0:00:02 > 0:00:03You ready?
0:00:18 > 0:00:22Hey. I'm Iona and I'm totally in love with surfing.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25I live in the most northern part of mainland Scotland,
0:00:25 > 0:00:26which can be freezing,
0:00:26 > 0:00:29with my mum, my dad and my little brother, Craig.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34When I'm not hanging out with them or studying for my exams,
0:00:34 > 0:00:36I'm training for the biggest challenge of my life -
0:00:36 > 0:00:37the World Surf Championships
0:00:37 > 0:00:39in the Azores, Portugal.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44It's going to be tough because I've only been surfing for two years
0:00:44 > 0:00:45and I'm still just a grom.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50I'll be up against primo surfers who can rip.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53And the waves in the Azores are completely different
0:00:53 > 0:00:56to what I'm used to. They're going to be totally gnarly.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58OK, to be honest with you,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00me and the rest of Team Scotland are the underdogs
0:01:00 > 0:01:02in the World Surf Championships.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Like, seriously the underdogs.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06But just because I don't think I can win
0:01:06 > 0:01:08doesn't mean I'm not going to try my best.
0:01:13 > 0:01:14Surf's up.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42SHE LAUGHS
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Since it's a pretty small town up here,
0:01:52 > 0:01:54everybody's excited to hear what we're up to.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Today I'm meeting with a journalist from the local newspaper
0:01:57 > 0:02:01about Team Scotland qualifying for the World Championships.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- Hi, Iona, how you doing?- I'm good, yeah, yourself?- Nice to meet you.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Thanks very much for meeting me. Congratulations on qualifying.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- Thank you very much. - First time you've qualified for the
0:02:10 > 0:02:11World Championships in the Azores.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14In terms of your career, how big a moment is this for you?
0:02:14 > 0:02:16It's definitely the biggest thing I've ever done in my whole life
0:02:16 > 0:02:18regarding surfing. Even in Scotland,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21we've never sent a junior team off to something like this before,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23so it's a massive moment for everyone.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Representing your country on the world stage...
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- Slightly nerve-racking? - Yeah, it is pretty nerve-racking.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32I've not really thought about it too much yet since it does seem quite a
0:02:32 > 0:02:36while away but it'll come round fast and I'm pretty sure I'll start
0:02:36 > 0:02:37feeling the nerves then.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40And what would be a good result at the World Surfing Championships?
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Even just getting through a heat or anything would be massive to me.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47I've got five months to train so I need to get in as much surfing
0:02:47 > 0:02:49as I can between now and September.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55This is the centre of my universe -
0:02:55 > 0:02:57our surf garage,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00a great place to store our wetsuits and boards and also hang out while
0:03:00 > 0:03:02we're waiting for good surf...
0:03:04 > 0:03:07..where all the surfers follow the three rules of surfing -
0:03:07 > 0:03:09one, never surf alone...
0:03:11 > 0:03:13..two, never surf alone...
0:03:15 > 0:03:17..and three, never surf alone.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21Nice moves, Robbie!
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- There's no better feeling than that first...- First unbroken wave.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Aw! I still remember my first one.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38That's when I got hooked.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40First clean wave and I was like, "Yeah, I'm not stopping this."
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Yeah. I don't really think there's, like, any other feeling like it.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45You kind of feel like you're floating at some times.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Even though you're probably, like, always touching the water.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51It's kind of like... You've got the power of the earth behind you,
0:03:51 > 0:03:52it's the thing that's pushing it forward.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- Yeah, definitely.- If we didn't have each other, we probably wouldn't be
0:03:55 > 0:03:58where we are today cos... I mean, that's... It just started off
0:03:58 > 0:04:01with messing about at the beach with a surf board and it turned
0:04:01 > 0:04:05into everyone pushing each other, pushing each other's limits.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06Surfing has definitely taken over our lives,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09even though water can be freezing up here.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12But when the waves are good like they are out the east today,
0:04:12 > 0:04:13the cold water doesn't matter.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Thurso East is one of my top surfing spots in Scotland.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23It's just across from our surf garage
0:04:23 > 0:04:26and when the weather's right, the waves are first-class reef breaks.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Well, surfing cold waves, it makes it a lot harsher,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37a lot more hard-core. I mean,
0:04:37 > 0:04:39being hit by a wave with such force,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41especially in the cold waters up here,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44can also be described as being like hit with bricks.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46If feels like a massive weight just coming down on you.
