From the first BLU To Today. Meet The Team
The British Longboard Union would like to thank everyone that has been involved with the tour since its very first one. From our sponsors, beach marshalls, water safety teams, and judges. The BLU tour wouldn’t have a such rich history if it wasn’t for you.
Here’s to many more years. Meet the current team below.
Bob Freshwater
Head Judge
Years at BLU: 23 years
Qualifications: SA Level 3 HJ. BSA & ETL HJ
Home surf break: Teignmouth & South Devon
Interests outside of surfing?
Farming, music, songwriting & performing
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
We have witnessed a cycle from traditional logging through to radical progressive longboarding over the past 20 years. Rails, tails, fins, and lengths have varied and have pushed the boundaries but I hope that longboarding in 2030 will still have value, grace and style alongside the more progressive elements.
Minnow Green
Contest Director
Years at BLU:
Qualifications:
Home surf break:
Interests outside of surfing?
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
Norman Wright
Head Judge
Years at BLU: Over 25
Qualifications: ISA Level Three since 2010
Home surf break: Saunton Sands – North Devon
Interests outside of surfing?
I am a Head Judge @ Surf Kayak – I also enjoy Waveski, Longboard, SUP, Kitesurf , Shortboard, Bodysurf & Belly Boarding.
I have also been the President of Hotdoggers Longboard Club for 26ish years .
Where do you see longboarding in 2030? In the ocean
Graham Taplin
Judge
Years at BLU: 10
Qualifications: ISA Level Three
Home surf break: Sandy Mouth / Bude
Interests outside of surfing?
Bude Surf Life Saving and sea swimming.
Where do you see longboarding in 2030? I hope the criteria as it is now will still be used.
Joanne Hillman
Judge
Years at BLU: Over 10
Qualifications: ISA Level Three since 2010
Home surf break: Fistral Beach, Cornwall
Interests outside of surfing?
biking, running, swimming, walking, SUP & nature.
Where do you see longboarding in 2030? The future is bright.
James McGregor
Judge
Years at BLU: 9
Qualifications: ISA Level Three since 2010
Home surf break: Langland Bay
Interests outside of surfing?
Hiking and boxing
Where do you see longboarding in 2030? Becoming an Olympic sport.
Steve Adams
Judge
Years at BLU: 2 (8 years as a judge)
Qualifications: ISA Level Three since 2010
Home surf break: Woolacombe, Devon
Interests outside of surfing?
Biking, running and walking.
Where do you see longboarding in 2030? bigger and better. More inclusion of “all” manoeuvers, not just traditional longboarding.
Chris Levi
BLU Videographer
Years at BLU: 10+
Qualifications: Can hold a camera for ten hours a day.
Home surf break: Holywell Bay
Interests outside of surfing?
Caring for the elderly
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
In the sea
Garry Collins
Judge
Years at BLU: 2
Qualifications: ISA Level Three since 2010
Home surf break: Towan
Interests outside of surfing?
Travel, swimming, biking and enjoying life.
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
Longboarding is becoming ever more popular as the worldwide surfing community increases in numbers and ages. It’s making a huge comeback and rightfully so. The more traditional designs along with the latest technology will allow for all traditional longboarding techniques to be taken to new levels in the coming years.
Ben Hartley
Photographer
Years at BLU: 1
Qualifications: avoiding surfboards
Home surf break: Godrevy
Interests outside of surfing?
Freediving, skating, camping and training
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
In bigger waves!
Tony Clarke
Head Beach Marshall
Years at BLU: 24
Home surf break: Chapel Porth, Uluwatu & Birmingham(?)
Interests outside of surfing?
Fishing &surfboat rowing.
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
I see longboarding going from strength to strength in the coming years, since being involved with the BLU, I’ve seen the sport grow in a way that I would have never envisaged 24 years ago.
We currently have such a wide repertoire of world-class longboarders here in the UK, that it’s hard not to see us producing a world champion by 2030.
Richard Davies
Media Slave
Years at BLU: 10
Qualifications: Cycling Proficiency, 10m Swimming Badge
Home surf break: Droskyn 3rd reef
Interests outside of surfing?
Filling in questionnaires
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
In the sea, almost definitely.
Nathan Benham
Water & Drone Photographer
Years at BLU: 4
Home surf break: Fistral
Interests outside of surfing?
Swimming, photography.
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
Andrew Whitworth
Beach Marshal
Years at BLU: 10
Home surf break: Aggie
Interests outside of surfing?
Most sports
Where do you see longboarding in 2030?
About where it is now.
Tim Aylett
International Judge
Years at BLU: many & ISA level 3 judge
Home surf break: Porthcawl, Wales
Interests outside of surfing?
Technical director at Refresh Technology scoring systems UK