BIG Blue Surf School held its annual 'Big Blue Junior Surf Academy' awards at Summerleaze Beach in Bude on Saturday. On offer were some impressive trophies and prizes from Gul and Bloc Eyewear.

Around 20 local 8 to 18-year-olds, including youngsters from Bude, Stratton, Morwenstow, Welcombe, Bideford and Holsworthy, came to see if they were to be selected as 2009's most improved surfers.

Big Blue Surf School's Junior Surf Academy (JSA) runs weekly and offers subsidised surf coaching to local youngsters of all ability levels from complete beginner to advanced competitor.

Past and current attendees include British Team member Lyndon Wake and Louis Stritch, ranked forth in Britain in the under 18s longboard by the British Longboard Union.

Jon Price, owner and head coach of Big Blue Surf School, said: "We hold the JSA awards at the end of every season not necessarily to honour the best surfers but to reward those who have put in the most effort. Surfing should be about fun; that's our Junior Surf Academy philosophy fun, safety and good coaching.

"It's great that some of our youngsters are surfing at British Team Level but what's more important is that they come along every week and enjoy themselves."

Anyone interested in the Junior Surf Academy should contact Big Blue Surf School on 01288 331764 or email [email protected]">[email protected].