Barton first Brit to reach WSL Challenger Series

Alys Barton says she is "ecstatic" to become the first British surfer to qualify for the WSL (World Surf League) Challenger Series.

The 21-year-old finished second in a regional qualifier in Morocco to secure the ranking points needed to earn her spot.

The WSL Challenger Series is the second tier of the WSL pyramid and serves as the pathway to qualification for the elite Championship Tour.

Barton will compete in five different events across the world, beginning her campaign in South Africa in July.

"The emotions of finals day were really overwhelming," she told BBC Sport Wales.

"It's fantastic to be able to come back to the Gower, to Swansea and to say I am the first British surfer to be on the Challenger Series."

British surfers Patrick Langdon-Dark and Sky Brown previously had one-off event wildcards to compete on the Challenger Series, but Barton is the first Briton to qualify for the whole series.

"I was sitting in 12th when we arrived in Morocco," added Barton.

"I went out there going, okay let's just get through the event, I want to win the event and anything after is a bonus.

"I had no idea going into the semi-final that morning that I had to win that heat to be on the Challenger Tour.

"I had my mum, and everyone watching, writing down the ranking points I needed to qualify.

"It was such a surreal moment when I qualified."

Barton says she caught the surfing bug when she first competed in the Welsh nationals, coming fifth out of five in the final.

"I was over the moon, I got so excited by that and after that I just kept competing and entering competitions.

"It was a changing point in my life where I was like I really enjoy this, the competitive environment, being under pressure, to win or to lose is such an incredible feeling.

"From there we did the UK surf pro tour at the time and just kept going and I got better and better.

"I ended up eventually winning the British nationals and the English nationals and from there European junior champion."

Media caption,

British surfing star Barton embracing all environments for success

'Full penguin mode'

Barton hopes she can be a shining light on the UK surfing scene.

"It's really nice to have that opportunity to go away and show British surfing is evolving.

"I'm so proud to be that driver for British surfing and to be the first to ever do this, it's such a great opportunity."

The Swansea-born surfer believes the colder conditions of training in the UK can give her an edge on the other competitors.

"I think being from the UK you're more driven, you want it a bit more.

"You're training in harsh conditions all the time so I definitely think it gives you an edge in the competitions.

"Back here in winter it's quite harsh conditions so your hands are going numb most of the time so you can't even open the car door when you get out but it's fantastic.

"We're wearing hoods gloves, boots, full wetsuits so you're in full penguin mode really."

Barton was quick to champion her local community, with her family opening a surf school at Rhossili Bay as they look to inspire the next generation of surfers.

"Llangennith and Langland are my local breaks and it's really nice to have such a community back here.

"We're always in the water, when there's surf we're in one or two times a day.

"Alongside that we're in the gym three times a week training, working on our strength and conditioning."

Barton admits surfing takes a toll on the body.

"It's the most demanding sport you could probably do," she added.

"Not a lot of people think about it when you jump on a board and paddle around but it's really quite hard.

"If you ever go surfing you'll realise - the aftermath on your body, you'll have aches and pains for a couple of days - but it's a fantastic sport and training alongside it definitely helps me."

Olympic ambitions

Having reached one milestone in British surfing Barton has her targets set on even more achievements:

"I think making the Olympics definitely is a huge dream of mine," she said.

"I would love to represent Great Britain on the Olympic stage, I think every athlete loves that feeling of just going wow I've made it, I've done this.

"Making the Champions Tour would be another fantastic thing to do, but the Challenger Series as well, that competitive stage.

"I'm there now competing with the world's best and I can't wait for that opportunity."