In May, Surfing England had the opportunity to once again measure up against the world’s best juniors. At the 2024 ISA World Junior Championships, this time, in El Salvador. This was huge for Team England Juniors, supported by dryrobe.
12 of our brightest stars and 4 talented coaches jetted off to the central American pacific coastal paradise of Surf City El Salvador. 469 competitors from 56 countries were there to fight for the podiums. To set the scene, humidity neared 100% daily, and ocean temps of 32 degrees. The challenge was as much about staying hydrated and alive as it was being competitive.
The team were fantastic, they moved as a formidable force. Surfing together, blocking for each other (it was crowded on another level). And generally setting an example for other teams to follow. On multiple occasions we were complimented on how happy the kids were. How unified we looked as a team and how loud we were on the beach.
A 10-day event is like a marathon, and by the morning of day 8 we were looking incredible with 10 of the 12 juniors still in the running for a medal. Although we never ended that way, there were huge performances, and such great character shown by our boys and girls.
Some highlights included Georgie May, straight from a hospital bed to a first-round victory, Lukas opening heat with a 17 point total. Noah, Belle, Jago bouncing back hard in repechage. Noah Cerne showed true character fighting all the way till the death in his repo heat and clinching 2nd spot after the buzzer sounded. He received a hero’s welcome on the beach followed by the now standard Oggy Oggy Oggy! Lila gave warning she is not going to be in her brother’s shadow for long with a huge heat in the repechage, along with Sunny and Harlyn. These youngsters have years ahead of them and they are gaining huge ground with every event.
Through the event we had massive performances. Belle Betteridge dropped one of the highest wave scores of the entire event, Lauren Sandland was looking on target for the finals until the 2nd to last day. Lukas absolutely dominated every round with a straight shot to the final, clearly a favourite and standout of the contest.
When finals day dawned, it was only Lukas left standing, and the team rallied behind him. Screaming their lungs out as he advanced through to the final and an incredible 2nd place. He knew he deserved the gold, but the ocean had other plans, and he showed his class by congratulating the winner and holding his head high. He will lead England to victory soon enough.
England can be proud of their incredible team. And these talented coaches that sacrifice their time nothing other than the betterment of these juniors’ careers.
Karma Worthington, Emily Currie, Beau Bromham, and Ben Skinner were a fantastic unit that held this team together, guided them to the water’s edge and back for every heat. It was an incredible honour to be a part of it and I cant wait to watch each and everyone of these kids dominate on the world stage.
Thank you to Simon Nicholson for managing the Team out in El Salvador and for this excellent summary.
A huge thank you to dryrobe who support our Team England Juniors program. We are always on the look out for more sponsors of our incredible youth talent. Please get in touch to info@surfingengland.org if you are interested!
If you are an individual looking to support, join us for just £25 and become a member of Surfing England. We’re a not for profit and all funds go towards our operations and programs! Join us here.
