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North Shore surfing on the crest of a wave


By Matt Leslie

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Thurso’s North Shore Surf Club with the clan sword for the fourth year running. From left: Phoebe Strachan, Chris Clarke, Ryan Henderson, Ritchie MacLean, Nadia Murray, Mark Boyd and Craig McLachlan. Picture: Lester Cruickshank
Thurso’s North Shore Surf Club with the clan sword for the fourth year running. From left: Phoebe Strachan, Chris Clarke, Ryan Henderson, Ritchie MacLean, Nadia Murray, Mark Boyd and Craig McLachlan. Picture: Lester Cruickshank

North Shore Surf Club ruled the waves last weekend as it topped "The Gathering of the Clans".

The surfing event, which involved 10 clubs and close to 100 competitors, survived a change of venue halfway through thanks to bad weather.

High winds and higher waves at Fraserbrugh saw the competition decamp to Peterhead where Thurso-based North Shore claimed the overall team prize.

Only 50 points separated them from second-placed Belhaven, with Moray Surf Riders taking third spot.

Mark Boyd, who took second place in the men's open, said North Shore's juniors were instrumental in the club's success.

He said: "The majority of the team points came from the juniors. That is thanks to the hard work our volunteers do in encouraging kids to take up surfing and join our club.

"Other clubs are struggling to get juniors and our kids' programme paid off for us, given how well they surfed on the second day.

"As for the switch of venue, the weather started off fine at Fraserburgh but by midday the conditions became pretty challenging.

"There were very strong winds, it was stormy and the waves were getting higher. As the juniors were to compete on the second day, it was decided to switch the event to Peterhead where it would be more sheltered."

Craig McLachlan was North Shore's star surfer as he won both the under-18 and under-14 boys' events.

North Shore's other individual event winner was Phoebe Strachan as she took the women's title.

Boyd's second place in the men's event and the fourth spots gained by Nadia Murray (under-18 girls) and Chris Clarke in the longboard helped North Shore over the line to claim the team prize.


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