Wells surfs off to Arugambay

TORBAY surfer Gary Wells is preparing to compete in his first ever UK Pro Surf Tour Champion of Champions contest in Sri Lanka later this month.

Wells, 25, qualified for the Arugam Bay finals after claiming a top 30 place in the 2008 tour, and will head out to compete alongside the country’s top surfers.

“It involves surfing with the locals in the early rounds, through to the finals where there’s A?2,000 for the winner,” he said.

“The top 30 in the 2008 tour qualify to go out there, and I finished 26th.

“I’m surfing the tour again this year and I’m 13th after the first event. Next up it’s the Night Surf at Newquay this Friday.

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“I’ve surfed in Sri Lanka before, but never for this competition.

“It’s on the east coast and it’s not been run for the last few years due to the troubles out there.

“The last time I qualified to go there was the year it was first postponed, so I’m excited to go now it’s up and running again.”

Apprentice carpenter Wells, who has been surfing for 15 years, has just been taken on by KB Construction, and has praised his new employers for their support in allowing him the time off to compete.

He had been midway through the first year of his carpentry apprenticeship, studying part time at South Devon College for an NVQ Level 1, when he was laid off due to a lack of work.

But with the help of Constructionskills, the UK’s Sector Skills Council for construction, he was quickly fitted up with a new placement.

Wells said he was indebted to the support from new boss Karl Benson, and also surf sponsors The Realm, Globe and LSD Surfboards.

He has surfed all over the world including Australia, the Maldives and South Africa, but lists Lakey Peak in Indonesia as his favourite spot.

“The accommodation is reasonable and the waves you get there are of a high quality, so that’s exactly what you’re looking for,” he added.