Double success for Mark Boyd in the Scottish National Surfing Championships
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Thurso-based surfer Mark Boyd (35) won the men's champion title as well as the masters at the Scottish National Surfing Championships held in Caithness at the weekend.
It certainly was a weekend of excitement as the competition unfolded out at Brims Ness. Boyd, a member of the North Shore Surfing Club, made a little mistake in the semi final which put the pressure on – everything was down to the wire and in the last few seconds of the heat he was able to take advantage of a good wave.
"It was quite exciting," he said. "To do that under pressure – I was really happy with myself." In the final Boyd had one really good score which put him into an early lead and he felt quite comfortable. His finishing score was 11.25.
Taking the runner-up spot on the podium with a narrow margin of just 0.1 points (11.15) was the reigning champion, local young surfer Craig McLachlan. Craig, made history last November when, at 16-years-old, he became the youngest surfer to take the open title. The event is usually held in April each year but in 2021 it was held seven months later due to Covid.
Boyd, who won the men's title in 2018 and 2019, said: "It was a good competition with young Craig – he is surfing really well."
Competing in the masters for the first time Boyd was up against the reigning champ Mark Cameron from Broch Surf Club, Fraserburgh. Boyd finished on 16.17 points, while Cameron was the runner-up with a score of 13.73.
The local surfer said taking part in the two different championships meant he was doing twice as many heats and he found it quite tiring. Commenting on the masters final he said: "Mark Cameron got off to a good start – that put me into a panic, putting pressure on. I then got a good score and was in the lead."
Overall he said it had been a great weekend with competitors enjoying warm, sunny weather. "We had really good waves down at Brims, specially on the final day," said Boyd. "A big thank you to Mr Peter Oag, the farmer, for letting us have the event on his land."
He added: "I was delighted to get the title back and really enjoyed competing again with the younger generation coming through. It's nice to make a comeback, and to put my name on the list of others who have taken the double title."
At the presentation evening in the Pentland Hotel on Sunday night, Boyd dedicated his win to Iain Masson who died in February following a lengthy battle with leukaemia. This year's event was in memory of the 56-year old from St Combs in Aberdeenshire – a seven times Scottish National Open Men’s Champion who was recognised as a pioneer of the sport in Scotland.
"He was a great inspiration to all of us when we were younger, so it was extra special taking the win in memory of him this year," said Boyd.
He's not sure yet what fixtures will definitely be on this year but hopes to go to the British Championships in Wales.
Taking the women's title for the second time in a row was local surfer Phoebe Strachan of NSSC on 12.16 points, with fellow club member Iona McLachlan second on a score of 8.04.
The longboards championship was won by Sam Christopherson of Bellhaven Surf Club (BHSC), 13.03 points, with Chris Clarke, of NSSC second on 11.73 points.
Thurso East is generally the prime spot for the championships which run over three days, however, it depends on the weather forecast and on this occasion the event had to move out to Brims Ness.
