The 2027 Scottish Surfing Junior Nationals were held at Sandend on the weekend of the 7th & 8th of November. There was a strong turnout of Scotland’s best young surfers ready to compete in the various age categories.
The event was hosted by Sandend Surf Club (SSC) who had just finished building a miniramp on the evening before the comp – it was great to see all the groms shredding on their skateboards when they weren’t surfing. Rumour has it some ex-groms had good skate skills up their sleeves too. Well done guys.
In a year when there’s only been one junior series event that’s managed to go ahead we were fortunate to have small but contestable waves to allow this event to run. In contrast to the Fraserburgh event, these conditions provided different challenges, testing wave selection, speed generation and manoeuvre execution.
An eager crew of 8 under 10s took to the water first. This had a strong showing of kids from the northeast but it was the in-form Holly Hadden of Belhaven Surf Club (BHSC) who showed the best wave selection and one of the biggest heat scores of the event to take her 2nd win in the category and the Series honours for the year. This was an all-female final – the first time that’s happened in a mixed category, so well done girls.
1st Holly Hadden (BHSC)
2nd Karis Noble (BSC)
3rd Maggie MacDonald (SSC)
4th Ava Sutherland (SSC)
Next up were the under 12s with Tiree standout Reuben Milbourne (TSC) moving ahead of Oscar Morgan and the rest of the strong mixed field with a noticeable level jump from all the competitors this year. Asher Noble’s 3rd place secured him the Series win.
1st Reuben Milbourne (TSC)
2nd Oscar Morgan (ASC)
3rd Asher Noble (BSC)
4th Skye Brock (NSSC)
Controversy occurred in the under 14 girls when one of the event favourites, Scarlett Heddle, unfortunately had a priority interference, which cost her an advancing position in the semi-final. It’s a tough way to lose but a good learning experience and as a consolation, she won the Series. Skye Brock (NSSC) was on a hot streak and secured the win over Rae Hood (BHSC) in 2nd and Meri Clarke (NSSC) earned 3rd place
1st Skye Brock (NSSC)
2nd Rae Hood (BHSC)
3rd Meri Clarke (NSSC)
4th Holly Hadden (BHSC) (unable to attend final)
The under 14 boys had some big hitters with favourite Kai Cruickshank of Fraserburgh putting down solid scores to take the division and Series, despite having good competition from Reuben Milbourne, Aberdeen’s Oscar Morgan and Belhaven’s Dylan Whalley.
1st Kai Cruickshank (BSC)
2nd Reuben Milbourne (TSC)
3rd Oscar Morgan (ASC)
4th Dylan Whalley (BHSC)
Some great battles ensued in the under 16 girls heats. Erin Paterson took her maiden title in the category, closely followed by Rosie Moore over the usually dominant Callie Cruickshank with Scarlett Heddle getting some well-deserved redemption.
1st Erin Paterson (BHSC)
2nd Rosie Moore (BHSC)
3rd Callie Cruickshank (BSC)
4th Scarlett Heddle (NSSC)
One of the most competitive divisions didn’t disappoint with the under 16 boys putting on a great show. Rudi Johnston-Forrest continued his good form from the semis to take a convincing win over a talented field.
1st Rudi Johnston-Forrest (BHSC)
2nd Gabe Noble (BSC)
3rd Joel Christopherson (BHSC)
4th Kai Cruickshank (BSC)
Callie Cruickshank showed great resilience to bounce back from her earlier disappointment and take the win over a stacked crew of under 18 girls in tricky conditions, meaning she dominated the Series too.
1st Callie Cruickshank (BSC)
2nd Rosie Moore (BHSC)
3rd Erin Paterson (BHSC)
4th Lola Mitchell (BSC)
Joel Christopherson peaked at the right time with his best wave coming under priority at the end of the heat. It was a closely contested heat and the small details mattered so well done on winning the event and Series.
1st Joel Christopherson (BHSC)
2nd Tam Hood (BHSC)
3rd Gabe Noble (BSC)
4th Ansel Parkin (BHSC)
As ever, the standout division for a lot of people was the under 8s. 6 micro-groms signed up on the day to be involved in the freestyle, free to enter competition – there were awards for things like best pop-up, biggest drop, best wipe-out. Parents and helpers were allowed to push the kids onto waves, and it was all about getting involved and having fun. Huge congratulations to the 5 Sandend Surf Club members, Alex Hepburn, Magnus Davidson, Holden Harper, Maggie and Archie MacDonald, for lighting up the event. As MC Danny P commented, keep an eye out for big things from this crew.
Huge thanks go to Allyn & Hannah Harper for providing use of the fish sheds and skate ramp and sorting out the catering for the event crew; to Scottish Surfing and Marcelle Lockhart doing more than anyone realises behind the scenes; Mal Anderson and Paul Barlow for doing the photos and media; Iain Pugh of Vision Events for making the tech work; Head Judge Tim Aylett and his Refresh live scoring system; judges Craig & Kaitlynn Greyvenstein (and wee Isaac the regular footer), Colin “Gump” Kirby, Joules Shepherd, Catriona MacDonald; Dan Parkin and Campbell Scott doing the MC battles; Kirsty Parkin and Lainy Cruickshank for Beach Marshalling; and the Sandend Surf Club parents for helping with teas, coffees, furniture and setting up. It’s a great team. Apologies if I’ve forgotten anyone but you are appreciated.
Also, big thanks to our headline sponsors, Finisterre and Civerinos, and to event sponsors Sandend Holidays, Puffin Wood Fuels, Sandend Surf Club, Suds Surf School.
A huge well done to all the competitors for putting yourselves forward to make these events happen and to the parents for supporting it. The atmosphere was excellent and inclusive. From seeing the winners chaired up the beach by their surf heroes, to all the beach games, bonfires, surfskating, dinner in the cafe and socialising with new and familiar faces. It is a great community and I’d urge anyone to get involved regardless of experience or ability. You’re all helping Scottish surfing progress, as evidenced by what we saw on and off the water, so well done.
We look forward to seeing you at the events in the new year.
