Surfer Sam

15-year-old Sam Hearn moved to the Algarve last year because his parents Sue and Adrian wanted to give him the chance to surf every day.

This was more than a whim! Sam has held the title of English National Champion for the last four years and currently holds the under 16's English National Champion crown. His parents, Adrian and Sue, wanted to give him the best opportunity to excel.

Sam now attends the Aljezur International school and can surf every day, he is currently in the English squad, hoping for selection into the team to compete in the World Juniors in California this October.

Sam moved to Portugal from Exeter, Devon in January 2018, his parents followed in September. Sue tells me; “Sam stayed with our amazing friends Andy and Julia and we went to and fro, to make sure that he liked the school before we gave up our jobs in the electricity industry. ”The family had been coming to the Algarve for 15-years and fell in love with the area a long time ago.

Sam says; “It’s great much better than my school in England and I have lots of friends a few which I sometimes surf with so it’s cool. In my old school, no one surfed because we lived too far away from the sea.”

He missed his Mum and Dad initially; “ I stayed with their friends and they took me surfing as well so it took my mind off of it a bit. I knew it would be worth it in the end.”

Adrian has surfed since he was 17 and from about the age of six Sam was taught by Dad and encouraged by his brothers, Tom, who surfs and Jake, who boogie boards.

“He entered his first completion at the age of eight in Cornwall and came 2nd, we soon realised he had a natural ability and a great love for the sport which we have encouraged ever since.”

In the summer holidays, the family spent most weekends in a caravan in Polzeath but other than that he was lucky if he surfed once a week and in the winter months it could be weeks between a surf.

“His brothers are proud of his progress and it has taken us to some amazing places in the world. He is so humble about his achievements which is an amazing quality in him,” says Adrian. 

Does Sue worry about him as a mother? “So far he has not had any serious injuries but yes when I see him in waves 3 times bigger than him with rocks all around him!!! Yes, I do worry but I have to trust his capabilities.”

I ask Sam what he loves about surfing? “The places it takes you and the people you meet and the feeling of being free in the ocean. My Favourite wave is Arrifana which is only five minutes from where I live. It's great I can surf before school when the surf is good as well. I just enjoy the thrill of improving all the time.”

The selection for the world juniors in October comes from a seven boy squad for his age group, they hold weekends where they are coached and trained but as Sam is in Portugal he sends video clips of him surfing here. The coaches and the manager then make a decision on who they think will represent the UK best. “Hopefully up to now being English Champion you get automatic selection I’m just waiting to hear.”

Competitions are normally four surfers competing in a 15-20 minute heat. This is judged by up to four judges and you can have a maximum of 15 waves with your top two scoring waves counted. The judges look for speed, power and flow on the wave.

“It is very competitive, there are a lot of really good surfers in my age group but we are all really great friends and get on well both in and out of the water.”

Last year Sam competed in the European Surf Championships for the UK where he finished sixth, so hopefully some good times lay ahead for Sam.

@sammy9surfer