0:04:57 > 0:04:58But when summer comes to Thurso,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01the sea turns calm and there's no waves to practise on,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04so I need to surf as much as I can right now.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Connor and Robbie are also part of Team Scotland,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31so it's great to know I won't be alone in the Azores.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34Phoebe is not competing this time but she's got a lot of experience in
0:05:34 > 0:05:35surf competitions.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Did you find it much different when you went away?
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Well, when I went to Peru,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48I still wore a 5mm wetsuit here cos I didn't have a thinner one.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Oh, right. Must have been cooking in it.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54I was so hot, but the water was definitely so much warmer.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57There's also, like, way more wildlife in it.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Like, we had dolphins with us in the waves.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03I feel like I might be a lot more vulnerable with not a wetsuit on
0:06:03 > 0:06:06or a thinner wetsuit on cos quite often wetsuits are also used
0:06:06 > 0:06:09cos they're very buoyant. They can take you up to the surface quicker.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12So I think with a thinner wetsuit on, going to the warmer waters,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14you're more likely to sink, which is kind of worrying me a little bit.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Sometimes, the totally unexpected things happen,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19so you just have to be fully prepared for everything.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Look, see the forecast.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Good swell direction, like. Check that out.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Wind drops as well so it should be quite nice.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Offshore.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35It's harder now to find good waves and we're hoping there might be some
0:06:35 > 0:06:39out west. Luckily, I have the greatest mum in the world.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43MUSIC: Out Of The Black by Royal Blood
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Can you see the waves from here?
0:06:59 > 0:07:00- Yeah, it's breaking.- Oh!
0:07:01 > 0:07:02Yeah, it's breaking.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Oh, look at the river mouth.- Whoa!
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- Look at the river.- River mouth!
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Yeah!
0:07:10 > 0:07:11Woo!
0:07:11 > 0:07:13It's pumping!
0:07:13 > 0:07:18MUSIC DROWNS CONVERSATION
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Go, go, go! Go!
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Looking for waves is a huge part of my life but if I find good surf,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35it's always worth it.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37When I'm riding a wave, it's amazing.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38It gives me a massive adrenaline rush.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40It's hard to describe but it's really cool.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44There's a saying that goes, "Only the surfer knows the feeling."
0:08:04 > 0:08:05That was crazy!
0:08:20 > 0:08:21Yo! So,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24I just got back from school and I've now officially finished all of my
0:08:24 > 0:08:28exams for this year, so I'm really, really happy about that.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29It's such a relief.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32But I can just forget about it
0:08:32 > 0:08:37and bin it. Not convinced all my exams went great but it won't be
0:08:37 > 0:08:40a while away till I find out so I'll just have to see but...
0:08:41 > 0:08:43No. Very happy.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47But it's not just my exams that are over -
0:08:47 > 0:08:49so are the best wave conditions.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Recently I've just been finding out a bit about the Azores.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07So you can see on this surf map here where we live,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10right at the top of Scotland, here,
0:09:10 > 0:09:15and I can tell from the signs here that it's a world-class wave.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20It's for experienced surfers and the water temperature is freezing cold.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24So we're going to be travelling all the way to
0:09:24 > 0:09:27these islands here
0:09:27 > 0:09:30and it's also some world-class waves.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32The water temperature is quite a bit warmer.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35My grandparents are really fun and cool and have travelled the world
0:09:35 > 0:09:37and have even been to the Azores.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Hopefully they can tell me what to expect when I finally get up there.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42What was the Azores like?
