Skinner's steps in to support British surfers

July 3, 2009: Britain’s prospects at next month’s ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica have been boosted by an 11th hour sponsorship deal with Cornish brewery Skinner's.

The recession has struck a double whammy, with surfers struggling to meet travel and accommodation costs and the British Surfing Association (BSA) finding it harder than ever to attract sponsorship. To date only four British surfers, out of a potential eight, have confirmed their attendance at the Costa Rica event, which runs from August 1 to 8.

Now it is hoped to be able to send out a full team after all, thanks to the Skinner's deal, which involves financial support and presentation of new kit. Skinner's has also supported the Quicksilver King of the Groms special fund-raising event at Fistral Beach, Newquay, in aid of the team.

“Attracting sponsorship has always been a struggle and it is more difficult than ever in the present climate, with big cutbacks in company budgets, so we are immensely grateful to Skinner's for stepping in in this way,” said Jo Hillman, Newquay-based BSA operations director.

“Without the sponsorship, the surfers would basically have to pay the entire cost of their travel and accommodation in order to take part in the world games, and a lot of our top surfers just can’t afford that kind of outlay.” She is now inviting surfers who had previously declined the opportunity to compete in Costa Rica to reconsider.

Brewery chief executive, Steve Skinner, said: “Costa Rica will be the stage for the world’s top surfers — from America, Australia, Spain — and it would be unthinkable not to have Britain fully represented there. Hopefully, our support can make the difference. Not to send a full team would impact on Britain’s seedings and have unwelcome implications for our younger up-and-coming surfers.

“As a company, and personally, we are delighted to sponsor sport in many ways, and we are passionate about surfing in particular.”

Steve’s son Ben, who took silver in the 2006 World Games in California, is being lined up to coach the British team, whose other confirmed members are fellow longboarder Elliot Dudley and girls open surfers Beth Mason and Joanne Dennison, all from Wales.