16-year-old surfer ‘stoked’ at being chosen for England

Tuesday 14 August 2018

A Jersey teenager is to be part of team England at the 2018 ISA World Junior Surf Championships being held in California at the end of October.

Will Masterman is currently the 2018 under 16 English Champion, and was ranked joint 47th on the World Surf League European Pro Junior Tour in 2017.

As well as ability, the selection committee says it also took into consideration athlete’s non-surfing traits, highlighting the importance of team harmony and cohesion when travelling to such an event. 

Masterman said: “I’m stoked to have been called to represent England as part of the team of 12. The English Team recently gained a credible 4th place at the European Junior Surf Championships which unfortunately I was unable to be part of due to rulings. I’m really looking forward to my first experience at the World's with such a strong team of surfers and staff and want to do well.”

Pictured: Will Masterman has been chosen to represent England at the 2018 ISA World Junior Surf Championships taking place at Huntington Beach, California, from 27 October to 4 November. 

His attempts though to improve his European standings recently suffered a setback. As he says: “Unfortunately another surfer’s fin cut my ankle open a few weeks ago prior to my heat at the WSL Pro Junior Event in Sopelana so I couldn’t compete. It’s almost healed now so I’m hoping to make up for the loss at the final event in Pantin, Spain.”

Mr Masterman is also hoping to do well at the final Rip Curl Grom Search event to be held at Watergate Bay in Cornwall. Winning this event, which is in Will’s sights, would allow him the opportunity to compete in the Rip Curl Grom Search World Final at an, as yet, undisclosed location.