Cornish surfing prodigy's win 'means the world'

Teenager Lukas Skinner retained his two Boardmasters titles

Hotly-tipped Cornish surfer Lukas Skinner has said retaining his double crown at Boardmasters this year "means the world".

The 17-year-old broke his leg four months ago, but took both the Men's Championship and Junior Boys in the UK's biggest surf event at Newquay's Fistral beach on 10 August.

Lukas said the recovery from his injury was tough but now he now had his sights on more titles and the Olympics in 2028.

"To be representing Cornwall and bringing it back home, it was the best crowd I've ever surfed in front of for sure, " he said.

Lukas Skinner said securing the wins following his leg injury was "emotional"

Boardmasters is part of the European-based QS tour, with the highest ranked competitors making it onto the Challenger Series, which in turn feeds the top level Championship Tour.

Lukas, from Perranporth, is off to Spain next in his bid to get enough points to progress to the Challenger Series.

The teenager is also part of the GB Surfing Progression Squad, and has his Olympics ambitions.

He said: "That's always the main goal - and it's at Trestles Beach in California, which is one of my favourite waves in the world.

"I believe I can do it so I'm going to train very hard and hope that I can."

The Perranporth-based surfer said competing in Cornwall was "special" as he has so much support from family and friends

But the road to the Boardmasters victories at Fistral Beach has been hard after the leg injury that meant Lukas had to fly to Germany for surgery.

He said: "I think people don't realise how hard it is going through that - there were a lot of dark times and I think that's why all my emotion came out when I did win.

"I broke down in tears because this year has been so hard for me and it all just paid off and the crowd was insane and so loud.

"It was a long four months, but it built me as a better person and I was able to come back and win, so I'm really happy."

His father Ben is also a pro-surfer and 11-time European longboard champion.

"My dad is a big inspiration. He's my biggest supporter, along with my mum, and he makes my surfboards as well, so that's special.

"My biggest goal at home is to show that it is possible to come from Europe and Cornwall and get to the top stage.

"I am really proud to be that person for younger surfers to look up to."