SIMPSON SETS SIGHTS ON the world’’s best

For 16-year-old Jolyon Simpson, a gruelling training regime and the pressure of competing against men more than double his age, is something the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving champion revels in.

This year Jolyon hopes to continue mixing it with the world’s best, having travelled to Hawaii last year, to compete in the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships.

After qualifying for the Under 29 event Jolyon was the youngest solo entrant (at only 15) over the 53km event that saw him finish in eighth position.

“I enjoy racing with the top guys – the older guys – and being young. A lot of my friends are the same,” he said.

“I like the challenge, there’s a bigger field in Victoria. There’s not a massive number of people in Under 17 it’s always the same group. In the Under 17s, I’d be right up there (with the best) but in the open it’s more of a challenge.”