Sarah on crest of a wave after Cornish surf contest

Although she enjoyed surfing as a child, Sarah Algar, of Cheveley, never imagined that at 56 she would be taking to the waves to compete in a world championship.

But at Cornwall’s Perranporth Beach she managed to finish sixth in the World Bellyboarding Championship, an event which attracted more than 200 entrants, using specially painted boards and many in colourful costumes.

And as well as impressing the judges with her style through the waves, Sarah’s board, specially painted by Newmarket artist Jacquie Jones, was highly commended.

“It’s a bit of a mystery exactly how the competition is judged, but it was great fun,” said Sarah.

All proceeds from the event went to the RNLI.