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- It's volcanic.- Mm-hmm.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48And it sits right in the middle of the Atlantic.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53- Is it cold?- No, it was quite hot and the rocks are all black.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55It looks like this, actually. Look.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57This is the rocks here, see?
0:09:57 > 0:10:00And this is what the rest of the place looks like.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03THEY CHUCKLE
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- You've been wanting us to take you places forever.- Yeah.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08You've been complaining about us never taken you anywhere
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- and now you've figured a way of getting there yourself.- Yeah.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- Just surf.- It's a bit nerve-racking for grandparents, though.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- Yeah.- And I think sometimes for Mum, as well,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- when she's standing on the beach watching you.- Yeah.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23She doesn't watch any more. Starting to trust me a little bit, I think.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Yeah. It's got better as you've got older but to begin with,
0:10:25 > 0:10:29we were really scared when we would see you really far out and the waves
0:10:29 > 0:10:31just looked so huge and you looked so tiny.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33I know. A bit more experienced now so I kind of know what to do.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Yeah. But you've always really loved being by the sea, anyway.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Even when you were wee, when we used to take you down to the beach here.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- We couldn't get you to come back up the hill.- Aw.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44You used to be crying all the way up the hill.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Terribly proud of you.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Thanks, Granny and Grandad.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49It's really flat today, though,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52so not going to be getting in the water, I don't think.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54But we've just been skating quite a lot.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Skateboarding really helps with my surf technique.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07It strengthens my core muscles and helps my balance.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10It's also really good fun and something I can do with my little
0:11:10 > 0:11:11brother, Craig.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14He loves it but I have to focus on my training and I managed to get
0:11:14 > 0:11:15in a call with Courtney.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19I'm so stoked.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22She's incredible. One of the best surfers in the world.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26She's been competing internationally since she was 11 years old.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29It's weird speaking to, like, a pro surfer.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Oh, really? I think it's awesome getting to speak from so...
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Like, I'm here New York, you're in Scotland.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- It's pretty rad.- Yeah. - I heard you qualify for the ISAs.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- You're going there?- Yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- It's, like, pretty insane. - Are you excited?- Yeah.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45I've never done a competition like this before.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Going to ISA world was such an amazing experience.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53You have to just go there and seriously take it all in.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- There's a lot of great talent there.- Yeah.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58I'm sure you're going to have an amazing time.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01So, do you know what the judges are looking for in the competition?
0:12:01 > 0:12:04The standard that the judges always have, it's the speed, power,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- flow and commitment.- Right. - You know, the basic criteria.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- Yeah.- When you read a wave, you want to read it how it should be surfed
0:12:11 > 0:12:15and not over surfing the wave. On a beach break, I find it's important
0:12:15 > 0:12:20- to get your spurt in fast, get it done right off the bat.- 100%, yeah.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21I mean, up here, it's like,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25most of the time it's just point breaks and reef breaks,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27so I'm not really used to surfing beaches at all.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Cos I'm not very good at duckdiving, as well,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31because I don't surf beaches much.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- OK.- That's definitely a downside to my surfing.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37It's just cos up here it's all slabs and reefs, like, rock, mostly.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39But if you're surfing slabs, seriously...
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- IONA LAUGHS - Add that confidence into your
0:12:42 > 0:12:45surfing and believe in yourself because if you're able to take on a
0:12:45 > 0:12:47slab, you can take on the beach.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- Yeah! Oh, yeah. - Just keep dreaming and believing.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- I think that's the most important thing.- Mm-hmm.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56There's a lot to learn at those and you're going to have a great time.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Yeah, awesome, thank you.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00Yeah, no worries.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01- OK, bye.- See ya.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07Oh!
0:13:07 > 0:13:12'This is my surf mentor, Sheila. We go out surfing a lot together.'
0:13:12 > 0:13:15ENGINE STARTS We're fine.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Oh, God!
