Three junior surfers from East Lothian and Midlothian are trying to raise thousands of pounds so that they can compete at the EuroSurf competition in Portugal this summer.
Ebon Parkin, 15, from Dunbar, Annie Herd, 15, and Finn Clarke, 15, have been selected to represent Scotland along with seven other surfers from across Scotland.
But in order to compete they will have to raise £7,000 as a collective team of ten.
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As a result they have set up a team crowdfunding page.
The team will travel to Santa Cruz in Portugal July 14 2022 with their coach, assistant coach, manager and videographer.
The opening ceremony on July 15 will see the team wearing kilts and waving the Scottish flag.
With the competition starting on Saturday 16, and lasting for eight days, the young surfers say that they “will proudly represent Scotland.”
They will be surfing in the Under 18 and Under 16 boys, Under 18 and Under 16 girls, as well as the longboard boys and longboard girls.
Ebon is quite unique on the junior surfing scene, coming from a household that does not include an older surfer, having started independently at the age of seven.
Although the Dunbar Grammar student admits that it has probably been in the last two or three years that he properly started to take surfing seriously.
He is often joined by his younger brother, Ansel, 13, when out on the waves and credits his amazing coach for his progress in the sport.
On competing in Portugal and his love for the sport, he said: “Surfing is just so fun. I love sitting out behind the waves and chatting with friends. Then when you catch the wave, it's so terrifying but also so fun.
“When you are flying down and finish the wave, the paddle back out is amazing, with everyone just loving it.
“There is a lot of anticipation, you see the waves are pumping and you are walking down and just thinking ‘I cannot wait to get down there.’
“Some people like it for the peacefulness but I love the adrenaline and the big waves.
“I started surfing when I was seven but I only really started getting into it two or three years ago when I got a job at the local surf school.
“I work as an assistant, so I go out with the instructors and help teach the kids and help wash up and pack up and everything.
“I’ve been doing that for the past two years.
“Last year I competed at the Scottish Junior surfing series with competitions all across Scotland. I managed to accumulate enough points and finished in second place which earned me a spot at EuroSurf.
“During Easter there my brother and I competed in the men's competition at Thurso, the waves were crazy.
“My brother was the youngest person to ever enter the competition, it is nice to be able to compete together.
“I’m really excited to go to Portugal, it is going to be so fun but I’ll be there with my mates, so I’m looking forward to that.
“I’m so grateful to all the businesses and individuals that have helped us raise money so far. We will be up against some great surfers but hopefully we can make Scotland proud and get through some heats.”
Ebon will be joined by friend Finn, who comes from Gorebridge, and enjoys surfing the waves by the beaches close to Dunbar.
His father Gene is also a keen surfer and skateboarder - so it runs in the blood.
On competing and his love for surfing, Finn said: “I love the feeling when out surfing, the adrenaline you get from the waves is so powerful.
“It humbles you and allows you to understand more about yourself and connects you to nature.
“Whenever the waves are good, I get out there and hit them.
“There is definitely a fear there, especially on powerful waves but once you have a couple under your belt, you gain confidence.
“Although the waves remind you to not get too big headed as they can quickly bring you back down to earth.
“It was my first year competing over the last 12 months. It was a lot of fun and was good for meeting new people.
“The surfing scene is great for socialising.
“I think I’m the only one from Newbattle high that surfs.
“I’m super excited to go out to Portugal. It will be such a good experience and I would be happy to make it through my heat, as there are so many good surfers especially from France and England.
“I’m really grateful for all the support we have received for our fundraiser.”
The last of the local trios is Annie Herd, 15, from Direlton, she spends a lot of her time surfing close to North Berwick.
She has a couple of friends with whom she surfs with at her high school in North Berwick.
On her experiences surfing she said: “There are a few of us that surf together at school. But I personally started surfing about three years ago with my mum.
“We go surfing at our local beaches around East Lothian. I got my first hard board for my twelfth birthday, and did my first competition in the Sandend Grom tournament in 2019 .
“It was a really fun thing to do.
“I like being in the sea and the adrenaline after getting a good wave is really good.
“I definitely feel more connected with nature when out on the waves.
“I’m slightly nervous for Portugal but it will be a super fun experience and I’m really excited to go there with my team.
“I’d be happy to get through a heat but not expecting to get a place in a finals or anything and getting through heat. I’m looking forward to gaining experience and growing as a surfer.
“We still have quite a lot to raise with the crowdfunder and I'm grateful for the support and the opportunity.”
Those wishing to support the junior surfers and their seven other team mates can do so by following their crowdfunding page here.
