indu Teen Athlete Sponsorship Programme

Lila Skinner

Key facts:

Age: 15
Sport: Surfing

Instagram: @lila_skinner2

How did you get into surfing? 

"I started surfing when I was 3 years old. One of my earliest memories was watching the World Surf League Tour live on tv and I watched the women’s and I was like that’s what I want to do when I’m older! I really got into surfing on a family holiday to Barbados on one of Lukas’s old surfboards at Freights Bay in a pink life jacket, I loved tandem surfing with my dad too."

What do you love about your sport?

"I love that I can surf with my friends without it being a competition, we just have fun and I meet so many new friends all around the world. It’s also given me opportunities to travel the world doing what I love and has given me the privilege of surfing for my country with the best team mates. I am so grateful for my family and the best sponsors supporting my dreams."

What is your proudest sporting achievement(s) to date?

"2024 was such a great year for me, I felt good and my surfing has progressed so much in the last couple of years. I actually was so proud to have some amazing wins and some really good results in European and world events.

I think my proudest moment was winning both the U14 & U16 English Nationals, alongside that I was picked to represent England in the European and World championships."

Any future goals and aspirations?

"My main goal for 2025 is to have lots of fun traveling and surfing with my friends and family!!! Surfing isn’t just a sport, it’s my life and it keeps me happy and healthy, the sea and surfing waves is my happy place. And I’d love to be selected to represent my country again at the ISA World Surfing Games."

Photo credits: Kevin Hamer