellyboarding is a "blast" and highly rated Porthleven surfer Sam Boex is also among the converts. | Newquay surfing instructor Laura Hamblin reckons bellyboarding is a "blast" and highly rated Porthleven surfer Sam Boex is also among the converts. |
| So bellyboarding is deemed cool in some quarters, but what about the costumes? | So bellyboarding is deemed cool in some quarters, but what about the costumes? |
| After the all, wetsuits are banned and the retro look is de rigeur at the contest where there is a prize for the most nattily dressed bellyboarder. | After the all, wetsuits are banned and the retro look is de rigeur at the contest where there is a prize for the most nattily dressed bellyboarder. |
| The event, described as a very British celebration of the traditional art of surf riding, even has a prize for best baked cake. | The event, described as a very British celebration of the traditional art of surf riding, even has a prize for best baked cake. |
| Ms Martin, 52, admits: "It is quite eccentric. | Ms Martin, 52, admits: "It is quite eccentric. |
| "But it is incredibly sociable. It is about having fun in the waves. | "But it is incredibly sociable. It is about having fun in the waves. |
| "You have to have a certain talent or be a certain age to stand up on a surfboard, but this is really inclusive." | "You have to have a certain talent or be a certain age to stand up on a surfboard, but this is really inclusive." |
| 'Special atmosphere' | 'Special atmosphere' |
| Bellyboarding has become a career for the former graphic designer. | Bellyboarding has become a career for the former graphic designer. |
| Her Devon-based belly board firm, The Original Surfboard Company, has sold 1,300 boards since it was launched in 2008. | Her Devon-based belly board firm, The Original Surfboard Company, has sold 1,300 boards since it was launched in 2008. |
| "I went to the world championships in 2007 and loved it," she said. | "I went to the world championships in 2007 and loved it," she said. |
| "You are more in the wave because the boards are thinner. | "You are more in the wave because the boards are thinner. |
| "I have been getting up at five o'clock and working all day because it is something I feel passionate about and enjoy." | "I have been getting up at five o'clock and working all day because it is something I feel passionate about and enjoy." |
| All you need to compete at the championships is a 4ft (1.2m) piece of wood, a swimming costume and perhaps a little bravery. | All you need to compete at the championships is a 4ft (1.2m) piece of wood, a swimming costume and perhaps a little bravery. |
| It was started by local lifeguard Martyn Ward and surfer Chris Ryan in 2003, when about 20 competitors gathered for a memorial contest to Arthur Traveller. | It was started by local lifeguard Martyn Ward and surfer Chris Ryan in 2003, when about 20 competitors gathered for a memorial contest to Arthur Traveller. |
| Mr Traveller, a panel beater from London was a regular visitor to Cornwall and would bellyboard the waves of Chapel Porth whatever the weather. | Mr Traveller, a panel beater from London was a regular visitor to Cornwall and would bellyboard the waves of Chapel Porth whatever the weather. |
| The championships have now grown and this year include an international field aged from eight upwards. | The championships have now grown and this year include an international field aged from eight upwards. |
| National Trust Ranger and contest director Nick Holden said: "Regardless of where they place in the heats, hundreds of competitors will be guaranteed to leave the water with wide smiles. | National Trust Ranger and contest director Nick Holden said: "Regardless of where they place in the heats, hundreds of competitors will be guaranteed to leave the water with wide smiles. |
| "It's just a special atmosphere which a growing number of people help to create." | "It's just a special atmosphere which a growing number of people help to create." |