PENRYN’S Charlotte Banfield has earned a consecutive world para surfing title for Team England at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships in Huntington Beach, California.
Sunday saw the 9th running of the championships launch into action, kicking off with a parade of nations and pouring of sand, with over 150 para surfers and 24 countries attending.
When the last waves were ridden, Team England closed with 7th in the World. With four less surfers less than last year, this was a fantastic result. Standouts were the two gold medals, with fantastic performances from Zoe Smith in the stand 2 category and Charlotte Banfield in the stand 3 category, earning a consecutive world title.
Suzanne Edwards in the prone (non-assist) division made the podium with a copper medal (4th). Laurie Foti made her debut with the team and completed 5th overall. Representing England in the prone assist division was Hannah Dines. In a tough semi-final with big lulls between sets sadly Hannah exited the contest.
Whilst the men didn't take away any medals, each one of them performed well in some fiercely competitive heats. In the visually impaired division, after taking a year off Dave Lewis scored great waves both frontside and backhand.
Newcomer James Price and established surfer Mark Hagger filled the spaces in the Men’s prone assist division. Mark progressed through to quarter finals, narrowly missing out on a semi-final position but getting 10th in the world. In the men's prone one division Harlum Lewis in his 2nd World championships once again gave a strong performance.
Spike Kane has been with the team from the start representing England in the sit division. After a tricky first heat, he came into his own on the second heat scoring some really good clean waves.
After finals, the event concluded on Saturday afternoon with the presentation under the Californian sunshine. Medals were awarded, and the national anthem played twice and saw Suzanne collect her medal. Overall, it was a fantastic result for Team England.
Team manager Phil Williams said: “With the reduced number of athletes and a number of new faces in the coaching team and the surfers it was always going to be a year of change.
“It was fantastic to witness everybody coming together so well, working as a team, and our beach support crew did a fantastic job, probably the best in the world without a shadow of doubt.
“The speed of the runarounds for the wheelchair athletes was a talking point of the commentators. Proud to see the medallists of course, but also proud to see all the competitors doing so well.”