Meet Tyler Littlejohns, just 16 and already a Champion Body Boarder.

Tyler left The Roseland School last month after finishing his GCSE’s and is helping us keep our gardens at Lower Barns looking beautiful. We are very proud of our gardens.

We all know how many lovely things there are to do in Cornwall in perfect summer weather, walkings, hiking, picnics, the woods, the beach, the vast array of gardens on offer. Body Boarding has been a fast growing sport. Not all of us aim to be professional as Tyler does, but it is a water sport open to all of us which is great fun, refreshing, inspiring and very invigorating.

Many of us believe that the north coast beaches are where there surf is and that it’s flat on the south coast. Tyler’s story shows a different side.

His love of body boarding began 4 years ago, initially taught and inspired by his stepdad Ross, just proving it’s not just young people who love this sport. Lucky enough to live close to the beach at the beautiful village of Gorran, near Mevagissey, this is where he rode most of his early waves. Tyler says that he actually prefers the south coast when the conditions are good and his favourite waves are at Porthleven. He likes a reef break best, which is a hollow wave. See the vimeo footage link. Sometimes the south coast means you may just have to wait a bit longer for the waves. North coast beach favourites are Mother Ivy’s and Tolcarne.

We love all that Cornwall has to offer young people, and the positive energy is creates. It’s easy to imagine the adrenaline rush Tyler feels when he rides a big wave and the positive feeling of being out doing something so great on his own.

Tyler is emerging from Cornwall as a star. Last month he took 1st prize in the Mens Division in Wales. He was 1st in the Tolcarne Wedge Competition, 5th on the Mens Tour and 2nd in the Under 18’s. Amazing when he is just 16.

If you are interested in having a go, here is some advice from Tyler, “it’s great fun for all sorts of people but make sure you stay between the flags, there won’t be any rips there”. The conditions do depend on the wind, and he watches http://magicseaweed.com/ to see the forecast. He recommends hiring gear from The Pit Surf Shop at St Merryn http://www.surf-the-pit.co.uk/.

It is so good to hear that Tyler is aiming high. He wants to be a professional, and get on the World Tour, despite the challenges in coming from the UK. Picking up more sponsors at this stage is vital, so if any of you out there are interested, please contact Tyler through us on 01726 844881.

Tylor video