Scots youngsters gear up to compete in Brazil Junior Surfing Championships

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Youngsters from across Scotland are gearing up to compete in the Junior Surfing Championships (WJSC) in Brazil this autumn.Nine surfing stars will represent the country during the competition which marks the second time Scotland has entered a junior squad in the Worlds.Among those getting ready to go toe-to-toe with some of the best in the world is Lola Mitchell, Callie Cruickshank and Sebastian Ballantyne from The Broch Surf Club.As reported in Aberdeen Live, it is the first time the trio will have competed at this level and they are now looking for sponsors to help them raise cash.

Lola, 14, is already a two-time Scottish National U16 Surf Champion and Series winner, Semi-Finalist at the U18 2022 British Cup, a Boardmasters finalist and has represented Scotland in European Junior Surf Champs 2022.She will be competing in both the U16 and U18 championships.

Lola said: “I am so stoked to be picked to represent my country at the World Juniors in Brazil. It’ll be so cool to surf alongside the best young surfers in the world and I’m really excited and grateful for this massive opportunity and experience.”The event, held in Rio de Janeiro, will run from November 24 to December 3 and it is widely considered a direct pathway to the Olympic Games.Of the 40 Tokyo 2020 Olympic surfers, 33 had previously competed in the WJSC and 16 of them claimed ISA World Junior medals.Newly appointed Scottish Junior Squad Head Coach Craig Sutherland said: “I’m delighted that the Scottish kids are getting the amazing opportunity to represent their country on the international stage and compete with the best surfers in the world.“This will be inspirational not only for our current junior surfers but will also encourage other children to get