BUDE Surf Life Saving Club’s Masters, Youth and Nippers sections have been involved in their respective categories at the National Surf Life Saving Championships this month at Holywell Bay, near Newquay.

The Masters were looking to defend their title, which they’ve won for the last two years, on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13.

However, the members realised that the competition would be tough, with a number of other teams having strengthened their squads to try and challenge the high levels of excellence the Bude team have set in recent times.

After two days of tough competition, in very variable surf conditions, Bude achieved a superb haul of 50 medals, which included 13 golds, 22 silvers and 15 bronzes.

However, this year the North Cornwall club had to settle for the runners-up slot, just being pipped at the post by a very good Holywell Bay side, who were blessed with a large squad and extra knowledge of the home conditions.

Both Holywell Bay and Bude were well ahead of the other teams in the competition, which included 20 other teams from all over Great Britain, as they finished on 2,124 and 1,721 points respectively.

Although unsuccessful in defending their title, the team proved that by finishing in second place, the club has incredible talent within, who, when working as a team, are still as strong as ever.

Bude’s Youth section also competed in the Surf Life Saving Great Britain Youth Open Championships, which were also held at Holywell Bay on Tuesday, August 15 and Wednesday, August 16.

Despite a small entry of members, Bude managed to pick up seven medals, which included one gold for Ella Henry-Brock in the under 15s beach sprint, two silver and four bronze to finish 17th out of the 26 clubs that entered.

Bude’s Nippers also competed in the Nipper Ocean Championships at Holywell Bay on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 and brought home two medals with 13-year-old Matt Hopper winning gold in the beach flags event and a silver in the beach sprint.

Bude Nippers chairman, Andy Davis, said: “We had a number of great individual and team performances which helped contribute to the overall team score.

“Just as importantly, all the Nippers tried extremely hard in the very challenging conditions with most coming out the other end smiling which is a credit to themselves and the club.

“All the Nippers and coaches should be proud of the progress they have made and we will look to improve and build on this in the future."

For anyone who has been inspired and would like to join or find out more information about the club and its primary role of helping support the lifeguards on the local beaches, visit www.budeslsc.co.uk