Boyd aiming for podium placing in Norway
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MARK Boyd is hoping to make some big waves for Scottish surfing when he heads to Norway to compete in the Nordic Surf Games.
The Thurso surfer spent last week in Portugal getting in some last-minute training for the four-day event in Jaeren, which starts on Wednesday.
Last year, Scotland were one of the guest nations invited to the games when Boyd rubbed shoulders with top surfers from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. He narrowly missed out on a medal and is targeting to be challenging for a podium place this time.
He expects wave conditions and water temperature to be similar to that on his home waters in Thurso East.
“It is great to get to go and compete in Norway again in a similar climate,” he said.
“I was fifth in the men’s open last year and I’d like to make the final and try my best to win the event.”
Scotland are also represented by Megan Mackay, from Macduff and Jamie Marshall and junior Elliot Young, both from Dunbar.
“Hopefully a few of us can make some podium places,” said Boyd (right), speaking from Portugal.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone in the masters’ division which will affect our overall team placing.”
Boyd is no stranger to competing on the international stage, having represented his country at numerous contests around the world.
As well as last year’s Nordic Games, he surfed at the World and European championships.
Last year he finished second at the Scottish Surfing Championship and was the top Caithness-based surfer at the UK Pro Surf Tour at Thurso East in October when he finished fourth.
At last year’s Nordic Surf Games, Thurso surfers Shoana Blackadder and Phoebe Strachan won silver and bronze respectively in the women’s competition while Murkle teenager Iona McLachlan claimed bronze in the mixed junior surfing competition.
Meanwhile the Scottish Surfing Championship will be returning to Thurso East on April 14-17.
