Skinner’s Brewery is celebrating the success of one of its official brand ambassadors, sponsored team rider Ben Skinner, at the World Surf League Men’s Longboarding Tour, in Noosa.
Ben (pictured), who Skinner’s sponsored to travel to the event, came fifth overall, falling just behind surfers from the US, Hawaii, and Australia. He was the highest ranked European by some distance.
Ben said: “I was so happy to get through to the quarter finals in this first event of the 2020 tour, and to have achieved a high ranking here in Queensland. It’s always fun to catch up with the crew on tour and share a few cans after all the hard work!”
Ben is the inspiration behind one of the family-owned brewery’s most popular brands, Porthleven Pale Ale, which is available on tap, in bottles, and in cans.
Porthleven is Ben’s favourite surf break in Cornwall, and where he began honing his world-class talents at the age of three. He was competing by the time he was 11.
The beer inspired by this journey of a home-brewed Cornish surfer to the international stage is described as ‘untameable’, with a fresh, modern, hoppy edge, and plenty of punchy citrus.
Skinner’s Brewery was founded by Steve Skinner in 1997. As a keen surfer himself, he chose Cornwall as the home of his business for the combination of waves, the family-friendly lifestyle, and the vibrant food and drink scene.
He never envisaged that both his son, Ben, and his grandson, 12-year-old Lukas Skinner, would become world-class surfers as a result of his decision.
Lukas is now winning titles in his own right (English under-12s for the last two years, and second in the under-18s UK Pro Tour last year). His talent has impressed many a seasoned-pro, and his dream is to compete at an Olympic Games.
Steve said: “Of course, there is a huge amount of personal pride in the achievements of Ben and Lukas, but it runs deeper than that. As a family brewery with deep roots in the South West’s surf culture, we are genuinely passionate about encouraging the next generation of British surfers to rise through the ranks, and supporting them to compete at the highest level.”
