Poole Coach in Electrical Competes for Fourth Consecutive Year in Paralympic Surfing

At Bournemouth and Poole College, we have a Paralympian in our sights – and Mark Hagger - who works as an Electrical Progress Coach in the Construction department at the Poole campus – has just defended his English title for a fourth year. 

As Men’s Prone 2 (Assisted) Surfer in the English Championships, Mark has more than made his way in surfing, having initially won the title in 2021 during lockdown; which he has kept in 2022 and 2023. 

Mark has also competed in the Welsh Championships (winner in 2022) coming 2nd last year. He was also a Quarter-finalist in the International Para Surfing World Championships (2022 and 2023). His next championship will be to compete again internationally in the World Championships at Huntington Beach, Surf City in California, from the 3rd – 9th of November, where he bravely hopes he will win the competition. Or at the very least gain a podium position. Mark was given the honour of being made England captain last year and the team were very proud to come 4th overall in the world. The highest ranking of any surfing England team.

Mark is no stranger to surfing. He first started surfing at 14 years old in 1987. Whilst he was interested in it, it was not until later in life that he made his way to English champion heights following his diagnosis of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Assisted surfing means Mark has help to get pushed into the wave and caught again at the end of the wave.

Mark says: ‘Sport is a leveller’, whilst explaining that the costs to attend the world championships can sometimes be between £2.5-£3k and he is hoping to raise sponsorship in future, as he has taken these costs himself in the past. He enjoys speaking with and meeting surfing friends from all over the world, including Australia, Puerto Rico and Israel. 

Although surfing unfortunately didn’t make the selection for the 2028 Olympics in the USA. There has now been a petition raised with some of the world’s top surfers backing the bid, plus the general public. Mark said: “There is still hope we can make it!”

A fantastic video about Mark’s surfing made by colleagues can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sYG9fYz1p8 which is a great 4.5-minute snapshot of what it is like to get in the water and be a Prone 2 surfer. 

Best of luck Mark, and we’ll be rooting for you in November this year!