Triumph for Wales at Big Wave Tow surfing event
Welsh surfers have a long history of success in major international surfing contests, dating back to the seventies when Pete Jones was crowned the "King of Europe".
However, no one would have guessed that we would one day have a big wave champion hailing from our little country - but that's exactly what we’ve got!!!
In waves of over 40 ft in height, a local Swansea surfer has stunned the surfing world by taking top honours at the inaugural Big Wave event at Mullaghmore head, County Sligo, Ireland, on the 13th of February.
Glyn Ovens, who is originally from mid Wales but has been living and surfing in Swansea for the last 10 years or so, took victory in the first competition of its kind to take place in Europe.
Tow surfing contests are usually only held in places like Hawaii where they regularly get enormous waves. They differ from usual surfing contests because the surfers are towed by jet skis onto waves that are ordinarily too big catch.
Amazingly Glyn, who usually practises in the much more moderately sized waves of Gower, finished in first place in the Irish National division with his Irish team mate Peter Conroy, and 2nd in the Open Division against ten other teams of Europe's best big wave surfers.
This is the first time, a Welsh surfer has been invited and competed at this international level, and to come home with such great results is a testament to all the training he has put in, and the support of the local surfing community.
Well done Glyn!