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Think it's going to be hard finding waves today.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Oh, I know, it's been quite flat this summer.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Yeah. It has. It's not been great.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32So how are you feeling about the Azores?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- I'm hoping it'll push me, like, positively than negatively.- Yeah.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38I mean, there's some really, really skilled surfers out there.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Aw, totally and I think it's going to be amazing.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44The first thing to do is just basically get waves.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46- Yeah.- I know it sounds really basic.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49I think my worst nightmare is that it's, like,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52so big and messy and dumpy that I can really make it out back.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55I'll just be stuck! I'll be inside just getting battered
0:13:55 > 0:13:56by the white water.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Sheila and I went surfing for waves for hours today but still we didn't
0:14:02 > 0:14:06find anything. It's been over a week now and there's still no waves.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07You guessed it - flat again.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09And it's still flat.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Still flat. Flat.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14So, yeah, it's been flat for weeks and weeks now and I haven't really
0:14:14 > 0:14:15managed to get any training at all
0:14:15 > 0:14:18and the competition is right round the corner.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Just have to pray for some waves to come soon.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I just got my exam results in the post.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Really, really happy with the results.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29I don't think it could've gone really any better for me.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30It's good.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32And there's more good news.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34We've finally got some good waves.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Whoa! Did you just discover that?
0:14:58 > 0:14:59No, I've done it for years.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Hold it like this and then go like that.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Surfing can take over my life but sometimes I need time to hang out
0:15:08 > 0:15:09with my friends and appreciate
0:15:09 > 0:15:12that Thurso is a very special place for me.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Do you know what I actually like about living in Thurso?
0:15:14 > 0:15:15Yeah?
0:15:15 > 0:15:17As stupid as it sounds, it kind of like...
0:15:17 > 0:15:19It makes you put your imagination to the test.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Like, we have to find so many things to do.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Everyone says they want to move away straightaway. But I think really...
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- No.- No.- I like going to, like, cities for a few days.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- And then that's enough. - And then it's so nice to come home.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32When I go, like, away on holiday,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34I always miss home towards the last few days.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38I'm always just like, "Oh, I really want to come back."
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Before I started surfing, I was like, "No, I want to get out of here
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- "as fast as I can.- But then you've done so well in your surfing
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- for being here.- Mm-hmm.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49So, how do you feel, like, having one of the best places in the world
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- to surf up here?- I know.- And you have it.- At first, I didn't really
0:15:52 > 0:15:53think that. I was like,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56"We don't get that good waves. It's just cold." You know what I mean?
0:15:56 > 0:16:00But now I'm realising how good it is I'm just appreciating it so much.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03I'd love to just be able to surf for the rest of my life.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Since the competition is now next week, so time's really,
0:16:11 > 0:16:13really running out and, also, tomorrow,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15it looks like there might be a swell coming so I'm definitely going to
0:16:15 > 0:16:17try and get out and train as much as I can.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Thanks for all supporting me with it.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Oh, it's great. You've been doing it all.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48I didn't think I'd manage to get this far, really.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50So what's the first things that you think you need?
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Oh, well, I just need all the equipment so, I guess, obviously,
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- the surfboards.- Yeah.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57How many are you taking?
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- I think two's probably the best. - Yeah.- Cos one's just...
0:17:01 > 0:17:03it's not very safe. Often in competitions you can break your
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- boards when you're stuck. - Do you need gloves or...?
0:17:06 > 0:17:08I don't think so, no.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11You don't really need boots, either, but I think I'm so used to boots,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13I just don't like the thought of not wearing boots any more.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15It's kind of natural to me, so...
0:17:15 > 0:17:17A kilt for the opening ceremony.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18I'll look quite smart, I think.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20And flags and stickers for Scotland.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21Flags, yeah.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Stickers.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Bring my sunglasses.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- Towels?- Sun cream.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Sun cream.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I won't have you there sticking factor 50 on me the whole time,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36though, so I can actually tan this time, which'll be nice.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- I'll make sure Debbie sticks plenty sun cream on you.- Nah.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- Do they have, like, a washing machine?- Yeah.- OK.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42That's not too bad, then.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- Do you know how to work the washing machine?- No!
