TIKI International hosted three genuine legends of the surf world as the International Shapers Tour 09 came to North Devon.
Board-shaping godfathers Bob McTavish and Steve Walden were joined by World Championship Tour veteran Richie Lovett on the only UK stop of the European trip. The guys arrived slightly jetlagged and headed straight to Tiki’s Caen Street store in Braunton to be greeted by fans and staff eager to grab a chat and discuss boards and set-ups. Boards were signed, photos snapped and the banter started to flow, as it did for the whole week. All the country’s surf press could be found in Woolacombe’s Bar Electric as interviews were given, pictures snapped and beer guzzled. “I love the beer you guys have over here,” said Californian longboard innovator Walden, praising the quality of our local ale before launching into a history of longboards followed by a glimpse of the future with talk of a jet-propelled board that aids your paddling — I’m sure it wasn’t the beer talking. Wednesday saw the tour head over to Putsborough for some head-high, clean, high-tide waves.
Riding a selection of their own boards, the guys proceeded to pick off the best of the waves.