AFTER serving up a spectacular display of bodyboarding skills, chef Aiden Dixon emerged from the water at Grève de Lecq as the Channel Islands Open champion on Saturday.

Dixon (24), said: ‘I was very pleased to win.

The water was cold, but I’m used to that, coming from New Zealand! Grève de Lecq is a good choice for bodyboarding and although the waves were smaller than we’d have liked, they were contestable, and I think Colin Crowther and the other organisers did a really good job, I’ve been here since the summer and love Jersey – if Colin invites me back I’d be glad to come back to defend my title!’ Crowther said he was delighted with the number of bodyboarders who turned up.

‘It was a good turnout, around 18 or 19 which is the best we’ve ever had in a bodyboard contest, The waves weren’t as big as we’d expected – they were more fun-sized – but we had some good waves, and we’re planning more events over the coming winter.’ Dixon stole the show in the stormy conditions when, having already found a series of good waves and produced some smooth manoeuvres, then caught a perfectly lined-up left-hander.

After bottom-turning and building up speed, he aimed for the lip of the steepest section of the wave and launched into a huge air-roll-spin (ARS), and landed back on the wave in spectacular style to out-point his opponents.

Pete Bolam, who won the Seniors event, was also in excellent form and finished second in the Open category, ahead of Terry Oliveira and Andy de la Mare, with Colin Crowther fifth.

Phil Le Neveu retained his Junior title, scoring more than double the points of David Speller, recently crowned Surf Kayak World champion, who won the drop-knee class on Saturday, but had to be content with the Junior runners-up position.

Earth Wind & Water sponsored the event.

Open: 1, Aiden Dixon 37 points; 2, Peter Bolam 23; 3, Terry Oliviera 22; 4, Andy De La Mare 21; 5, Colin Crowther 19; 6, Simon Watkins 18.5; 7, Colin Laurent 18.2; 8, Phil Le Neveu 17.5; 9, Stefano Ricci 17; 10, James Manners 15.5; 11, Gary Le Neveu 14.8; 12, Sean Ellis 14.5; 13, Luke Channing 13; 14, Greg Sanderson 11; 15, Seb Bonnier 8.5.

Drop Knee: 1, David Speller 13.5; 2, Andy de la Mare 11.5; 3, Colin Crowther 11; 4, Sean Ellis 8; 5, Phil Le Neveu 7; 6, Colin Laurent 4.5.

Junior: 1, Phil Le Neveu 21.4; 2, David Speller 10.5; 3, Pascal Quéméner 7.2; 4, Greg Sanderson 5.5.

Senior: 1, Peter Bolam; 2, Andy De La Mare; 3, Colin Crowther; 4, Simon Watkins.