FOUR Jersey surf kayakers travelled to California this month for the 22nd Annual Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Festival.

The competition was held at Steamer Lane, a well known surf break, and while Guernsey’s Chris Harvey won the men’s World Cup qualifier, the Jersey entries had a good showing too.

Junior world champion, David Speller, who was 22nd in the men’s World Cup qualifier, took the top spot from eight entries in the Junior World Cup qualifier.

Facing arch rival Chris Hobson, from Northern Ireland, in the final along with England’s rising star, Sam Davenport and Graham Alexander from the USA, Speller wanted to prove himself as a big wave surfer.

While Hobson elected to ride the cleaner inside waves, Speller’s sets arrived and he rode the three biggest waves of the final to lift the junior trophy.

Stuart McGlinchey, who was 33rd from 36 in the men’s World Cup qualifier, surfed his way into the International men’s long boat final and with some great wave selection finished fourth.

Ailsa McDougall finished third from seven in the women’s World Cup qualifier, and showed her ability to master both long and short boats as she came second, from three entries, in the women’s International class.

Richard Jones, competing for the first time at this event, surfed excellently at the Indicators site on Steamer Lane, winning both his heats and placing fourth, on a combined points total, from 13 entries in the High Performance Intermediate Open.