Straight Outta Badlands

Josh Ward, 19

St Agnes, Cornwall, UK

Not really one for encounters of the coloured jersey, Josh Ward prefers to spend his time free-surfing for photos, or lifeguarding at Chapel Porth near his home in St Agnes, Cornwall. ‘I work the summer season here to save up,’ Josh explains, ‘And then it’s off to warmer climes in the autumn.’ Josh’s favourite local spots are Porthtowan and Chapel Porth, breaks he reckons, ‘Have a bit more punch than most beachbreaks around here. And then of course there’s Porthleven as well.’

Further a field, Josh reckons the south coast of Portugal is one of his favourite places to travel for waves, and wants to head back there as well as to Central America later this year. Gaining a reputation on the UK scene as an aerialist, Josh also has a taste for the barrel learned from growing up surfing with local chargers like Robin Kent and James Hendy. ‘There’re not that many guys pulling airs out at Aggie though,’ Josh chuckles, ‘we’ve got kind of an older scene round here, but there are heaps of good local surfers.’

Unsurprisingly, coming from the Badlands region of Cornwall, Josh looks pretty close to home for his main surfing influences, ‘I mostly look up to my uncle Drustin Ward and my dad Martyn. My whole family surfs,’ Josh adds, ‘From my Nan to my little brother. But watch out, my Nan shreds low-tide Aggie and she’ll wax your windscreen if you drop in on her…’

Josh rides for Volcom, Vans & Beach Beat surfboards.