There is a new name on everyone’s lips in the longboard surfing community after Truro School Sixth Form student Beth Leighfield won the British Girls’ Under 18 Longboard Surfing title at the end of September.

Held on Cornwall’s Fistral beach, this year’s final greeted the UK’s best longboard surfers with good weather and a mixed bag of surfing conditions throughout the day.

Run by the British Longboard Union, the annual British Girls’ Under 18s Longboard Championship consists of four heats held at various locations across the UK.

Having performed well in the three previous heats earlier in the year, Beth was one of three competitors in with a chance of winning the girls’ junior competition going into the final.

With fairly flat surfing conditions hampering the Under 18s competition it was tough for all competitors to reach their full potential.

Beth said: “Unfortunately the surf was not great. I just tried to catch the best waves I could”.

Following a close final heat, it was the experienced Emily Currie who finished in the top spot with Beth finishing in second place.

Despite not finishing first, Beth’s second place result on the day twinned with her consistently high points tally across the previous three championship events was enough to see her take the title.

Following the victory Beth said: “I’d like to say thanks to Jolly Roger Surfboards who have recently shaped a new board for me and also to Steve Stritch for his tuition”.

Beth next hopes to achieve success in the Senior Womens’ category. She said: “I hope to re-enter the Women’s Senior competition next season. I entered it this year and got through to the semi-final, so next year I hope to finish in the top 10.”

It is expected that Beth will grow from strength to strength over the coming two years, not only as she continues her lessons with Steve Stritch, but also as she takes advantage of the Surfing Academy at Truro School.

Set up in February 2014 and led by professional surfer Sam Lamiroy, the purpose of the Truro School Surfing Academy is to help create an elite surf squad and spearhead the future of surfing in Cornwall.

Truro School’s Headmaster, Mr Andrew Gordon-Brown, said: “We have brought in Sam Lamiroy because we want the talented surfers at Truro School to have the best professional coach in this sport and the opportunity to take part regionally and nationally in surfing competitions.”

With access to professional tuition, a brand new board and a brand new sponsor (Hoax Clothing), Beth Leighfield is certainly a name to watch out for in the future.