Sam George competing on the opening day of Eurosurf 2009 (00799074)

SMALL surf failed to worry Europe’s best as this year’s Eurosurf got under way at St Ouen’s Bay yesterday.

It was a day for snappy and speedy surfing as the conditions brought a small swell to challenge the competitors representing more than ten different countries.

Frenchman Damien Chaudoy, Spain’s Pablo Solar and Abdelkhalek Elharim from Morocco showing some true form.

For the Channel Islands team Christian Boletta and Piers Gould sailed through the first round of their Open competition with wins as did Shelley McFarling who impressed to progress through the ladies’ event.

She said: ‘I was stoked to win my heat. The conditions are interesting because if there aren’t big waves coming it mixes things up and you never know what’s going to happen – it gives everyone a chance.’

Arlene Maltman, Ben Skinner, Gordon Blake, and Sam George all achieved second places with only Mark Durbano and Mark Le Moignan gaining third places in round one forcing them into the repercharge round. They will need to do well in that today to win a place back into the main competition.