Lewis, Layson crowned surfing champs in US

Bajan junior surfers Ras Menelik Lewis and Tommy Layson dominated the junior divisions at the 61st Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships held in Virginia Beach, USA.

Competing in the 11 and Under age group, the 10-year-old Lewis won all his heats leading up to the final with dynamic surfing that put him far ahead of the other competitors in his 11 and under age group, including 360s and floaters that stunned his opponents.

Such was Lewis’ dominance that in the final he outscored his opponents by almost 10 clear points making it near impossible for them to catch up.

In the 12 to 14 age group, the 14-year-old Layson won the title for the second year in a row.

Layson led the heat from the beginning with a 6 and a 7.17 to score 13.17 compared to his nearest competitor, Florida’s Luke Lopez who scored 10.50. In the same division, Barbados’ Ras Tafari Lewis,13, and 12-year-old Daniel Banfield also impressed with both of them advancing to the semi-finals to finish equal fifth.

Ras Menelik Lewis is lifted after capturing the 11 and Under title. (Photo compliments BSA)

Layson also produced an impressive showing in the Open men’s division where he finished fourth.

He wasn’t done just yet, as Layson also came a commendable 13th at the same venue where the World Surf League held a men and women’s Pro QS (qualifying series) 1000 contest for the North American region, surfing his way from the round of 96 to the round of 16 against much older and more experienced surfers.

The event also saw a good performance from Barbados’ Chelsea Roett in the WSL QS women’s pro where she finished 13th. 

Other commendable performances came from Ocean Gittens and Daniel Banfield in the Men’s Pro Division. Gittens advanced in his first heat landing an incredible air reverse, but fell short in the next round putting him out of the event, while Banfield also advanced to the round of 64 which was an exciting achievement for the keen 12 year old. (PR)