|
Quarter final spot secures title for Headworx rider
Headworx surfer and season-long tour leader Reubin Pearce became BPSA Tour Champion at the weekend with a solid performance to secure a place in the quarter finals of the Newquay Open.
And although that’s as far as Reubin went in the event at Fistral, his nearest rival Mark Harris was eliminated by Pearce’s on-form Headworx team-mate Matt Capel at the same point of the competition. With no-one else within striking distance, Pearce’s quarter-final finish was enough to guarantee first place on the 2005 Tour and earned him his first BPSA tour title.
It’s been an outstanding year for the 23-year-old Newquay-based surfer, who joined an all-new Headworx rider team at the beginning of the season. Since then he has put the frustration of runner-up results in previous years behind him to hit a run of outstandingly consistent form, ending the year with an impressive 5151 points out of a potential 6500.
Reubin’s winning run began in the Channel Islands, taking the Jersey Open - his very first BPSA win - after finishing 3rd in the Croyde event and reaching the semi-finals of the Lusty Glaze Night Surf. This win proved to be critical as the 3* Jersey event held the largest points haul of the tour. Bursting with confidence and surfing brilliantly the Headworx man took Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka by storm with a powerful display of backhand snaps to take the coveted BPSA Champion of Champions Title.
He then placed well at the Scottish Open and at the Headworx Welsh Open before winning again at the Isle Of Wight Pro to leave his nearest rival, Mark Harris, needing a convincing win in the final event to steal his crown. In the end, it took a solid performance from Reubin and a stroke of teamwork from up-and-coming Headworx young gun Matt Capel to secure a climactic conclusion to a long and hard-fought season.
Matt went on to finish 4th in the weekend’s event – making it an outstanding two finals out of four for him on the BPSA senior circuit. At 19 years of age, Matt still has two years of Junior surfing ahead of him. “It was great for me to be in amongst it, but we’re all stoked for Reubs,” said Matt. “He’s earned his title this year and it’s good to have him in the team.”
Reubin was delighted with the result. “To be the champion feels amazing. I really felt like I raised my game this season, and I worked hard to keep consistency throughout the contests. Winning my first event in Jersey was really special and it really lifted my spirits to take on the competition.”
“Having the support of Headworx as sponsors this year really helped too.” said Reubin. “Knowing that they were investing in my career gave me the confidence to take my surfing forward and win the title. It was tough with so many talented surfers now competing on these shores, but I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.
Despite needing some time to recover from the winner’s celebrations, Reubin promises to be back “stronger and fitter than ever” next year to defend his crown as he attempts to become the first surfer to successfully retain a BPSA title. With the confidence he has now found, few would bet against him.
Caption: Reubin Pearce’s powerful style has made him BPSA Tour Champion.
Image: Headworx/Kirstin Prisk
Select more news from the news item menu
|
