Surfing to success on the global stage

Sunday 09 September 2018

A local teen who gained a 'golden ticket' to represent the UK in a worldwide wave-riding competition is hoping he'll surf to award-winning success.

15-year-old Will Masterman scored a "golden ticket" to represent the nation at the Rip Curl Grom Search World final - the date and time of which are still yet to be announced - after winning the UK Rip Curl Grom Search series.

He came second in the final of the three-event series, held at Watergate Bay in North Cornwall, last weekend but won the overall series.

The series started in Jersey in June with Will finishing third. He then went on to win the second event in Croyde Bay, Devon.

Masterman then progressed through to the final, notching up the highest wave score of the competition with a 9.0 during perfect wave conditions in his winning semi-final heat.

Masterman approached the final knowing he had to finish in second place or higher to win the event series and after a frantic tactical battle with the other competitors took second place, just 0.36 points behind the heat winner.

Pictured: Will surfing in Croyde Bay.

This victory in the series means that Masterman, who has been surfing since the age of eight, will be representing the UK at the Rip Curl Grom Search World final. Earlier this year, he won the under 16's English National Surf Championships and was selected to be part of team England at the 2018 ISA World Junior Surf Championships.

“I don’t think I have paddled so hard in my life," the young surfer said straight after the Grom Search final. “I had two massive paddle battles with two of the other competitors but was desperate to get the win or hold second place. I’ve been thinking about this event coming up and really wanted that spot in the world final.

"I’m really happy to have one it. It is the icing on the cake after winning the Under 16 title in the English Championships earlier in the year.”

While the location of the Rip Curl Grom Search World final is yet to be announced, Masterman says he will be happy to surf anywhere as long as he can do it in board shorts.