In 2005 the inaugural Bude Surf Classic was only in it’s 3rd year in, but the growth of the contest has been remarkable. The contest has expanded from 50 competitors in 2003 to over 100 in 2005. Spectator size has also increased from around 300 in 2003 to 1,000 in 2005.

This is for a number of reasons:

• Surfing is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, and is viewed as
  the most fashionable sport on the planet.
• Broad range of people surf (this includes bodyboarding and longboarding)
  from young children (as young as 4) to retired people.
• There are no major surf contest between Newquay and Croyde, which is why
  the Bude Surf Classic is proving to be so popular.
• Venue is perfect for both competitors and spectators. Large viewing points which
  boosts some of the best surf conditions in the UK.
• Bude is a growth area with new housing schemes, hotel developments, and
  is attracting film crews from around the world.

In 2004 Bude Surf Classic attracted some major sponsors:

• Stewart Longboards – US based company, one of the original and biggest
  surfboard manufactures in the world
• Creatures of Leisure – Australian based company, one of the biggest surf
  accessories companies in the world, sponsoring the biggest names in surfing.
• Body Glove – one of the biggest and first wetsuit companies in the world and
  has been in operation since 1953.
• Wavelength – top UK based surf magazine, official media sponsors,
  owned by Devon and Cornwall Media

In 2005 sponsors included:

• Saab - one of the biggest car companies in the world
• Salomon - one of the biggest Ski and upcoming surf companies on the planet
• NSP - most popular surfboard company in the world

2005 attracted big names in surfing like:

• Ruebyn Ash – European Junior Champion
• Ben Skinner - British Longboard Champion
• Tom Butler – British Junior Champion
• Kris Inch – British Bodyboarding Champion

So, what do you get when sponsoring the event?

1. Large logo on t-shirt which is given to all competitors, sold at the event, in the Surf Spot surf shop in Bude and online at www.surfspot.co.uk
2. Logo on poster which I distributed to every major surf shop in the UK with particularly heavy coverage in Newquay, Bude and Croyde
3. Coverage on the designated Bude Surf Classic website - this will include brief write up on what your company is about and link to your website
4. Banners and marquees at the Widemouth Bay car park (for sponsor to provide). For example, in 2005 Saab bought down their top 3 convertible cars, plasma screens, telescopes, surf simulator and over 30 banners.
5. The event also gets coverage on both local news channels (BBC and ITV), Radio, teletext, major surfing websites, all local newspapers (across Devon and Cornwall) and surfing magazines