GB Surfing is delighted to announce the appointment of two-time British National Champion, Luke Dillon, as Performance Coach, leading on the day-to-day coaching of all UK Sport funded athletes.
Luke joins GB Surfing and makes the transition from athlete to coach as one Britain’s most successful surfers. A two-time British National Champion, four-time English Champion, European Junior Tour winner and a Top 20 ISA World Games finisher, Luke will bring considerable competitive experience and knowledge to the team.
As well as managing the day-to-day coaching of the Progression Squad, Luke will lead on all UK-based training activity, squad planning for the winter camps, and athlete reviews. He will also play a lead role in the preparation for the 2024 ISA World Surf Games in Puerto Rico and beyond.
The Progression Squad will be made up of male and female athletes identified by GB Surfing as potential future Olympic medal surfers. The selection criteria for athletes to be considered for the Progression Squad is available on the website, and Luke, along with an expert selection committee will select and announce the surfers in the coming weeks.
The appointment of Luke highlights GB Surfing’s desire to develop and nurture British talent, putting the facilities, guidance and support in place to produce Olympic medal-winning teams. Luke will be enrolled in the UK Sport Athlete to Coach programme as well as receiving high-level mentoring from the UK Sport system to help him with his transition from elite athlete to coach.
Talking about his appointment, Luke said: “I am incredibly excited to start my coaching journey, it is something I have always wanted to do, and I am grateful to Dan and the GB Surfing team for giving me the opportunity.
“This is a new era for surfing in Great Britain, and I know we have some amazing young athletes coming through with the ability to do some special things on the world stage. I know I have got lots to learn as a coach, but there is a huge opportunity for us to create something positive that can last for decades, and that we can all be incredibly proud of.”
Talking about the appointment of Luke, GB Surfing Executive Performance Director, Dan Hunt, said: “Luke is incredibly well liked and well respected in the sport, both in the UK and Internationally, and after multiple conversations with him, it is clear his knowledge, experience and desire to help shape the next generation of British surfers will be a massive asset to us.
“Like GB Surfing, Luke is at the beginning of a very exciting journey, and we believe nurturing our own talent and giving them the tools and support they need will be the best way to build a sustainable elite development programme that ensures long-lasting success.”
Luke will report directly to Dan Hunt, Executive Performance Director, and will initially balance his new role with his surfing. If therefore deemed necessary at any camps or competitions, GB Surfing will bring in additional coaching to ensure they have the correct provision.