0:17:44 > 0:17:47THEY LAUGH
0:18:00 > 0:18:05Welcome back to the 2016 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championships -
0:18:05 > 0:18:08live from Sao Miguel Island in the Azores.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12Almost 400 competitors and over 550 participants.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Please welcome the national team from Scotland.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19MUSIC: Scotland The Brave by Wenches and Rogues
0:18:40 > 0:18:41OK, this is finally it.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Round one.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Oh. I can't believe it.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45Totally flat.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01That's a set. Look how quickly it peaks up.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Watch, keep watching it.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Up it pops. And this is good for you because you could turn.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- You're just like turn, turn, turn.- Yeah.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Come on, let's go and walk up there now.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19I just want to try and take off on that and try and go along it
0:19:19 > 0:19:21and maybe do a wee wiggle and
0:19:21 > 0:19:23hopefully try and finish the wave off a little bit.
0:19:23 > 0:19:24As soon as they get quieter, I'm just going to
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- try and sit on that one's wake. - And use that to calm down.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Just think, "Right, OK, I'm on the top of it, I've got this wave."
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- And just...- Yeah. - ..go for it.- Yeah.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35You know how best how to work it.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Yeah. Yeah, I'll be fine. It's weird, a few days ago I was
0:19:38 > 0:19:40panicking it was going to be too big and now look at it.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45I mean, all these guys, they can still do, like,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48really proper vertical cutbacks on waves
0:19:48 > 0:19:50that are, like, waist high but I can't. I actually can't.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Don't worry about that. Just do what you want to do.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Don't pooh-pooh yourself like you do.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- Don't compare yourself against everybody else.- No.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Yeah, just go with it and just get yourself flushed in and good luck.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Enjoy yourself.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Go, Iona!
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Before I was worried about it being totally extreme -
0:20:16 > 0:20:17and now it's too calm.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20I hope I can ride these weak waves.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- COMMENTATOR:- And from Scotland, in the blue jersey, Iona McLachlan.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25And we're seeing this girl.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29She came here... She has never surfed without her wetsuit
0:20:29 > 0:20:33so she is burning up in her thick wetsuit and her booties
0:20:33 > 0:20:35because that's how she surfs 24/7.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Go, Iona!
0:20:41 > 0:20:43A lot of surfers, you'll find, from the colder climates...
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Here we go. This is Iona on a backhand.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50And Iona McLachlan from Scotland, in blue, in fourth.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Now needing a 3.95 to move into second place.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Just under six minutes remaining in this heat.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59This is going to be Iona's best wave, from Scotland,
0:20:59 > 0:21:01a nice finish and re-entry there.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04So, well done, Iona finally getting to grips with these waves.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06OK, not so great from me.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09I was just a fraction from third place but I learned a lot
0:21:09 > 0:21:11and hopefully I'll do better in the next round.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15It looks like we're going to have another interview.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- Go ahead.- Now, we were talking about you in your wetsuit because surfing
0:21:19 > 0:21:21in Scotland's very cold water, correct?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Yeah. I mean to be able to surf out in Scotland,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26you need, like, 6mm, 5mm wetsuits, so, it's very different.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It was really fun and really different to the waves I'm used to
0:21:29 > 0:21:31back home. It's pretty choppy right now and
0:21:31 > 0:21:34it's not got much power in it. It was really hard. Fun, though.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- Got some waves.- All right, you want to say hi to anybody back home?
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Yeah, I'll say a shout out to some of my friends,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Laura, Rachel, Ellie, Morgan, Eva and I'll say hi to my mum -
0:21:44 > 0:21:47she's all the way in Scotland - and the rest of my family.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49That is not cold water on her face,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52that is sweat from the wetsuit and I know she's dying to get that off
0:21:52 > 0:21:54so we're going to let her go, OK?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Thank you very much. - OK, back over to you guys.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Yes, well she's got another chance, Iona, so hopefully the waves are
0:21:59 > 0:22:02going to pick up and she can put a few more scores up on the board.
0:22:02 > 0:22:03Yeah, and meanwhile...
