So, the contest season kicked off at the Europeans. From Ireland I carried on travelling up to Scotland, for the Relentless Super Series event. The waves pumped at Thurso East where the event was held. Again its some of the best conditions I have surfed in for a competition. Four to six foot barrels raced down the ledgey right hand point break offering  BIG  scores.  My highlight in the contest was... Quote from Ester Spears head judge;

"Heat of the day was quarter final number two involving Russ Winter, Tom Butler, Alan Stokes and Luis Eyre when the swell was at it’s peak in the six to eight feet range. Butts pulled some swooping man sized hacks with all the grace of a swan in full flight while Stoksey posted the highest scoring wave of the day linking together some death defying floaters and about warp factor 8; to take first and second respectively."

In the end I finished 3rd on the podium. Not bad after a 12 hour drive and hardly any sleep. The waves really did get messed up with the wind by finals time. Just as the forecast had predicted!!!

So, onto Wales after Scotland for another Uk Pro tour contest. Oh and another 3rd place finish! :) The waves were very difficult and stormy as the photo shows!

After the Welsh contest I had a week at home before the Uk Pro Tour got into full swing again the next stop was Tynemouth just outside of Newcastle. Newcastle some might say... It's home to some really crazy waves the best in England in my opinion. So it was up to the north east coast, 3 days earlier than the contest was scheduled to start. We headed up early to catch a lovely day of waves at a secret location. I had a really epic barrel and scored some great little Go Pro clips. Shots will be out in the mags next month!

Oh and the contest, well it was another 3rd place finish so very consistent :)

Check out the Uk Pro tour website for news and Photos www.ukprosurf.com.

At the end of September I travelled to Ireland to compete in the European championships. As part of 13 man and woman English team, you surf the competition individually collecting points along the way for the team.

The wave where the competition was held was called "The Peak", located in the centre of Bundoran town. Spectators were close to the action!!! The competition brought together teams from all over Europe. Thirteen teams took part in the championships, from wave rich France and Portugal down to wave starved Switzerland and Belgium. The atmosphere was great and all countries had entered there best national surfers.

I was surfing in the Open division for England. The Europeans have a format were nobody looses straight away you have a second chance !! You start in the main round, if you loose here you drop down into the losers round if you fail here there is no second chance and your out the competition!!

I started off strongly beating eventual winner Pablo Gutierrez in my second round heat. I made it all the way to the progression final only to loose to yours truly Alan Stokes and flying Portuguese surfer Jaeo Guedues... So in i went to the losers final with one more shot at making the main final. I got knocked out... boo hoo.

I ended up placing 6th overall out of 50 surfers who started. Gaining valuable points to Team England's final positioning of 4th out of 13 teams.

I'm happy with the result. With a tiny bit of tweaking of my technique and style i know i can be placing at the top of this competition over the next few years.

Check out the contest website at http://eurosurfbundoran.com

Once again the Joe Way Paddle for life was a huge success. A huge entry kept all organisers and safety staff on their toes!! We had 200 participants competing in the charity event at Newquay Harbour.

I feel really previledged to be an ambassador for such a great positive charity. The Way family have raised large amounts of  money, donating funds towards the building of the Little Harbour Childrens Hospice.

All the community who have helped put their time and effort into events to raise funds for the precious lives appeal (the name of the charity raising funds for the hospice) need a pat on the back!!

So the paddle day its self...... Well my involvement with the day is organising the water safety team. Although this year i had great back up from Nick Pendreich (Newquay surf life saving club) Plus great eyes on the shore being provided by Will, he didn't miss a beat.

With the event being run from mid tide, up to high, on a very large spring tide we have loads of traffic in the way of fishing vessels heading back in from their days work out at sea.

After a full hard days work out at sea a lot of these fishermen seemed to be in a hurry to make it back on dry land. Sooo my job was to race out to the Harbour entrance on my jet ski and check the sea leading up to the harbour entrance was free and clear of danger. Then, Bang the starter would sound and the races got under way.

After all the community had raced their socks off it was time for the R.N.L.I life guards to compete in our relay race. Seven teams consisting of five guards, from the different beaches in the Restormal area battled it out. First to cross the line were Porth lifeguards captained by Rod "The Rocket" Mc Donald. Followed by yours truly team Watergate. After this race it was up the stairs to the rowing club were the auction got under way. Many thanks to Big Dave for crafting an incredible Mirror again.The mirror auctioned at £500 bringing the total raised from this years paddle  up to £2000. The total from all Joe Way fundraisers this year has reached the £5000 mark. Well done the Way family, Team Joe Way and all the generous people who have donated throughout the year.

See you at next years paddle. Tom.