​The ocean has always felt like a magical realm to me, says Cam Treble, who competed in the English Para Surfing Open in Cornwall. He began para surfing—where a disabled rider uses a board—after an accident left him partially paralyzed, and he describes the event as epic. Treble expresses gratitude to the incredible volunteers at Fistral Beach in Newquay and notes that before his accident a year ago, he enjoyed a wide range of ocean activities, including free diving, spear fishing, surfing, and kite surfing.
Surfing England reported that Abbie Potts and Finn Jones, both part of the Team England Para Development Squad, earned medals during Saturday’s competition. The organization also extended a special shout-out to Treble for keeping pace with his rivals despite it being only his second time para surfing. “It’s absolutely epic,” Treble said, highlighting the support network around him as “amazing.” He urged others considering adaptive sports to give it a try, adding, “Worst case, you get a bit wet. Best case, you catch some good waves, have an amazing time, and meet some incredible people.”
Surfing England described Treble as a promising prospect within the England para surfing community and expressed hope that we will see much more of Cameron in the future. The event fostered a brilliant atmosphere, with athletes displaying camaraderie and volunteers playing a vital role in supporting them. The organization remarked that, given the standard on display, the future of English para surfing appears brighter than ever. Athletes had traveled from far and wide to compete, and across every division the surfers delivered impressive performances.
Jack Patching of Surfing England commented that para surfing opens sport access for people with disabilities. The event featured nine classifications, including divisions for visual impairments and spine injuries, as well as seated, standing, and kneeling formats, underscoring a broad spectrum that invites broad participation. All results from the event are available online.
For more Cornwall news, listen to the latest updates, and follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook, and Instagram. If you have a story idea, email spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Surfing England notes a blind surfer’s silver at the world championships as part of our broader coverage of Cornwall.