Team England has made history, taking home its largest ever haul of medals at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships – with Gold and Silver individual medallists, and a 4th place Copper medal for the team as a whole. The event in Huntington Beach in California was the biggest World Championships to date, attracting 184 athletes from 27 countries. All of which bodes well in the run up to the decision on whether surfing will be inclued in the LA 2028 Paralympics.

Team England Medal Winners:

  • Charlotte Banfield from Cornwall took Gold in the Stand 3 category
  • Melissa Reid, also from Cornwall, took silver in the Visually Impaired 2 category – her 5th World Championship medal
  • Zoe Smith from Bournemouth also took silver with a second place in the Stand 2 category – improving on her bronze medal last year
All the athletes on the team gave brilliant performances, with 3 reaching the Semi Finals, 3 reaching Quarter Finals, and many stand out moments, including a buzzer-beating ride from Cornwall’s Martin Pollock that clinched his first Semi Final place. All of this added to the team’s total points, winning them a Copper medal – the highest ever ranking for Team England.
“What an incredible showing for Team England at this year’s Para Surfing World Champs! The para surfing scene in this country continues to go from strength to strength, and we are now serious contenders on the world stage. We need to support these athletes with central funding and get behind lobbying for the sport to make it to LA28.”
Ben Powis

Chief Executive of Surfing England, the sport’s National Governing Body

“I still can’t believe I have actually won the World Championships and I’m now a World Champion in Para Surfing Stand 3! I surfed at my absolute best in the final, felt really happy with my performance and the hard work paid off! It is a day I’ll never forget. I’m over the moon and want to thank everyone for the incredible support.”

Gold medal winner, Charlotte Banfield

“As the volunteer Team Manager, I am absolutely thrilled for the team and support staff, every one of which played a huge role in this event. It’s my third year as Team Manager and the support and camaraderie, as well as team spirit this year, definitely helped propel us to the Copper medal. I very much hope this is the launchpad for new sponsors to get on board, and also for other adaptive surfers to be inspired to get involved with this incredible team and squad. 

“Thanks go to all those that have contributed, whether sponsors, coaching staff, individual encouragement to team members, or sharing the social media updates to raise the profile of these games. And of course my biggest thanks to the team members themselves who were absolute stars throughout, showing dedication, commitment, and support for the other surfers when they were not surfing themselves – it was brilliant to witness. The future is bright, and I believe this is only the start.”

Phil Williams, Team England Adaptive Manager

Full Team Details:

English team – 14 athletes and 10 support staff

Charlotte Banfield – Gold
Melissa Reid – Silver
Zoe Smith – Silver
Hannah Dines – Semi Final
Tash Davies – Semi Final
Suzanne Edwards

Martin Pollack – Semi Final
Olly Vaughan Jones – Quarter Final
Andy Guy -– Quarter Final
Mark Haggar – Quarter Finals
Harlum Lewis
Stephen Lightbown
Dave Jeffrey
Spike Kane

Huge thanks to the partners who have supported the team this year:

Muscle Foods – Headline sponsor
Boardmasters Foundation
Caravan and Motorhome Club
Dryrobe
Korev Lager
The Wave