Fourteen-year-old Belgian surfer Kamiel Deraeve won the U16 European championship in golfsurfen at Bundoran, Ireland, sporza.be reported. On the renowned surf spot The Peak, the young athlete from Oostduinkerke outperformed his competitors in the final with two standout waves, capturing the first-ever European youth surf gold medal for Belgium.
Championship Victory at The Peak in Bundoran
The EuroSurf Junior competition brought more than 200 young surfers from 20 countries to the northwest coast of Ireland, lokaalnieuws.online reported. Deraeve handled variable conditions that ranged from small technical waves with wind to sets exceeding two meters. During the opening stages of the contest, the 14-year-old posted a 10.65 score in his first heat. On the third day of competition, he recorded 15.25 points—the highest score of the day in his age division—to secure his path to the semifinals.
Backed by confidence gained from competing at the junior world championships in El Salvador the previous month, Deraeve secured the European title in his signature style. His performance contributed to Belgium’s tenth-place finish in the overall country standings.
Belgium places tenth in final nation rankings
Deraeve was joined in Ireland by fellow Belgian team members Gaston Dheere Gardahaut, Colette Dheere Gardahaut, Lucien Van Godtsenhoven, and Flo Daans, sporza.be reported. The collective results placed Belgium 10th in the final nation rankings.
Outside of this European victory, Deraeve holds multiple Belgian national titles in surfing and previously earned a European silver medal in the U12 category, according to lokaalnieuws.online. When not competing in shortboard golfsurfen, he also rides wing and foil in heavy surf as a team rider for brands including Reedin.
Kamiel Deraeve competes internationally in traditional and foil surfing
Kamiel Deraeve was born in 2012 and competes internationally in both traditional golfsurfen and foil disciplines.
Where did the European youth surfing championships take place?
Where did the European youth surfing championships take place?
The event was held in Bundoran, Ireland, specifically on the well-known surf spot called The Peak.
How many countries participated in the competition?
More than 200 young surfers from 20 different countries traveled to Ireland to compete in the EuroSurf Junior event.
What other Belgian surfers competed alongside the champion?
The Belgian contingent in Ireland also included Gaston Dheere Gardahaut, Colette Dheere Gardahaut, Lucien Van Godtsenhoven, and Flo Daans.
“Dit gevoel is niet te beschrijven, ik had nooit gedacht dat dit zou gebeuren,” reageerde Deraeve. “Ik ben heel gelukkig, ik sta nog te trillen op mijn benen. Ik ben sprakeloos.”
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