Over 150 young people from across Bridgend County Borough attended the first inter schools surfing festival at Rest Bay, Porthcawl. This event signified the end of a successful summer of surfing development sessions that have been supported by the Sports Council for Wales.

The programme has been led by Bridgend County Youth Service who have established links with the Active Young People Department, local schools and a range of community groups.

Large numbers of boys and girls aged between 11 and 14 years from every secondary school in the County took part in the event that featured a range of beach activities including surfing, sand-soccer, tag rugby, dance and beach volleyball.

Bridgend has been supported by Sports Council to have a school sport coordinator in every secondary school as part of the national 5x60 school sport programme. 5x60 has helped to bring new and exciting events and activities to local young people and helps to develop a large number of students to become sports leaders and coaches.

The fair play award for the event was given to Ogmore Comprehensive School and was presented by Billabong professional surfer Max Tucker. Joanne Delve the school sport coordinator at Ogmore commented,

"Our children have had a fantastic time and enjoyed mixing with young people from other schools. It is great that we are able to listen to their views and provide new and exciting things to do".

The winners of the competition were Bryntirion Comprehensive School but everyone was made to feel successful thanks to the support and tuition provided by Simon Tucker Surf Academy and B. C. Surf Club. The event organisers are grateful to sponsors ‘Double Overhead’ who generously provided prizes for competitors and also the Welsh Surfing Federation.

Andrew Thomas, Sport and Physical Activity Manager for BCBC commented,

"The surfing development programme has been a huge success and we will be working with Sports Council to continue the programme next year. The school sport coordinators have worked really hard to make this happen and I am pleased that our young people have responded so well"