A PROMISING young surfer from Newgale has set her sights on securing a place in the GB Progression squad.

Josie Hawke, 14, has been an avid surfer since she first dipped her toes into the sport at the age of ten and has competed in competitions across the UK and Europe.

Josie, who has just received the backing of BCRS Business Loans, said: “I’d always been in and out of the water, playing on boogie-boards, and from the moment I started surfing, I was hooked.

“When you surf, it becomes a way of life, and I am now set on doing everything I can to meet the criteria that allows me to be accepted into the GB Progression Squad, which is for surfers at a more senior level who hope to compete in more European and international events.

“I am committed to doing all I can to reach the pinnacle of my career, and to have the backing of BCRS is just fantastic.”

In last year’s 2024 Welsh Surfing National Junior Championships Josie emerged as the standout surfer of the event, achieving an unprecedented feat by defending her titles across three categories: U14, U16, and U18 Girls.

Her exceptional performance was dubbed a "double triple," highlighting her dominance and remarkable consistency in Welsh junior surfing.

BCRS Business Loans, which is working to support the growth of SMEs across the country, is also sponsoring the Welsh Surfing Federation (WSF), supporting a number of events and initiatives, including the main event in the Welsh watersport calendar – the upcoming Welsh National Surfing Championships.

BCRS also supported Josie, a proud member of the Welsh Junior Team, to help her take part in a week-long training event in Lagos, Portugal, which was also supported by BCRS.

Josie’s mum, Izzy Pullin, continued: “We’re incredibly proud of Josie and all that she’s achieved and it’s great to have BCRS’ support.

“Surfing can be an expensive sport – with boards costing in the region of £700, whilst travel and accommodation for competitions can soon run into the hundreds.

“It’s great that BCRS is lending its help to support Josie in her quest to compete in the sport she loves, to the highest of standards.”

Stephen Deakin, Chief Executive at BCRS Business Loans, said: “In the last Welsh Surfing Championships, Josie was hailed as ‘unstoppable’ and ‘the star of the championships’, which speaks volumes for the mark she is making in the sport, and we are so proud to be supporting her on her journey.

“Whilst Wales is blessed with a wonderful coastline, the weather often means that Josie, and other aspiring surfers, have to travel to take part in extensive training periods which can be costly.

“We hope that our support goes some way to help Josie and her family, as she takes the steps towards achieving her goals and we’ll be with her every step of the way.”

Since BCRS was founded as a community development financial institution in 2002, it has provided loans worth more than £90 million to businesses across the West Midlands and Wales. A social impact report for the last financial year showed BCRS lent £5.8m to 72 businesses, safeguarding 675 jobs and creating 186 roles.

To find out more and apply for funding, visit: www.bcrs.org.uk