The Water Skills Academy Youth Pro Team is two year internship for young stand up paddlers, surfers and lifeguards to develop under the guidance of the WSA and its trainers. The internship will reinforce the environmental messaging of the WSA, its chosen NGOs and partners. Team members will then continue this essential work through their coaching and guiding educating and empowering others.

WSA Pro Team 2021 / 2022

Annabel Page

I am a teen Surf and SUP rider with a particular enjoyment for waves and competitions. I have paddle boarded for 5 years in the cold Northumberland coastline but have also competed down south nationally and more locally with good results.

I have a passion for the ocean and have previously produced an article for surfers against sewage as well as involvements with beach cleans along the Northumberland coast line.Working in a local water sports school I have some teaching and leading experience for both surf and paddle board lessons as well as coast exploration such as coasteering.

But most of all I love exploring the coastal areas around me and learning more about the beautiful oceans that I am privileged enough to be involved with!

Katie Pope

Katie is a paddleboarder from Surrey and an open-water lifeguard who loves spending her time outdoors on her SUP board whenever she gets a chance! She first tried paddle boarding at age 10 and has loved water sports and paddle boarding ever since. She is a member of Team SHAC (Surrey Hills Adventure Company) and started competing with them last year at British SUP club championships and was hoping to compete in the Head of The Dart Stand Up Paddle Challenge, but unfortunately due to Corona this event was cancelled in 2020. She is delighted to become a member of the WSA Youth Pro Team and is excited to share what an amazing and diverse sport paddle boarding is. Katie aspires to become a SUP instructor in the future.

JAMES PRIDDY

I began paddling at the age of 13 after joining a local kayaking group, this kickstarted my love for paddling and a few years later I transferred to sup.
Sup and paddling continues to give me amazing opportunities to travel into a variety of countries, completing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, studying outdoors sports in collage and volunteering at Parc Bryn Bach for events as part of the water safety team. I’m exited to be part of the Water Skills Academy Pro team and looking forward to the future with the WSA.