Club looks to upskill junior surfers into competitors

Tuesday 01 August 2023

Young and talented surfers in Guernsey are being called to participate in a new development scheme to hopefully turn them into professional competitors later in life.

The Guernsey Surf Club has launched a new program aimed at established junior surfers in partnership with the Channel Islands Surfing Federation and GB Surfing.

It comes as the British surfing world looks to find the next generation of athletes to compete in competitions from as small as the local to as large as the Olympics.

It has created a surfing development program to achieve this which includes the Channel Islands.

The Club have now created ‘Grom Squads’ which includes four training sessions fortnightly on Sundays through August and September, with a competition at the end.

Tim Gaudion, President of the Club, told Express that those who show promise and want to continue could eventually progress into the local team, the Channel Islands team, and the British team.

A local surf coach, Ben Relph, will be on hand to help deliver the training

Pictured: Young surfers have the chance to improve their skills this summer. Credit: Guernsey Surf Club. 

The initiative is not to be confused with the Guernsey Surf School, however, as entries will be limited to those looking to upskill and push themselves.

“This is for competent, talented young surfers and bringing their existing skills forward,” Mr Gaudion said.

He added that there are already several “really talented” youngsters in the island who are ripe to move to the next level and have already shown a strong interest in the new scheme.

Part of the training will be preparing participants for the mental aspects of competition such as heats, Mr Gaudion said.

Training dates are subject to change based on weather and surf conditions, but participants will be notified of any alterations.

More information is available online.