NATHAN ELMS won the Under-14 title at the Billabong British Junior Championships in Bude, Cornwall, at the weekend.

The AIB Academy surfer used his explosive power to full effect in the final, in ideal conditions, and a quick two-wave combination earned the Les Quennevais student victory.

‘It was a well deserved win,’ said team coach Clayton Lidster.

‘Nathan surfed exceptionally well throughout the whole event and could have beaten many surfers in the higher age groups if he had the chance.’ After being carried out of the water to the podium by the Jersey team, Elms said: ‘I knew I had nailed it after my first two waves as I saw the English surfers beginning to panic and starting to catch waves of lower scoring potential.

‘I held my nerve and watched Clayton Lidster from the beach for instructions – it was really competitive out there.’ Elms secured the win from Beau Brohane (England) in second, Leon Mansfield (England) third, and Max Tucker (Wales) fourth while all but one of Jersey’s surfers reached the semi-final of this category.

With around 20 youngsters making the trip for the event, Lidster was pleased with the team’s overall performance but was disappointed with the U18 boys’ division as Jersey’s three surfers finished 17th.

Lidster praised Ben Bates, who finished ninth in the U12s, feeling that he could take over from Elms in years to come.

Megan Jones and Megan Vibert also performed well in the U14s girls’ division, putting in an admirable effort in their first ever championship.

Results – U18s: Jake Powell 17th; Jake Elms 17th; Justin Faulkner 17th; Grace Davies and Delia Baker 7th (semi-finalists); Charlotte Bayliss 13th.

U16s: Jake Elms 7th (semi); Christian Faulkner 9th (quarter-final); Sam Mason 13th; Will Glenn 19th; Jake Powell 37th.

U14s: Nathan Elms 1st; Matthew Chapman and Bradley Ferguson 5th (semis); Alex Vibert and Freddie Seymour 7th (semis); Aaron Ward 25th; Megan Vibert 9th; Megan Jones 13th.

U12s: Ben Bates 9th.