Reubyn Ash, 18, who hails from Bude in the UK is the 2006 European Junior Champ after taking the win in Ferrol, Spain.

It was an amazing finish to conclude 10 days of intense competition in the European Junior Surfing Championships. Fighting for the Junior European title was young Bude local Reubyn Ash and Newquay resident Tom Butler from team England, alongside two high profiled French competitors to surf the finals. With both English contenders leading and dominating the 25-minute heat, England was set to take home 1st and 2nd position. With Reubyn surfing textbook style and looking good on every wave ridden alongside Tom taking once again the biggest set waves of the day, both juniors claimed the two highest wave scores of the heat at a total of 12.4 for Reubyn, putting him in to 1st position, and a 12.37 for Tom placing him in second. However, needing only a 0.8 score, Adrien Toyon from France took off on a high scoring wave within the final stages and countdown to the heat, leaving a close margin resulting in pushing Tom down to third position. Romain Cloitre also from France took fourth position having a combined total of 8.56.

Coach Joel Gray said: “Tom had some solid waves on his backhand, surfing outstandingly well and consistently dominating the larger set waves coming through his heat. Tom being our team captain has established himself as a competent team player and excellent team captain throughout the whole event, I would love to see Tom in the final six in the pro junior next year.”

Reubyn is the hottest junior to come out of the UK, he has dominated junior surfing there for the last 5 years and will be a strong presence on next year’s EPSA Junior tour.
He is hoping to keep his contest form for the next few months as last week he received a spot into the trials of the 2006 Billabong World Junior Pro to be held in Narrabeen, Australia from the 1-8th January 2007. Reubyn will be the first UK junior surfer ever to compete in this contest. ” I’m so stoked to get a spot in the trials, I love Australia and Narrabeen is a really good left so I’ll be on my forehand….I can’t wait to get over there.”