Lossiemouth surfer (14) called up to represent Scotland at European Junior Surf Championships
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A YOUNG surfer from Lossiemouth has been called up to represent Scotland in the European Junior Surf Championships in Portugal this summer.
Fraser Brown (14) will represent his country in the under-16 category of the event set to be held in Santa Cruz on July 14 after qualifying at a competition in Sandend last year.
Fraser, who has been surfing for four years, will join nine other junior surfers from around Scotland on June 14 to train near Thurso before heading out for the championships one month later.
"It's going to be cool to represent my country," Fraser said.
"Especially doing something that I really like and also to be able to surf in a new place.
"Surfing is really relaxing and wherever you are, the surfing community is really nice."
When he's not in school, Fraser is often seen riding the waves or practising on his skateboard.
The sport's reliance on the weather and Fraser's commitment to his studies at Gordonstoun has limited the young prospect's training opportunities.
That makes his recent call-up to the national set-up all the more impressive, says long-time coach Donald Peace of New Wave Surf School.
"Since he's at Gordonstoun he doesn't get much time on the water," Donald said.
"Considering that, he's really come on leaps and bounds and he's developed into a really good surfer.
"Surfing is a frustrating sport because you can't really go when you want. The conditions have to be right and you have to be free.
"The biggest thing for him is that this will be a great experience and he will learn a lot.
"I'm sure he will do well because he has the right mindset."
Fraser and his teammates will take on a competitive field in Santa Cruz. That will include teams from France, Spain, Portugal and Germany - well established nations on the surfing scene.
"A lot of these nations were just a wee bit ahead of us," Donald said.
"There has been a big effort from the Scottish Surfing Federation in recent years to catch up though.
"I think this team is one of the best I have seen from Scotland."
In order to compete at the championships, the team needs to raise £7,000. And, after setting up a Crowdfunder, they have already raised nearly £3,500.
Fraser has also been sponsored by Lossiemouth Sports Hub while local businesses have also contributed to the team's Crowdfunder.
Kath Brown, Fraser's mum, is grateful for the support.
She said: "We’re super grateful to McClintock optical stylist and also New Wave Surf School in Lossiemouth and ESP in Elgin for their donations to the Crowdfunder. Also to the Lossiemouth Sport Hub for their grant."
