Two young Dunbar surfers Joel (14yrs) and Rosie (15yrs) and parents Erica and Sam travelled to Lima, Peru In December 2025 to represent Scotland at the Junior ISA World Surfing Championships.
Training in Scotland’s Winter
With Rosie and Joel both picked as wild cards and amongst the youngest of the original team, they were heading to Peru to gain experience at an international level.
Both Rosie and Joel are from the Belhaven Surf club and head coach Sam offered to create a 6 week programme to prepare the juniors for Peru. The plan included :
- a swim programme (breadth holding
- stamina and speed) skateboarding with SPACE at the Mart
- inland wave pool training at Lost Shore
- Surfing locally in a range of conditions
- Thurso surf trip
- Feedback and video analysis at Belhaven Surf Centre.
And the local surf community was awesome supporting the kids at two big events, a pub quiz and sauna and dip at the Belhaven surf centre! And thanks to all those that supported the fundraiser.
Peru
The travel to Peru included two flights, one to Amsterdam and then a 12 hour flight from Amsterdam to Peru. It is a long way but fascinating with Joel awe struck particularly by Brazil and the Amazon Rainforest. As we flew over you don’t realise how vast an area it is, travelling for over an hour in aeroplane at 500mph+ with only trees and rivers. Then “ the mountains in the clouds” as we climbed over the peaks of the Andes at 22,000 feet and down towards Lima and our final destination.
As we walked through the airport it was some welcome with Latino bands and dancing before moving into the warm evening heat and taxi journey to Punta Hermosa, driving is literally insane in Lima.
Breakfast and coffees were overlooked by friendly vultures on the rooftop. An hour later we met Juano, soon to become all of our best friend, a super energetic young Peruvian coach and world class surfer who had agreed to be our guide and help coach our national team. Juano was amazing, literally knew everyone, we couldn’t pass a shop or a taxi or surfer without saying hi!
Joel and Rosie paddled out with Juano at the competition break for the first surf of the trip while we were introduced to Juano’s dad who had travelled 40 minutes just to come say hi and hang out with us……its that kind of place…..everyone has time for you and conversation.
It became clear that Peru is an epic location for surfing, its open to consistent long distance swell from the southern seas around Antarctica but also gets swell from the North Pacific that hits Hawaii. The swell is groomed, with 12-18 second period being the norm and our competition location at Punta Rocas was aswell magnifier providing world class right and left waves breaking for hundreds or metres.
The local surf culture is everywhere too. So many smiles, crazy driving and cool places to eat and drink. Surfing is for all ages and its as common to see a super stoked grom as a charger in his 70’s. The breaks we surfed in our training week ranged from epic powerful lefts, to super friendly playful reef break A-frames.
Every day the low lying cloud would start the day, with the sun breaking through later afternoon, the place had a dreamlike quality, especially when the clouds lifted and the beautiful coastline with coves, cliffs, the desert and the Andes could be seen.
Competition Preparation Peru Style
As the competition grew closer, so did the number of teams arriving from all over the world – it became very clear that the standard was incredible. It was actually a real privilege being in the water when the Hawaiian, Spanish and Peruvian teams paddled out. The technique, confidence, speed and flow, you just realise how good the worlds elite are in our sport.
Our two kids embraced and both stepped up in the competitive training environment
Juano produced a perfectly balanced training program for the week we had in advance of competition and we shared quieter sessions on world class waves and exposure to the competition venue and the elite standards and crowds. Our juniors were improving daily.
Peru is alive with wildlife everywhere. Running off the harbour rocks to jump in for a surf with crabs scattering away, paddling through pools of fish (literally touching on every paddle stroke), seeing big sea lions surface in the line up or be dive bombed by Pelicans. The returning run up the hot beaches accompanied by lizards. It was so cool and our kids settled into the laid back vibe of Punta Hermosa and the bigger longer period surf. The competition was about to start and the forecast due to jump to very big over the weekend…..welcome to the Worlds Championships.
