Female surfers 'verbally abused' during GB contest

An annual GB competition was postponed at the weekend

A Great Britain surfing event was postponed after female competitors - one of them a 15-year-old - were allegedly verbally abused by a group of surfers not involved in the competition.

Semi-finals of the GB Cup were taking place on Sunday at Thurso in Caithness, an area renowned for its surfing conditions, with entrants from Scotland, England, Wales and the Channel Isles.

GB Surfing, the organisation that selects and prepares athletes to compete in the Olympics, said the incident brought its annual competition to an "abrupt end".

Paul Stark, chief executive of the Scottish Surfing Federation, claimed a small group of surfers had targeted young female competitors with abuse.

Police Scotland said it received a report of abusive behaviour in the area of Thurso East at about 15:45 on Sunday.

A spokesperson said: "Officers attended and no injuries were reported. Inquiries are ongoing."

Nine Channel Island athletes were among those taking part in the weekend's event.

In an online statement, GB Surfing said: "We understand that there is a police investigation proceeding into an alleged incident of abuse towards competitive surfers by 'free' surfers, initially towards female surfers in the GB Cup.

"The board of GB Surfing is deeply concerned by the news of the incident which has brought the event to an abrupt end."

Mr Stark said the decision to postpone the finals was taken in the interests of the competitors' safety.

He told BBC Scotland News: "Verbal abuse at young female athletes is unacceptable in surfing and unacceptable in society."

Support for female athletes

GB Surfing board member Arlene Maltman said the organisation did not condone abuse from any surfers, adding that what happened was "even more disturbing" because it was towards women.

She confirmed police were investigating.

The former British surfing champion said the incident took place during a semi-final event and was "particularly upsetting" because it took the limelight away from the three women competing, one of whom was 15 years old.

"The incident has stolen their chance to shine," she added.

Jersey-based Ms Maltman said the Channel Islands Surfing Federation and Jersey Surfboard Club would hold a debrief on the events and continue to support female athletes.

She said the role of GB Surfing was to promote the sport as inclusive and "ensure women get the best equal treatment in their aspirations".

Surf coach Dan Harris' daughter witnessed the incident

Dan Harris' teenage daughter witnessed the incident.

Mr Harris, who is one of the coaches of the Channel Island's nine-strong home nation team that travelled to Thurso, said: "She was very shocked.

"She's one of the three young Jersey girls who were in home nation squad on one of their first major competitions and were very taken back by the scenes that they witnessed."

He added: "I'm personally very angry. It's not good for competitive surfing."