Wave of popular support for the SNP (that's the Surfing Nationalist Party)

The Scottish Surfing Federation (SSF) which reformed in 2006 hopes to offer a new generation of surfers the chance to compete internationally, starting with European events next year.

SSF officials are confident the move will be backed by its members at its AGM on Saturday after which they will seek a national sponsor and possibly support from the Scottish Government.

At present the International Surfing Association (ISA) does not recognise the SSF and insists surfers compete in a British team.

However, the SSF says there has been a lack of support from the British Surfing Association (BSA) in Scotland and there are no Scottish managerial staff or competitors in the BSA team.

It also points out that the ISA allows Hawaii to compete in international competitions separately from the US.

In addition, the other large international body, the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), which runs the world tour and the world qualifying series competition in Thurso annually, does recognise the SSF and allows Scotland to be represented in its competitions.

SSF president Chris Noble said a Scottish team last competed in the early 1990s. "It would be really good to get a new generation of Scottish surfers competing again in a national team," he said. "There are a lot more people surfing in Scotland nowadays but they don't have that competition scene as we did previously.

"This would allow surfers in Scotland to compete at international level and go on to try to compete for the British team in future if they wanted."

He said no Scottish surfer currently appears in the GB team and BSA qualifying competitions are mainly held in the south west of England, making it difficult for Scottish competitors to take part.

Mark Boyd, an SSF area representative in the Moray Firth, said the standard of surfing is now high enough to consider entering international events.

"If successful we would have a long-term view to enter an ISA event. Currently the ISA doesn't recognise Scotland or the SSF as it claims to follow an Olympic structure for its events. However, it allows Hawaii to participate independently from the USA, so when we are ready to enter a team in one of its events we would like to have this option."

"I feel the general consensus amongst the SSF is that they would like to see Scotland represent itself at international level, just like we can do in most other sports."

SURF TALK

WHETHER you are a grommet, a kook or even a shubie, you will want to know some surfing terms.

AMPED – Looking forward to surfing or excited doing it.

BARREL (or TUBE) – when a wave is hollow as it is breaking.

CARVING – turning on a wave.

DUCK DIVING – diving under an oncoming wave when paddling out.

GROMMET – a young surfer.

KOOK – a beginner or someone not very good at surfing.

MEN IN GREY SUITS – sharks.

SHUBIE – a person who has all the right clothes and equipment but doesn't surf.

TURTLE ROLL – technique for getting a longboard out though a breaking wave.

WASHING MACHINE – being spun around underwater by a wave.