Opening Ceremony
All the International competitions have a parade before the competition start. All the teams line up together and walk to the opening ceremony venue, out chanting each other and coming up with novel ideas for entertainment. My personal favourite was the Slovakians that brought a Karaoke machine and played their local folk songs on repeat. It normally involved insane yelping, it didn’t take long for the Scotland team to join in with their new friends ! Joel and Rosie carried a large Scotland flag and sand from Belhaven – it’s a nice idea where all country teams present their sand at the opening ceremony.
Competition
Juano brought routine to our juniors, preparation and positivity.
Day 1 – Friday U16 Boys Heat 1
Joel was first up and the waves were looking super nice – a bit overhead and he was on podium 2. He got a great first wave for him, a great stylish cutback and then a really critical top turn that was landed.
Unfortunately this is world level and this great wave scored 3.7 out of 10, his second wave he fell on and scored a 1.9 – finishing with a 5.6 total. We were super stoked for him as the way he surfed was beyond expectations and the one proper wave he got showed potential to be competitive – although the two kids that qualified from two wave heat scores of 9.
Not making the top two puts you in the repocharge – a second chance for competitors to progress back into the main event. Especially useful if you have a hard heat. As it turned out Joel’s heat was average for the worlds at that level in the boys U16yrs with an 8.9 average combined score needed to make round 2. This was up by over 2 points from Brazil world championships showing the general performance rise throughout the world in 2 years.
Day 2 The arrival of the big seas!!
The next two days the ocean just got bigger and bigger. It’s a big responsibility as a dad/ coach balancing risk and reward especially at this level as the juniors are talented but the sea is powerful and unpredictable.
Joel paddled out in the huge surf and gave it a proper shot catching two of the biggest waves of his life. Even the live streamed commentator saying there is a young flying Scotsman – as Joel air dropped a wave three times his height to a crumpled conclusion. Unfortunately his score reflected his inexperience and he failed to qualify but he had survived moving into the U18 Repocharge.
Rosie U18 heat was crazy, with the swell peaking for her first heat, she was in podium two. Podium two is slightly smaller but that heat saw large sets roll through, clearing the line up a few times a heat, it was tough on all the girls.
Day 3 Still huge
Both Rosie (U18yrs) rep and U16 heat and Joel (U16) reps where all run in really big surf. Unfortunately both our surfers despite really good attempts failed to adapt to the tactics needed to successfully compete with the worlds best. Both getting caught out mainly by positioning and big sets.
We have to thank the England and Irish teams and in particular Ben Skinner for their support. Ben in particular took time out to give both Joel and Rosie some great competition advice and feedback.
Day 4 Swell dropping – one chance each left
It finally dropped to head and a half swell in the morning. First up was Joel in the U18 rep, his last chance. Joel was up against top French, Canadian and Dutch surfers at under 18’s. He started really well with a great score and backed it up with a good second wave. His combined score of 6.7 was in a qualifying position in 2nd place. That was until 2 minutes to go when the Canadian got just enough to score a 7.5 combined total and joined the French with 10.8 to go through. It was a nail biter. Super proud of our young man.
Joel at 14yrs was surfing two years down at U16 and four years at U18yrs. However, he showed that he’s not far away from competing at this level. His two best combined totals of 6.7 and 5.6 (with best single waves of 3.8 and 3.7) show a lot of potential.
Next up was Rosie, the swell had dropped to near perfect head high conditions by the evening. Rosie looked confident and went out with one of England’s best junior girls in the Under 16 Rep. They were to be joined by an Israel surfer. Rosie started the heat with a great four turn wave – her best wave of the competition -perhaps ever.
She backed it up almost immediately with another really good second wave. Rosie continued to surf well and was leading the heat right up to two minutes to go. The young English girl got a great last wave and pipped Rosie to first with 9.2 combined. Rosie was through to the second round with a great 7.9 combined score – a major achievement!!!
Her score was one of the best ever by any Scottish female junior in world championship competition! Everything clicked and Rosie’s smile reflected the moment! We were over the moon, Erica had a tear in her eye, even a local Peruvian security guard wanted a selfie!
Day 5 we had no competitors competing
But still celebrating having Rosie in the event.
Day 6 the swell lined up and perfect
Perfect shoulder high surf on podium 2 and a long peeling left greeted Rosie for her next round. No heat is easy at world champs level but in the second round it jumps another gear – you are now against the worlds best surfing countries. Rosie was up against girls from Peru, Panama and India. Even the Indian was a rip curl Asian champion – it’s really top standard.
