“CHE LOVELACE WRITES TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SURFING HISTORY”

Over this past weekend, July 24th & 25th, the Surfing Association of Trinidad and Tobago (Surfing T&T) held its 2010 edition of the National Surfing Championships to determine National Champions in several divisions. In order to maximize the quality of the surfing conditions for its competitors, the event committee made a decision to hold the event at Roughside Beach, Balandra, making it the first time a National Championship Competition has been held at this location.

This decision proved to be a great call as Mother Nature provided very good quality surf and sunny weather at Balandra, a perfect stage for this country’s best surfers to battle for glory. Over two (2) days of high quality surfing, a total of 30 surfers challenged for 5 division titles: Open Mens, Juniors (U18), Masters (35+), Longboard, and Women.

At the end of an epic weekend of surfing it was clear that every person that witnessed the event, surfer and spectator alike, left the beach with one thing burned into their mind: “Che Lovelace Dominated!” He surfed in more heats than anyone and competed in 3 Divisions (Mens Open, Masters, & Longboard). He also had to surf through the Repercharge Round of the Mens Open in order to qualify to surf in the Final.

Over 2 days Che surfed in 12 heats, where his closest rival, Chris Dennis only surfed 6 heats. Most surfers would consider this a disadvantage for Che, arguing that he would peak early and be fatigued before the main event finals. To the contrary, by the time the Mens Open Final came about Che had the Waves and Conditions completely dialed in. He looked so comfortable in the surf that he made his fellow finalists, all of whom were from Balandra, look totally lost in their own home surf break.

Che’s performance was a culmination of years of dedication to the sport of surfing, both in its free form and competition, including a long hiatus from competition that has seen him return to competitive surfing with a new found focus and drive. Now in his early 40’s, not only is Che literally schooling the “Young Guns” of T&T Surfing, but he also continues to etch his name in Trinidad and Tobago Surfing History.

By winning the 2010 Open Mens category, Che now has six (6) Open Mens Nationals Titles. He has won 3 Juniors (U18) National Titles, one of which was at the same event as an Open Mens Title. He has now come full circle; having this year won an Open Mens National Title and a Masters (35+) National Title in the same event. The icing on the cake for Che this year was winning the Longboard National Title, making him the first surfer to ever secure National Titles in 3 Divisions at a local National Championships.

Over the years, members of the surfing fraternity in Trinidad and Tobago have consistently made the comparison of Che Lovelace to the International Surf Superstar and 9-Time world champion Kelly Slater. Many have affectionately referred to him as ‘Che Slater’ or ‘Trini Slater’. It is an easy comparison to make as they are both from the same era and they share the smooth, polished and very powerful surfing style.

If that’s not enough, Quiksilver Clothing and Al Merrick surfboards, both of which are Kelly Slaters lifetime sponsors, now officially support Che Lovelace Surfing. Finally, both Che Lovelace and Kelly Slater have won more titles than any other surfer in their realm of competition, setting numerous records along the way.

Official Results:

Open Mens:
1) Che Lovelace
2) Chris Dennis
3) Jesse Jarvis
4) Brian Ramcharan

Juniors:
1) Dario Jordan
2) Ian Ross-Scweiden
3) Mathew Milne
4) Craig de Freitas

Masters:
1) Che Lovelace
2) Sherrard Spiers
3) John Torrey

Longboard:
1) Che Lovelace
2) Sherrard Spiers
3) Amit Raval

Womens:
1) Jochelle Dasent
2) Tonya Sunkow