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[Ireland's Aaron Reid in action on the North Shore]
Five of Britain's top junior surfers have returned from a month of training in some of the world's biggest waves
by George Mojo
02/12/2008:// Tassy Swallow, from St Ives, Newquay pair Josh Piper and George Pickering, along with Welsh champion Beth Mason and Ireland's Aaron Reid were invited to Oahu's North Shore by the Surf Solutions team.
The main focus of the programme was technical coaching and this was achieved mainly through video analysis from land and board cams, various group and individual goal setting, drills and feedback.
The squad also spent time working on psychological issues with clip boards full of questionnaires for analysis pre, during and post surf.
George Pickering said it was a great experience: "it has got to be the best place I've ever been. It's amazing. The island itself is really nice and the people are cool too but the waves are epic. Being there for a month was definitely a good idea because we got to catch lots of different swells, like big Sunset, to sick Off-the-Wall and then practice at Larni's and Rockys too, which I loved.
"Watching the pros was definitely a bonus. To see how they surf for real and to be in the water with the top guys and competing for waves definitely brings you up a level I think. Hawaii definitely pushes you. I feel its definitely improved my surfing and its one of the best trips of my life. Loved it!," he added.
The trip was a huge success with a constant supply of North West swells and some fantastic early season conditions with minimal crowds resulting in sky high stoke levels.
Head coach Joel Gray led the training assisted by Constantine Bay's Martin Connolly. Completing the team was top European lens man Roger Sharp.
Aside from the specific coaching an overall aim is giving the young surfers a good, solid introduction to Hawaii.
"Hawaii is the ultimate proving ground and it is the traditional end of year contest finale. What we are trying to do is get the groms as comfortable as possible both in the water and on land. To achieve this we have a fantastic beach side accommodation, great SUV car, and links with the best surfboard shapers in Tokoro and Bushman." said Gray.
"We try to get them involved with the community and get in a routine. We did Yoga at the Turtle Bay resort, had bikes to ride along the bike path, physical training, tourist trips. We'd spend time with the XCEL guys and take in their contest and the Haleiwa start of the Triple Crown.
"The overall idea is to get them as comfortable as possible so that they can concentrate on the waves and the surfing and of course put them in a better position for the future. One day I hope some of these kids will be coming back and competing in the Triple Crown events on their own. This provides the perfect start for them," added Gray
Surf Solutions Hawaii Project will return again in 2009 and interested junior surfers are urged to get in touch.
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