A Cornish A Level student is riding high having been crowned the best female surfer in Britain and will compete at the World Surfing Championships with Team GB in Puerto Rico.

Lauren Sandland studies A Level physical education, maths and biology at Truro and Penwith College and is a member of the College’s Elite and Football Academy, both academies are part of the sport academy within the College’s nationally leading Enrichment programme.

Winning the British Women’s Surfing Championship in her hometown is the biggest accolade the young surfer from Newquay can achieve domestically and has secured her an automatic place in the GB Surfing team to compete in the ISA World Surfing Championships in Puerto Rico in February next year, which is an Olympic qualifying event.

Falmouth Packet: Lauren Sandland Lauren Sandland (Image: Truro and Penwith College)With limited competitive experience, Lauren explains the College’s Elite Academy helped her to learn about gaining mental strength which gave her a competitive edge. Lauren commented: “I'm so happy to be the new British Women’s Surfing Champion. I have been attending regular Sports Psychology sessions with Truro College Sports Psychologists Emily Lord and Matt Birbeck, who have developed my mental strength and taught me how to best prepare mentally for surfing a competitive heat.”

Like any top surfer, Lauren’s balancing skills are impressive but she praises the College for its support to allow her to keep up her studies while giving her time to train and compete.

Falmouth Packet: Lauren was the winner of the British Women’s Surfing Championship Lauren was the winner of the British Women’s Surfing Championship (Image: Truro and Penwith College)“Truro College and my tutor Luke Payne have been flexible and have supported me and allowed me to continue with my college work around surfing competitions.”

The College’s Enrichment programme offers full-time students the opportunity to take part in a range of extra-curricular activities to develop their skills, confidence, and resilience, prepare for their next step and stay healthy. It has an impressive track record of supporting learners to compete on the national stage with acceptance to the country’s top universities and international sporting achievements while pursuing hobbies and broadening social horizons.