Meet Britain's coolest family - who all won podium places at the national SURFING championships together
SWNS
2023-05-17
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Meet Britain's coolest family - who all won podium places at the national SURFING championships after entering together.
Dad Martin Connolly, 46, mum Annika, 44, and their children Kira, ten, and Seb, 14, surf as a family on a regular basis and even use their holidays to catch waves.
The family of four all recently received medals in separate categories at the English National Surfing Championships.
Although the children have been surfing since they were just four-years-old, this is the first competition they have all entered together.
Annika said: "We are just so proud of ourselves, but especially proud of the kids. Me and Martin love surfing so much and the fact that the kids love it too is great.
"I haven't competed in about ten years, but I just thought since we'll all be there I may as well enter.
"On the day it was so lovely to have the whole family there. The fact we were all supporting eachother was amazing.
"When we were surfing the kids we're on the beach cheering us on. Getting them ready for their heats in between our own was a bit hectic but it was a lovely day.
"We've all got out medals. Kira's going to take hers into school assembly tomorrow and Seb's school is really supportive to."
Annika came second in the Women's Masters, Martin came third in the over 45s, Kira came second in the under 12s and Seb came third in the under 14s.
Annika and Martin run Discovery Surf School in Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, where the family are from.
The couple met eachother through surfing 27 years ago as both of their dad's were also avid surfers.
They have been riding the waves together ever since and are "so happy" they are now able to share their passion with their children.
The family have visited surf spots all over the world together including Portugal, Barbados and Costa Rica.
Annika added: "It's the kids that enthuse me as they love it and they've got so much talent.
"The kids learnt to swim at around aged two and then both started learning to surf aged four.
"We run a surf school, so we've got all the kit ready. We make a living out of it but it's also our passion.
"We go surfing together all the time, it's our favourite thing to do as a family. Now that Kira is a little bit older she's got more confidence as well so we can go out in the same conditions.
"They'll both be better than me and Martin in the future - my son is already better than me!
"They've definitely got the desire to keep going. Surfing is one of those sports that is really inclusive and great for families. We get lots of families coming to the surf school to do it together.
"It's our favourite thing to do as a family.
"The kids have a few more competitions coming up this year, but there's not as many opportunities for us oldies so we might have to wait until next year for our next event together."
Dad Martin Connolly, 46, mum Annika, 44, and their children Kira, ten, and Seb, 14, surf as a family on a regular basis and even use their holidays to catch waves.
The family of four all recently received medals in separate categories at the English National Surfing Championships.
Although the children have been surfing since they were just four-years-old, this is the first competition they have all entered together.
Annika said: "We are just so proud of ourselves, but especially proud of the kids. Me and Martin love surfing so much and the fact that the kids love it too is great.
"I haven't competed in about ten years, but I just thought since we'll all be there I may as well enter.
"On the day it was so lovely to have the whole family there. The fact we were all supporting eachother was amazing.
"When we were surfing the kids we're on the beach cheering us on. Getting them ready for their heats in between our own was a bit hectic but it was a lovely day.
"We've all got out medals. Kira's going to take hers into school assembly tomorrow and Seb's school is really supportive to."
Annika came second in the Women's Masters, Martin came third in the over 45s, Kira came second in the under 12s and Seb came third in the under 14s.
Annika and Martin run Discovery Surf School in Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, where the family are from.
The couple met eachother through surfing 27 years ago as both of their dad's were also avid surfers.
They have been riding the waves together ever since and are "so happy" they are now able to share their passion with their children.
The family have visited surf spots all over the world together including Portugal, Barbados and Costa Rica.
Annika added: "It's the kids that enthuse me as they love it and they've got so much talent.
"The kids learnt to swim at around aged two and then both started learning to surf aged four.
"We run a surf school, so we've got all the kit ready. We make a living out of it but it's also our passion.
"We go surfing together all the time, it's our favourite thing to do as a family. Now that Kira is a little bit older she's got more confidence as well so we can go out in the same conditions.
"They'll both be better than me and Martin in the future - my son is already better than me!
"They've definitely got the desire to keep going. Surfing is one of those sports that is really inclusive and great for families. We get lots of families coming to the surf school to do it together.
"It's our favourite thing to do as a family.
"The kids have a few more competitions coming up this year, but there's not as many opportunities for us oldies so we might have to wait until next year for our next event together."
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