An Interview with Our Young Surf Assistants Heading to Brazil
The countdown is on for our junior surf assistants – and high-performance team riders – Charlie and Ansel. Both are preparing to travel to Brazil to compete at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships.
When we sat down with them for a chat, you might expect nerves. However, both surfers seemed relaxed, focused, and quietly excited about the adventure ahead.
How Did You Start Surfing?
Q: How did you start surfing?
Ansel:
My brother surfed first. After that I copied him. I bought my own surfboard and wetsuit and started going all the time.
I had surfed a little since I was about seven. However, I didn’t start surfing regularly until just before I joined the Belhaven Surf Development Squad. I was about eleven then.
Charlie:
A few of my friends surfed and I wanted to try it. So I booked a week-long Junior Surf Course at Coast to Coast. That was when I was eleven, and I’ve now been surfing for just under three years.
What Do You Love About Surfing?
Q: What is it about surfing that you love so much?
Ansel:
Every wave is different. I really like the challenge of that.
Charlie:
When you catch a wave and start dropping down the face, the adrenaline rush makes you feel completely free.
First Surf Competition
Q: When was your first competition and how did it go?
Ansel:
This actually goes against what I said earlier. I competed when I was eight, even though I wasn’t surfing regularly yet. To be honest, I mostly just flopped about in the water.
Charlie’s first competition was at Pease Bay. He was quite annoyed that I beat him.
Charlie:
Ansel!
My first competition was on 5th September 2021. I finished third in the under-16 category. That year Ansel won the under-14s.
Training for the Competitions
Q: What are your thoughts on the upcoming competitions? How is training going?
Charlie:
Right now we have the British Championships coming up this week, so that’s my main focus. The Worlds will come after that.
It won’t be easy, but it will be a great warm-up for Brazil.
Ansel:
For me, competitions don’t really change my training. I train consistently all year round.
Heading to Brazil
Q: Have you been to Brazil before?
Ansel:
No.
Charlie:
No.
Charlie and Ansel:
We’re a bit nervous but also really excited. It should be a great experience.
We’re also very excited to finally get out of these wetsuits and surf in board shorts. Our wetsuits are definitely starting to smell!
We’re also looking forward to seeing the football culture, hearing the music, and visiting Christ the Redeemer.
Advice for Young Surfers
Q: What advice would you give to youngsters who want to start surfing?
Charlie and Ansel:
Watch Surf’s Up! That genuinely got us into surfing.
Only watch the first one though — definitely not the second.
Charlie:
I loved doing the Junior Surf Course. It’s a great way to spend a full week learning and developing your surfing. After that, just stick with it and keep practising.
Ansel:
Push yourself outside your comfort zone in the waves. However, always stay within your limits.
And don’t get too upset when we drop in on you.
Follow Their Journey
Q: If people want to keep up with your surfing, how can they follow you?
Charlie and Ansel:
Follow us on Instagram. That’s where we post all our updates.
Charlie: @charlie_pugh1
Ansel: @ajparkin1
A Thank You
Finally, both surfers wanted to thank everyone who supported their fundraising campaign.
Your support helps make opportunities like this possible. It truly means a lot to them.
Everyone at Coast to Coast Surf School wishes Charlie and Ansel the very best of luck in Brazil. We’ll be cheering them on from home.
If you’d like to learn more about the competition, visit:
https://isasurf.org/event/2023-rio-de-janeiro-isa-world-junior-surfing-championship/
At the time of writing, Ansel has just become Scotland’s U14 Junior Boys Series Winner, while Charlie has taken the title of Scotland’s U16 Junior Boys Series Winner.
Both surfers will now head to the British Championships and the World Juniors. Importantly, they still have several more years left competing in the junior divisions.
We’ll be posting regular updates from all competitions on our social media channels.
