A TEAM of local junior surfers have travelled to Ireland to compete in a prestigious annual competition, hoping to further add to the Channel Islands’ reputation as a major surfing hotbed.
The team is set to compete in the European Junior Surfing Championships 2026 – the first time the Irish Surfing Federation has hosted the “flagship junior” event.
After starting at the weekend and running until 4 October, 20 national federations will compete in an “epic event” with more than 200 juniors battling it out in different heats.
The competition consists of U16, U18 and longboard categories which will commence over two of Ireland’s most iconic waves: The Peak and Tullan Strand.
The CI team is made up of the best young surfers for the islands and is accompanied by Dan Harris as team manager and Max Bennett as coach, both of whom are no strangers to the EuroSurf competitions.
Channel Islands Surfing Federation secretary Michelle Dawson said: “We are extremely fortunate to have such a high standard of surfing across the Islands. Each member of this team is a shining start of CI surfing all with heaps of technical ability, style and determination.
“I have no doubt that they will all surf their hearts out and show everyone just how impressive they all are.
“The CISF expresses our gratitude to each of Broadlands, El Tico and The Surfyard for all their support, as well as Jersey Sport.”
Islanders are able to follow the event via the Irish and European Surfing Federations’ social channels, as well as the livestream on YouTube.
The CISF Team
- Jesse Heddercott
- Luca Sebastianelli
- Albie Gould
- Jake Le Quesne
- Aleksander Blampied
- Arran Hunt
- Cayden Bell
- Daisy Heddercott
- Maisie Le Moignan
- Nava Dowse-Harris
- Rebecca Lynam
- Dan Harris (Team Manager)
- Max Bennett (Team Coach)
- Jodie Lynam (Coach)
- Katherine Heddercott (Coach)
