En Voyage - Issue #8
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Sport<br />
'WHAT BEGAN AS A PASTIME IN THE 1960S,<br />
HAS TRANSFORMED INTO ONE OF<br />
GUERNSEY'S MOST POPULAR SPORTS'<br />
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF GUERNSEY SURF CLUB<br />
LOUIS TOSTEVIN<br />
What began as a pastime in the 1960s<br />
– enjoyed by a few hardy islanders on<br />
huge boards – has transformed into one<br />
of Guernsey’s most popular sports. If any<br />
of the island’s 27 beaches has waves, it<br />
is safe to say, it will be packed. Last year<br />
(2017), the island’s surf calendar was jam<br />
packed with events and competitions,<br />
with hundreds of islanders and visitors<br />
alike turning out in support. It is a prime<br />
example of how surfing in Guernsey has<br />
gone from a quirky hobby to a booming<br />
industry and at just 24 square miles – the<br />
island’s small size, means you can go from<br />
work to waves in less than 10 minutes.<br />
Many of those who surf now are not the<br />
stereotypical drop-outs, nor are they all<br />
muscle-bound beach jocks. Attracted by the<br />
outdoor lifestyle, the adrenaline rush and<br />
the simple pleasure of being pushed around<br />
by nature, people from all walks of life – civil<br />
servants, firefighters and teachers – are<br />
prepared to spend money on the equipment<br />
and all share an enthusiasm for the sport.<br />
118 <strong>En</strong> <strong>Voyage</strong> | Aurigny’s Magazine
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