DE LA SALLE College finished fifth in the UK Schools Surfing Championships at Woolacombe, North Devon last weekend.

Fifteen-year-old Phil Le Neveu led the way by winning the under-16 bodyboard title, surfing consistently throughout with colleague David Speller making it a one-two for the Jersey school in the class.

Competition was extremely tough in the U14 and U16 sections, the teenagers coming up against top-ranked British squad members who are competing for places in the Junior World Championships in Brazil later this year.

Despite being three years young, Matthew Chapman and Bradley Ferguson excelled – Chapman riding his way to a brilliant silver medal position while Ferguson made the semis where he placed fifth overall, missing out by the narrowest margin possible of 0.1 of a point.

Ferguson was edged out by British squad member Sam Woods.

Chapman’s achievement was made more impressive as he was rubbing shoulders with leading British performers Josh Pipper, Sam Woods and winner Alex Baker.

Grace Davies, of sister school Beaulieu, surfed in three events, winning the small entry U18 girls’ bodyboard.

The 16-year-old came to the fore in the longboard and girls’ shortboard.

Competing a year young and against the leading boys, she placed fifth in the longboard to be the highest-placed female in the tournament and under the watchful eye of British team coach Ester Spears.

Davies defeated British champion Beth Mason in heat one and heat two in the shortboard section but just fell short of making the final, losing out to eventual winner Kathleen Spears in the last four.

A total of 132 entrants representing 25 schools competed from around the United Kingdom.

Scott Stevenson, senior teacher at De La Salle and president of the Jersey Secondary Schools’ Sports Association, said: ‘All competitors performed exceptionally well, the team spirit was certainly a key factor to the enjoyment and overall success of all the competitors.

‘They have trained hard since October working on technical, physical and psychological aspects of sports competition and their results are very rewarding for them.

‘I’d particularly like to thank Dave Ferguson for his invaluable assistance, he is part of the success just like all the team.’ Stevenson added: ‘I believe there is scope for other Jersey schools to take part in future competitions, I’m sure they’d be more than welcome and have an opportunity to do well on the national stage.’ De La Salle were also represented by Nathan Cook, Scott Letherbarrow, Will Glenn, James Walker and Liam Walker – all who turned in good performances.

The squad were also assisted by Mark Letherbarrow, Esther Lempriére, Mark Durbano and Finnish longboard champion Jarkko Asikienan.