Team England victorious at the GB Cup in Jersey with wins in every division
With a banging surf forecast and a bunch of talent, Team England travelled to Jersey to compete in the 2024 GB cup organised by GB Surfing. This annual event crowns the British Champion in the Open and U18 divisions as well as the Team GB Cup.
The squad contained reigning British Open Champions Stanley Norman and Lauren Sandland, and having won the team GB Cup for the last two events spirits, and expectations, were high. Unfortunately, injuries and the change in date robbed the squad of three of our surfers. Belle Betteridge (Womens open and U18s) and Arran Strong (Mens Open) both had to withdraw due to injury and Georgie-May Hicks (U18 Girls) had to pull out due to clash with exams. I am sure we will see all of them representing England again very soon!
This gave the opportunity for Lila Skinner to step up to compete in both the Open Womens at only 14 (having already qualified for the U18s), Arthur Randell double up in the mens events, and Sunny Ingram and Ocearna Peres (her first time representing Team England) join the U18 Girls squad.
Jersey greeted the team with pumping waves and sunny skies. After a grey start Ooh my days it didn’t disappoint with locals calling it best day this year, proper waves for days.
Team England took full advantage of the conditions putting on a display of progressive, aggressive surfing in the Open Event. Lukas Skinner and Stanley Norman powered into the final with an amazing display of power and aerial surfing. Lukas took a well deserved first British Championship with an amazing display. He was on fire throughout with eight of the top 10 scoring waves in the mens event. Stan was close behind finishing in 4th place, but only 0.3 off second.
In the Womens Open England dominated from start to finish. Lauren Sandland winning her second British Title in an all English final. In fact England occupied the top six positions in the Womens Open. An amazing display of surfing from all and a pleasure to watch!
However there was no rest for our new British Champions as they were both competing in the U18s as well. This was another display of amazing progressive surfing. Once again Lukas and Lauren reached the finals with both adding the U18 titles to their Open crowns. They were joined in the finals by Arthur Randell and Lila Skinner who both pushed their compatriots hard to finish second.
It came as no surprise that England were crowned as the GB cups champions once again, with Wales and Channel Islands pushing us hard in second and Third.
Its always a pleasure to compete against our nearest neighbours, and we look forward to defending our titles in Scotland in 2025!
