Competitions, Junior

Junior Series 2023: A Coaches Perspective

November 1, 2023

Surf Coaching in Scotland

For the past three years, I’ve been coaching our latest group of local junior surfers from North Berwick and Dunbar. In fact, this is now the third generation of young surfers I’ve helped coach over the last fifteen years.

The idea behind our surf coaching in Scotland programme has always been simple. We take a small group of motivated juniors and invest time and energy into their development. That includes building surf skills, encouraging confidence, and helping them grow as people.

Just as importantly, we want to create a supportive community around them. Over time, many of these young surfers become positive ambassadors for the sport and help inspire the next generation.

The Third Generation of Surfers

This latest group actually came together by accident.

My daughter Clover was part of the second generation of our junior team. She felt she had gained so much from the experience that she wanted to give something back.

Through surfing she travelled to Morocco and Ireland for competitions, became a national champion, made lifelong friends, and eventually built a career in the surf industry. Most importantly, she discovered a healthy and positive lifestyle built around the ocean.

During her gap year she suggested starting a junior club and asked if I would help. Around the same time we met several supportive parents whose kids had stood out during lessons.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Clover later went on to study at Dundee Art College, where she now captains the Dundee University Surf Club.

Three years into the programme, I’m incredibly proud of how this group of surfers is progressing. Our team now includes talented surfers aged between 12 and 17 years old.

surf coaching in Scotland — Young Tam taking the under 14yrs title at Sandend and 2nd place in the series. (Photo Mal Anderson)

Surfing Competitions

Surf competitions usually involve 15–20 minute heats where surfers aim to catch the best waves available.

Judges score surfers based on their manoeuvres. These can range from basic turns to advanced moves such as airs, barrels, and nose rides on longboards.

However, competition surfing is about more than just the waves. There is also a lot of strategy involved. Surfers need fitness, preparation, good equipment choices, and a bit of luck.

As a coach, my job is to guide the team through all of these challenges during training and competitions.

Personally, I’ve been fortunate enough to win national competitions and compete against some of the best surfers in the world. I’ve experienced both great performances and difficult moments under pressure.

Those lessons are something I try to pass on to the team. When the highs and lows of competition inevitably happen, it’s important that they feel supported.

Junior Competition Results – 2023

Here are some of the standout results from our Belhaven Surf Club juniors during the 2023 national events.

(These are their top achievements, including national competitions and Junior Series results.)

Joel Christopherson (12)
2nd – U12 Junior Series 2023
2nd – U12 Mixed Nationals 2023

Alphie Pugh (12)
4th – U12 Mixed Nationals 2023

Rosie Moore (13)
2nd – U14 Girls Junior Series 2023
2nd – U14 Girls Nationals 2023

Freya Pilarski (13)
4th – U14 Girls Nationals 2023

Tam Hood (13)
2nd – U14 Boys Junior Series 2023
4th – U14 Boys Nationals 2023

Ansel Parkin (14)
1st – U14 Boys Junior Series 2023
1st – U14 & U16 Boys Nationals 2023

Sylvie Christopherson (15)
4th – U18 Girls Gathering of Clans
4th – Lowland Longboard Ladies

Charlie Pugh (15)
1st – U16 Boys Junior Series 2023
3rd – U18 Boys Nationals 2023

Ebon Parkin (16)
2nd – U18 Boys Junior Series 2023

Quentin Hay (17)
1st – U18 Lowland Longboard 2023

Joel Carleton (17)
3rd – U18 Junior Series 2023

This list doesn’t include Rudi Johnston, who won both the U12 Series and Nationals in 2022. Young Sam (travel commitments) and Enzo (injury) also missed the competitions this year.

Scottish Junior Team Selection

Two of our surfers have also achieved something special this year.

Ansel Parkin and Charlie Pugh have both been selected for the Scottish Junior Team competing at the World Championships in Brazil.

A Strong Year for Scottish Junior Surfing

Overall, it has been a very strong year for the team. Success in competitions has spread across the group and helped motivate everyone.

Scottish junior surfing is currently at the highest level it has ever been. Surfers from places like Fraserburgh and Thurso are now winning British junior titles and reaching finals in major European competitions such as the Grom Search.

Because of that, the fact our young surfers are holding their own nationally is something we’re very proud of.

Looking ahead, the opening of the Lost Shore Surf Resort at Ratho in September 2024 could be a game changer. It will be the largest inland wave park in Northern Europe and will give Scottish juniors consistent waves to train on.

This could help the next generation of surfers reach levels we’ve never seen before in Scotland.

More Than Just Competition

For me, competition results are not the final goal. Instead, they are simply part of the journey.

What matters most is the experience these young surfers gain. The ocean teaches resilience, respect, and connection with nature.

Through surfing they travel, make friends, and develop confidence. They also learn about safety, coaching, and environmental awareness.

Ultimately, I hope they become the next generation of talented surfers and coastal ambassadors.

How to Join the Junior Team

The Belhaven Surf Club Junior Team brings together some of the most talented young surfers in East Lothian and Edinburgh.

To join the team, surfers need to:

Be available for regular Friday training sessions
Show commitment to competing in surf competitions
Demonstrate strong surfing ability and dedication

Our coaches assess surfers in several ways. This might include watching video clips, seeing them progress in Coast to Coast lessons, or observing them at local competitions.