Professional Big Wave Surfer Andrew 'Cotty' Cotton visits Marland Roundswell 

Marland Roundswell had a very special visitor in June, when professional big wave surfer 'Andrew Cotton' (known as Cotty) came to talk about his career chasing the world's biggest waves. 

Cotty, who comes from North Devon, gave an inspiring presentation about his journey, from Park School, to being one of the world's most respected big wave surfers. He talked about his early career choices (glassing surfboards, plumbing and life guarding) and how there was no career path at the time to become a surfer. Through trial and error, he worked hard to pursue his dream of chasing big waves and cut his teeth pioneering the huge waves which break off the west coast of Ireland. A chance phone call hooked him up an American big wave surfer called Garrett MacNamara who invited Cotty to a place called Nazare in Portugal. Garrett believed that Nazare would produce the biggest waves anywhere in the world (he was proved right). Cotty moved his focus, and his life, to Nazare and began riding waves up to 100 feet high. The global press exposure enabled him to secure sponsorship deals which keep him surfing professionally 15 years later. 

One of the biggest take aways of the talk revolved around failure. Cotty talked about how not giving up when he failed or made mistakes meant that he was able to achieve his dream. He went on to say "the only way to get better at something is to try, fail, and try again. Although you feel at the time you're not making progress, over time you always will"! 

To put into context how big the waves he surfs are, the students were told to imagine looking up at the ceiling of the sports hall (30 feet high) and then add another 2 sports halls on top. That is the height of some waves Cotty has ridden. Obviously, this can come with consequences, and he went on to talk about all of the hours of work and training which go into making him as safe as possible. He demonstrated an inflation vest on a student where you can pull a gas canister, inflate the vest and rise to the surface on big wipe outs. 

It's safe to say that the whole school were mesmerised by the talk and there were loads of questions. Cotty then signed and handed out posters to everyone. 

We are very grateful indeed to Cotty for sparing his time to come and talk to us.