British junior surfers begin winter training in preparation for the World Junior Surfing Games

Jack Butler and Matt Burner pushing themselves HARD, with help from The University of Plymouth
(pictures courtesy of Jason at dailysurf.net and Chris from POWERbreathe)

While it's coming to the end of the season for most British surfers - the British junior squad begin their pre-contest training in preperation for the World Junior Surfing Games (WJSG) in Portugal next May. Whilst many of us are getting tucked up warm at home - the 'grommets' will be squeezing into wetsuits, hoods and gloves, surfing all through the cold British winter to be on top form for next year! Following the recent 9th place success of their senior counterparts at the World Surfing Games in California, the juniors are hoping to continue the rise of British surfers on the global stage. The International Surfing Association (ISA), surfing's world governing authority, holds the World Junior Surfing Games every year for ISA’s member nations. Historically, the World Surfing Games grants its winners the title of “World Champion”. The ISA World Junior Surfing Games is also one of the largest events in competitive surfing and it is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The training campaign began in October, in half-term week, when squad members from all over the country travelled to Newquay for a 4 day training camp.
The surfers were training with the some of best and most experienced surf coaches in the U.K. and the focus was on key areas of athlete development; Technique, fitness, tactics, psychology and nutrition. The surfers also undertook a series of Fitness / Physiological tests carried out by a team from the University of Plymouth led by University Lecturer, Mr. Matthew Barlow. The tests featured the use of a purpose built machine to allow the surfers to perform a simulated paddling exercise, which is specific for surfers as a treadmill test is for runners. This was designed to test their VO2 maximum, and help design their future training program. Further tests measured other components of fitness which are important for surfing performance; such as balance and power.

“Physiologically speaking, the surfers performed very well and gave their full effort to all the tests. We can now use the results from these tests to inform optimal training regimes which will hopefully help to maximize the teams performance at the World Surfing Games.” says Matthew Barlow.

On the 2nd and 3rd of December the surfers will once again travel to Newquay's Fistral Beach for the next squad training session. Photo opportunities here - they'll be wrapped up warm in wetsuit hoods + gloves + boots - come rain or shine or even snow. Nothing's going to stop these kids!

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