Andy rises to challenge with third place at Europeans

 

Portrush Surf Kayaker, Andy McClelland, is celebrating after finishing among the medals yet again at the European Surf Kayak Championships last week.

The former World and European Junior champion was thrilled to finish third in the long boat category and fifth in the short boat having made the step up to the senior ranks.

Over 50 competitors took part in the event, which was held along side the Ocean Spirit Festival in Santa Cruz, Portugal, with some travelling from as far away as Brazil and Australia.

It was a very challenging field, so understandably Andy was delighted to finish with a medal: “The week long contest had great surf throughout with some days providing big and challenging conditions,” he told Times Sport. “I surfed really well all week. It is a long and difficult contest so you have to keep your head down and take each round as it comes.

“Leading up to the contest I didn’t have as ...more