So the 2010 ISA World Jr Champs are taking place on the other side of the planet (New Zealand) next year, which means the BSA need to raise around £20,000 golden nuggets if they are to send their 12 finest young surfers over to take part. £20,000 is about what a Premier League footballer earns in a day, so Lampard, if you’re reading this, show us your money. What makes things particularly tight is that the money needs to be raised by this coming January. There’s plenty of young talent knocking about in this country, and with your help anything is possible…

The World Governing Body for surfing, the International Surfing Association (ISA), has announced that the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship will be held at Piha, in Auckland, New Zealand from 20 to 28 January.

For the British Surfing Association (BSA), the national governing body for surfing in Great Britain, the announcement starts the clock ticking for selecting, training and, crucially, raising the cash for the team to compete in New Zealand.

It is the first time since 1982 that the World Junior Surfing Championship has been held in Australasia. As it is being held in New Zealand, the contest is taking place six months earlier than it would have been were it being held in the northern hemisphere.

‘It’s great news that the Worlds are to be held in New Zealand,’ said Mark Wesson of the BSA’s Executive. ‘There’s a strong surf culture out there, a well developed infrastructure, and the climate and conditions should suit the British team down to the ground.’

The World Junior Surfing Championships comprise boys’ age group divisions of under-18s and under-16s, and a girls’ under-18s division, with teams from more than 30 countries competing from surfing nations such as Australia, the USA, South Africa, Brazil and Hawaii, as well as emerging nations including Israel, Morocco and Costa Rica.

The British Junior surfing team is sponsored by soft drinks company Calypso, but with an estimated total cost of £20,000 to fly the 12 young surfers, management and coaching team half way round the world, raising the additional funds needed by the end of January to enable the team to compete in New Zealand is now a priority.

‘We’ve got five months to raise the necessary cash to get the team to New Zealand, and pay for their accommodation while they’re out there competing,’ said Jo Hillman, the BSA’s Operations Manager. ‘It’s a great opportunity for any businesses or individuals to have their names associated with the Great Britain Junior Surf Team and the 2010 World Junior Surfing Championships, and anyone interested either sponsoring the team or making a donation should contact me at the BSA as early as possible.’

Over the next few months the BSA and its fundraising committee will be organising a series of special events to raise money for the team. Anyone interested in holding their own fundraising event on behalf of the team should also contact Jo Hillman at the earliest opportunity.

‘These young athletes are proud to fly the British flag, and are fine ambassadors for their sport and for their country,’ said Mark Wesson.

The Great Britain team for the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in New Zealand is expected to be named in a few days’ time.

www.britsurf.co.uk