Rosie started really well with a good first wave to lie 2nd. She then backed it up with a great second wave to solidify the position. Unfortunately the expertise of the Peruvian and Panama female surfers showed. They got great waves finishing with 12.5 and 10.5 totals. Rosie did hold on to beat the young Indian girl for 3rd with another solid total of 5.1.
Rosie also can celebrate a great end to her competition and reflect on being one of only three Scottish girls that have made the second round at World level. She still has potentially three more years at international competition junior level.
Rosie finished joint 49th equal (out of 100 plus) in the world at under 16’s level.
Both juniors did themselves proud, learned and improved so much over the course of the trip. They also made a load of new friends.
Scotland finished 46th out of 57 teams with only 2 surfers doing 4 events out of a potential 12 team spaces. Ireland 29th and England 15th with full teams.
From a Scottish perspective we are in our first year with a part time national junior surf coach, Suds, and it’s making a big difference. Both Rosie and Joel where at the young end of our potential best junior team. It will be great to see our full team at the next worlds or Europeans.
Comments from our team.
“Being there for a competition at that level was a real privilege. The standard was incredible, and it was so good watching surfers put down huge performances. I was especially proud of our team – they improved so much over the course of the event. You could see their confidence growing day by day. We also met loads of people and made new friends, and I’d love to go back soon to explore more properly.” Erica
“ This competition was a wonderful experience. Peru has very friendly people and world class waves! I really enjoyed working with Juano and Erica to give our two talented juniors the best opportunity possible to do well. I feel this was achieved and so much learned for the future”. Sam
Rosie 15yrs
How was the travel?
The travel was really long and tiring, but I loved being on such a big plane with the TVs.
What did you think about Peru?
Peru surprised me. Where we were, it felt more desert than jungle. It was so warm and the water was really nice.
How were the people?
The people were so kind, welcoming, and helpful.
How were the waves?
The waves were amazing and so consistent. I loved pushing myself and surfing bigger waves.
What was your favourite thing about Peru?
My favourite thing was getting to surf the competition site, Punta Rocas, with only one other person.
Did you enjoy the competition?
Yes, I loved it. It was incredible meeting people from all around the world, and it pushed me to reach a higher standard.
How did you get on?
I struggled to find my feet a little in the U18 girls, but I am really proud of my result in the U16 girls. I finished joint 49th of over 100 competitors and made the second round.
What was the best thing about the competition?
The best thing was getting to surf nearly empty line-ups.
Any advice for future Scottish team members?
Just enjoy it. It is an opportunity of a lifetime. Do not put pressure on yourself because it never helps. You perform best when you are relaxed.
Would you go to an international competition again?
Absolutely. It was the best experience I have ever had.
Would you like to go back to South America?
Yes. I would love to go back and explore more, especially Machu Picchu and some of the more jungle areas.
Joel 14yrs
What did you think about Peru?
Peru was an amazing country, the food, the culture was brilliant .
How were the people?
Everyone was so welcoming and kind. All the locals were smiling and just looked really happy
How were the waves?
The waves were unreal but it was pretty crowded because of the competition although our coach managed to find us some less busy waves
What was your favourite thing about Peru?
The wildlife for sure. The water was filled with dolphins and fish there was pelican diving around us and even a couple huge sea lions came up to me which did give me a bit of a fright and on land there were things like gecko, big bugs and way more
Did you enjoy the competition?
Yes it was an experience to remember for the rest of my life. It was so cool seeing all the countries together and meeting new people. The standard was insane and I hope I will get to go back when I’m older
How did you get on?
I surfed good and I got good heat scores and results for me and if I can go again I would love to make it further in the competition
What was the best thing about the competition?
Finals day ! It was so cool watching the world best fight it out for the title
Any advice for future Scottish team members?
Yes. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself because in the end you’ll surf better if you’re having fun .
Would you go to an international competition again?
100% yes it was the best experience and I’m so grateful that I had the chance to go
Would you like to go back to South America?
Definitely it’s already on my bucket list of place I want to go to and I would love to go back to Peru when I’m older
