By Budewaveriders
BUDE has a European champion in the shape of 11-year-old Betsie Reay who won the Under 12s girls event at the Eurokids, Las Americas Surf Pro in Tenerife on Thursday, December 8.
Betsie, who started surfing at the age of six before making her competitive bow three years later, recorded her all important back up score with three minutes of the final to go, to take the title.
She travelled to the island just off of Spain with fellow young Bude surfers Martha Edwards and Coco Arthur, for the chance to become a European champion.
After dominating the semi finals, Betsie has had a slow start the final, with only two low scoring waves in the first 15 minutes and that stage sat in last place in the four-person decider.
But showing patience beyond her years, she waited with priority for a set wave to come.
She spotted a potential wave, paddled hard, took off and hit the lip on her backhand with speed and power and lands her turn, scoring the highest signal wave score of the final with 5.8 out of 10, which moves her up to second.
Over the next 10 minutes the ocean went quiet with very few potential high scoring waves coming through.
With four minutes to go Betsie only needed a 1.8 from her second wave to take the lead.
With a change of tactic she hunted the inside, took off on a medium size wave, completed her first gentle turn, before showing courage and commitment to land a second turn in ankle deep water two metres from the dry reef in front.
The roar from the 30-strong travelling British contingent was then heard across the beach as a score of 2.73 was announced over the tannoy, meaning Betsie moved into first place.
With just seconds to go it appeared she was set for the title, and once the hooter sounded to end the final, it meant Bude and Britain had a European champion.
The scenes on the beach go to show how tight knit the British surfing community is and huge credit go to those who supported Betsie. She couldn’t have done it without them!
Reflecting on her achievements, a club spokesperson said: “Having learnt to surf at age six and competed since age nine, this win is by far and a way the most significant of her fledgling surfing career.
“It makes all those cold, windy, winter sessions over the years worthwhile and is a measure of her commitment to a sport she loves.
“However, it is also testament to a much wider support network that have all contributed significantly to her success.
“Thanks to the Bude surfing families, notably the Edwards, the Arthurs and the Reays for supporting Betsie in and out of the water as well as the coaches like Tammy Lee Smith Heaven and Miles Lee Hargreaves who coach young surfers in Bude based on their own successful competitive experience.
“Enormous credit goes to the incredible Budewaveriders club, who enthuse young newcomers to the sport whilst providing a platform for Bude children to compete locally and nationally, Paul and the team at Zuma Jay and Ian at Bude Surf Cabin for all their support over the years, and finally, the immense team at The Deck Bude, for sponsoring Betsie over the last two years, your support has been invaluable.
“Well done Betsie, your family, Bude, and British surf community are immensely proud of you!”
Looking ahead, Betsie has set her sights on eventually earning selection for the England Under 16s girls team.
This winter she will have some winter training on the right hand point breaks of Morocco to hone her skills before for the 2025 season kicks off in the spring!