A teenage champion surfer has set his sights on the 2028 Olympics - where he hopes to compete alongside his father, writes Josie Adnitt.

Lukas Skinner, 15, from Perranporth, is already making waves in the water. He came second in the junior world championships last month - after winning a major international competition earlier this year.

Lukas comes from a surfing family. His father Ben Skinner is a multiple longboarding champion and his two younger siblings are both talented surfers too.

Speaking from the Wave, an inland surf destination, Lukas said the Los Angeles games in five years is his goal.

He hopes longboard is featured as an event - so Ben can compete too. Lukas said: “Longboarding looks like it’s maybe going to be in the Olympics and my dad’s a longboarder, so he’s looking to go for that. If we can both get in the 2028 Olympics that’s the big goal.”

Lukas beat competitors from around the world to win the World Grom Search Finals in Australia in April.

He said that being the first British surfer to hold the title was “special” and a “surreal” experience.

The teen came away from the ISA World Junior Championships with a silver earlier this month — after breaking his foot just months before.

He won every heat on his way to the under 16s final at Macumba Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Lukas was less than half a point away from the winner, Spaniard Hans Odriozola, also 15.

Lukas said he tries to balance his international success with the normal life of a schoolboy.

He said: “It’s super hard but my school have been amazing - they’ve been really supportive and made it work. Trying to make it work is hard but I’m doing my best.”

Lukas says his first memories of being “in the water” start aged two. He said: “From five I remember surfing with friends — I still surf there now. It’s always been a big thing, especially watching my dad. It’s a really good time to be at this age in surfing — it’s been amazing.”

Now Lukas’ younger sister, aged 13, and younger brother, aged eight, surf too - with sister Lila on the Team England Junior squad.

There are hopes there could be the whole family at future Olympics. Lukas said: “The fire [my dad] gets from competition has followed on to me and I just love competing. When the surf’s good we’re always comparing who got the best wave that day. 

“My sister is progressing so much. It’s really cool to see. And my brother did his first contest the other day and won it.”