A TAVISTOCK College sixth form student has reached the final round of a prestigious national windsurfing competition.
Sam Sills, a 16-year-old A-level student and world champion windsurfer, is one of just five sportsmen to make it to the public vote in the quest to be named UK Windsurfing Association Windsurfer of the Year.
Sam said: 'It would be really good to win it but it's really cool just to be on that list with all those pros. I couldn't believe it seeing all of them and me at the bottom, it looked amazing. I just need people to vote. They're counting the votes and announcing it this weekend.'
Sam won the boys' Bic Techno Under 17 World Championships in Weymouth this August, having achieved his first world title in Spain in 2007. He began windsurfing aged just nine after watching windsurfers speeding past while out sailing and being inspired to give it a go.
'I was about ten when I started competing, it's quite young I think,' he said. I just do it because I love it. In the summer I have competitions or go surfing every weekend but I still train throughout the winter.
'I have to do lots of fitness training so it's great the college has got the new gym. When they applied for funding they included my name in the bids to help get grants.'
Sam's travelling and competing is funded by sponsors Tushingham, Starboard, the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and Predict Wind, allowing the student to focus on training and his A levels in physics, chemistry, biology and product design.
'I want to get a good job and go to university as well as windsurfing,' said Sam. I hope to go pro in the future and maybe go to the Olympics.'
Sam's 13-year-old sister, Saskia, is boy's and girls' Bic Techno Under 15 World Champion, after beating her twin, Imogen, into second place in the girls' competition.
You can vote for the UK Windsurfing Association Windsurfer of the Year at or by calling 01993 811181.