WITH all the star-power, history and immense scale of Eurosurf Junior 2026, Jersey’s surfers proved they have the ability to compete at the top-level.
Representing the Channel Islands, 11 of Jersey’s finest young surfing talents not only took part – they thrived in the “eye-opening” reef breaks.
Three finished in the top-10 in Bundoran, aptly known as the ‘Surf Capital of Ireland’, en route to the Channel Islands finishing ninth overall.
World-class conditions, epic two-metre plus sets, intense battles and high-risk heats – this competition had it all to make it one for the ages.
Then, there’s the quality of the surfing. World Games performers, WSL Pro Junior athletes, national champions and some of the sport’s biggest rising stars filled the bill and wowed the crowds.
Everything added up so well that the European Surfing Federation remarked it was “undoubtedly the finest competition” they have ever organised.
Channel Island coach Max Bennett said: “Bundoran definitely had one of the better swells and higher standard of surfing that I’ve seen in a contest, it was great to see 250 competitors from 20 countries out there in the surf.
“Seeing our juniors compete was just brilliant – it was definitely an eye-opener for some. These events are so important in development and you learn so much.”
After narrowly falling short in the first round of U16 action, Aleks Blampied surfed with speed and power to battle through the highly competitive repêchage rounds in the U16 Boys shortboard, making it all the way to round six.
There, drama ensued. Towards the end of his heat in the sixth round, Blampied rocketed to first place after scoring 7.07 – but it just was not to be, as he was knocked out of contention after Switzerland’s Matias Bento leapfrogged him just two seconds before the buzzer.
“To finish ninth in Europe and be the last remaining U16 Boy from the home nations is something I didn’t believe would be possible,” said Blampied.
“My performances in this competition have proved that I can hold my own at this level, only boosting my confidence for future events.
“I just took it one heat at a time. Coach Max [Bennett] and team manager Dan Harris kept me calm, focused and in the zone, planning out each heat and I received great support from friends, teammates and parents.
“I think I proved that hard work pays off and, with resilience, determination and belief, anything is possible.
“I was enjoying every moment and I’m very grateful for the support from the Jersey Sport Performance Sport Programme and my sponsors, Madhatter and Hapi.”
Meanwhile, Arran Hunt “showed a level head” in the Longboard U18 Boys, his final year at this age, to make it all the way to repêchage three and finish sixth in the repêchage.
Rebecca Lynam, not usually a longboarder, was “selfless” to enter the Longboard U18 Girls competition, ensuring the Channel Islands could get as many points as possible.
However, Lynam exceeded expectations to produce a top-10 finish in the repêchage, after making it to repêchage two.
This just shows that Jersey’s competitive surfing scene is building, with Bennett adding: “The results are a great sign for the future – it shows that all our plans with development have paid off, we just need to keep it moving in the right direction.”
The team would like to thank their sponsors Broadlands, The Surfyard and El Tico, as well as the Jersey Sport Travel Grant and the tireless work from Michelle Dawson, Katherine Heddercott and Jodie Lynam, for making it all possible.
Channel Islands Team: Albie Gould, Aleksander Blampied, Arran Hunt, Cayden Bell, Daisy Heddercott, Jake Le Quesne, Jesse Heddercott, Luca Sebastianelli, Maisie Le Moignan, Nava Dowse-Harris, Rebecca Lynam
