The UK's first disabled surf award has been presented to a Cornish schoolboy at an awards ceremony in Newquay.
Louis Sutton, aged 12, a pupil at Pencalenick School in Truro, made history by receiving the honour in recognition of his outstanding performance in competitions during the season.
Speaking after the glittering tenth annual surf awards ceremony, he said: "I can't believe I am the first to pick up this award – I am so pleased."
More than 150 of the UK's surf community packed into the Carnmarth Hotel to see the year's accolades dished out.
The pioneering Wave Project – which offers surf lessons as therapy for disabled youngsters – sponsored the new category. It also sponsored the Inclusive Surf School of the Year award, awarded to Era Adventures, the Surf Instructor of the Year for Children with Special Needs, claimed by Candy Tomkins and also the Surf Volunteer of the Year category, won by Paul Bitmead.
Wave Project co-ordinator Joe Taylor said: "We really wanted to sponsor these categories to show our appreciation to all of those who have supported the Wave Project over the past year. It is also great to see the UK Pro Surf Tour recognise the success of people with disabilities."
Dave Reed, director at the UK Pro Surf Tour, which co-hosted the awards, said: "The awards are a great way of raising the profile of the UK surfing industry.
"We wanted to include the new category this year to highlight the range of participants we have involved in the surf community and how it continues to grow."
