Enter the gladiators

Monday 28th September 2009, 2:58PM BST.

Teams took part in the sand and water ceremony to mark the opening of the contest. Picture: David Ferguson (00798431)

SOME of Europe’s top surfers paraded through St Helier on Saturday at the start of the week-long Eurosurf 2009 championships.

Competitors from France, Spain, Portugal, Wales, England, Ireland, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium and the Channel Islands participated in the official opening ceremony at 5 pm on Saturday. It is the first time that the event has been held in Jersey since 1983.

About 200 surfers paraded through the middle of St Helier wearing their national colours and waving flags.

‘Lots of people came out of the shops and everyone cleared the pubs and saluted the teams,’ said Jersey Surfboard Club president Dave Ferguson. ‘The Cock and Bottle pub gave the loudest cheer for the Irish team.’

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