JERSEY’S Clint Loake won the Drop-Knee Open 2008 at Kempt Tower in St Ouen’s Bay at the weekend.

Loake fought off a strong challenge from French bodyboarder Olivier Brosson to win the Alvin’s Hot Stuff Pizza sponsored event in 3-4ft light onshore surf.

The first semi-final was contested by Colin Laurent, Brosson and Colin Crowther. Crowther found a long right on his backhand, followed by a threesixty and re-entry on a left to eliminate one of the pre contest favourites Laurent, who missed out on finding the better shaped waves. The heat was won by the smooth riding of Brosson.

Semi two saw Loake, De La Mare and junior David Speller paddle south towards a good left hand sandbank offering slightly bigger waves. In a close heat it was Speller and the ripping Loake, who advanced through to the final.

The final saw fewer but more powerful waves on a shallower sandbank. The final developed into a close battle between Loake and Brosson, who both ride with very different styles. Brosson surfed with a slick finely tuned style, performing carving turns on both his back-hand and fore-hand, whilst Loake pulled his usually fast snappy turns and threesixties. A big re-entry on a right-hander eventually seperated the two, giving Loake the win.

Speller found a few nice lefthanders to take third spot ahead of Crowther in 4th..