0:22:05 > 0:22:08PHONE RINGS Hey, Mum.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- Well, it's nice to see you.- Yes.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13It's so hot here. It's like...
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I don't know. I didn't expect it.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18I expected it to be quite a lot cooler.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20It's weird surfing with so many people in the water, though.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Yeah. Not be what you're used to at all.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25No, it's just packed and packed.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Did you look at the people that you're against?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30I know I'm against some country that's, like, CRC.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Whatever that means. Is that Croatia?
0:22:32 > 0:22:34I think that was Cost...
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- Was it Costa Rica? - IONA GROANS
0:22:36 > 0:22:37And you're against Brazil.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Oh, no!
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I've got no chance.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45Not sounding too good, then.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- You'll be fine.- Yeah.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- Go out and have fun.- Mm-hmm. No-one here is like a bad surfer.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Like, I haven't seen one person that doesn't, like, rip.
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Is it inspiring?
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Yeah, kind of.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Kind of inspiring but kind of, like, puts you down a little bit too.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Any word on when your heats are on yet?
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- After tomorrow, the swell starts picking up again.- Yeah.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10And by Wednesday, it's meant to be, like, triple overheads and I really
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- don't want to have to be in that. - Right.- That'll be terrifying.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28The conditions are pretty different today, though.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31It is really rippy. A lot of wind to content with.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34A lot of rip currents, a lot of water moving and if you don't get...
0:23:34 > 0:23:37If you get unlucky, you're going to get taken across the beach.
0:23:37 > 0:23:38Whoa!
0:23:44 > 0:23:47We've already seen some other competitors struggling to get out.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49You'll be fine. Just go and enjoy yourself.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I think these conditions might just be too tough for me.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Welcome back to the beautiful Azure islands here in Portugal.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58There's our heat number three.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02The rapid charge round number one of the girls under 18.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05And how different are these from the main rounds?
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Well, you're nervous energy is a high point.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10You go into the rapid charge and now you realise it's do or die.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15These beach breaks are intense.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18I don't know if I can make it through them to even catch a wave.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26See Iona there. We interviewed her just the other day.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29I think the surf is very challenging for her.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33She's in a very thick wetsuit that she's used to riding in Scotland
0:24:33 > 0:24:36and she looks like...a little distressed there.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39I'm sure the water safety is keeping an eye on her.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40Yeah, tough conditions today.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55We see Iona coming back in on the shoreline area.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Just a little bit too much for her out there
0:24:57 > 0:24:58and she's making the right call.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Yeah, when in doubt, don't go out, that's for sure.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05You were just about out that wee bit there and then...
0:25:06 > 0:25:08How you feeling?
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Er...I think I swallowed some water.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Just get yourself over there.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Over there. Yeah, just to the left a little bit.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18We see Iona, she's going to give it another try.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22She regroups, she probably talked to her coach and her team-mates
0:25:22 > 0:25:23in there and they're properly telling her,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25"Maybe don't go all the way out to the outside.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27"Maybe take some of the inside waves."
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I was so close to getting out but the force of the waves keeps pushing
0:26:17 > 0:26:20me back. I'm not going to give up.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22You're almost in there. You were almost out.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26There's a girl in yellow that's just next to you. Right. In you go.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27And again, and again.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Iona back out in the line-up for Team Scotland.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38She's in the white jersey.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39You've got to admire determination.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Go, Iona!
0:26:56 > 0:26:57Come on!
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Catch this!
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Yes!
0:27:04 > 0:27:07CHEERING
0:27:07 > 0:27:09I did it. I rode that wave.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13OK, only for a brief moment but it was the sweetest and hardest earned
0:27:13 > 0:27:14wave I've ever caught.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- The best wave of the day.- Fantastic.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24I just want to say a big thank you to all the people who helped me
0:27:24 > 0:27:25on the way.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33- Oh-h-h-h...- Scotland!
0:27:33 > 0:27:35That was intense but it's great to be back home.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37And the best thing of all is winter's coming
0:27:37 > 0:27:39and that means one thing...
0:27:39 > 0:27:40awesome surf.