Bursting onto the scenes this year is 19 year old Rosie Edwards. British based paddler has dominated recent races including a stand out performance at the Eurochallenge 2024. Surfski life talks to Rosie about her evolution into the sport from surf lifesaving and her goals for the next 2 seasons!
Hi Rosie, Can you introduce yourself!
I’m a 19 year old surf ski paddler from Penzance, UK. I come from a Surf life saving background in which I enjoyed the ski aspect of the sport more. At the age of 16 I’d never heard of ocean racing, until covid hit and my coach, Scott Wood at Aquasport international lent me a surf ski for lockdown individual training, My first Surf ski race was a virtual time trial using garmin/ strava results, where prizes were sent in the post! Here in Cornwall Im blessed with miles of fantastic coastline for both flat and downwind paddling.
What do you paddle?
My favourite surf ski is my NK nitro 600, I absolutely love how easy it is to manoeuvre and surf on a downwind, whilst also being stable and insanely quick on a flat water !
I love how the Nordic kayak range has boats to suit everyone no matter their ability… plus they come in pink 💗 Also the fact it only weighs 8kg which means I can carry it with one hand !
How was your experience at the Worlds in Australia?
Racing in Australia this year was an incredible experience, to be on the start line with world class paddlers was an achievement in itself. The race itself was a great downwind finale after a hot and flat shaw and partners race week. And I was very pleased with my result. The experience I gained gave me the confidence to train and race in South Africa for 3 months before flying to Eurochallenge. Which is where I achieved my highest international result. The Eurochallenge is my all time favourite event, it’s incredibly well organised and the local paddlers are so friendly and always willing to help.
Every year it attracts paddlers from all around the world, not only for its great course but it’s prize money for top 6 of each gender, meaning there’s always a highly competitive field. Surf ski world championships 2026 held here, will definitely be a spectacular trip!
How was the Eurochallenge?
This year we were blessed with more wind than in recent years, starting with a 200+ paddler mass start off Villa Joyosa beach which certainly drew in the crowds. The first 8KM was a technical side on stretch, until passing Benidorm Island, from there the conditions lined up perfectly creating a lovely downwind till Altea. I was incredibly happy with my results after a close finish, my first big international open podium position and u23 win!
The following day was a lifesaving sprint event in the nelo 510s, some hard fun racing with lots of trips and falls created a brilliant almosphete on the beach, Once again was super happy with my race as previous years I’d never gotten higher than a 5th however managed to take the win!
Is the Eurochallenge your favourite race?
Although my favourite race is definitely the Eurochallenge my top surf ski spot is Cape Town, I was extremely fortunate to spend 5 months this winter training and racing there alongside the best paddlers in the world. What an experience fro; arriving at the first session my paddle snapped on a downwind.
On my second session I had to have myself and my boat physically picked up out the water after my body hadn’t quite accustomed to the 5:45am start. Then the third session which finally reduced me to tears was not being able to stay on through the waves, with the whole Orka squad watching wondering what useless European had turned up. I did redeem myself by taking the SA open lifesaving championship win before I left.
What are your 2024 / 2025 goals?
My goal this year is to make top 5 at u23 world surf ski championships in Madeira, improving from my 8th last year. My long term goal, when I’m nearer 23 is to take the European title and make the podium at world surf ski champs in Tahiti 2026. At the moment I’m just enjoying travelling around the world, wherever surf ski takes me, visiting places I wouldn’t see otherwise and making new friends world wide. Another goal of mine is to encourage the number of females in the sport, especially young girls as it’s traditionally been male dominated. For example the drop of in Lifesaving for 15-17 year old girls is extremely high, and if I can show them that any age in any country can develop skills and have fun, then this would be great for the sport.
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