NINE SURFERS have been selected to fly to France to compete in the Quiksilver International Surfing Association (ISA) Junior World Games in May.

The squad was announced on March 20 and coach Nick Donawa is pleased with the final nine.

"We have a small team, but I think that we will make an impact. We're going to struggle to meet our goal because of the smaller numbers we have, but it is still within our grasp," Donawa told MIDWEEK SPORTS.

"The kids are showing really good promise. They are slowly advancing on their competitive level because it's for competitive surfing that we're trying to train," he said.

However, one problem which Donawa has identified and which the Barbados Surfing Association has taken up with surfing's governing body is the scheduling of the international event.

"The problems we have that we've been expressing to the ISA is that 90 per cent of the time they choose their competition, it's around our Common Entrance or CXCs," he said.

"Education is very important and I really support that some of the parents make the decision for the kids to stay, [at home] but it's unfortunate because we really can't take our best or the fullest team that we can take. But the one that we are taking is very strong, but they are going to almost have to work double time," Donawa said.

Going well

The team has been training at different breaks like Long Beach on the south coast and Sand Bank at Cattlewash on the east coast and Donawa said it has been going well.

"We've really gone back to the basics of what is manoeuvres and what is competitive surfing versus free surfing," he added.

"When you're dealing with competitive surfing and judges, judges are looking for precision, they're not looking for bobbling. All your moves must be down pat and precise so this is the next level of surfing that we're going for," he said, adding the training will also focus on body language after a wave ride, strategy and planning.

The nine will compete in two more events – the last Surfer Of The Year event and GromFest – before the team leaves France.

The team is: Under-16 Boys' – Bruce Mackie; Gavin Fernandes; Jordan Heaselgrave; Lewis St John

Under-18 Boys' – Danny Edghill; Gavin Fernandes; Jordan Heaselgrave;

Under-18 Girls' – Alyssa Fernandes; Ametza Nicholls; Chelsea Roett; Chelsea Tuach.