ATHLETIC students from Sir James Smith's Community School, Camelford, have been proving their abilities and tenacity at a beach festival, held recently at Widemouth Bay.

Head of PE at the school, Nick Eacott, explained that the festival organiser said the students had yet again risen to the occasion and 'done their school proud'.

Mr Eacott added that all students completed their contests 'often in a howling north wind and rain'. However, despite the conditions they enjoyed the festival, against other local schools — even the mixed Under 15 volleyball team 'who lost their deciding match in the last second by a single point'.

Rob Brakes gained recognition in the climbing speed and difficulty competition in which Sir Jim's was first overall. He was given a special commendation as the only student to complete the extreme route.

In the girls' Under 14 beach football the school's team was also first, having played five and won five.

The mixed surf tag team was second overall after two gruelling heats in extremely challenging conditions, while Jess Nayeb took the best (female) wave of the day award.

Mr Eacott explained that there were "many individual stories within a great overall team performance" and added that it was a 'most worthwhile educational exercise.'