Bournemouth para-surfer Zoe Smith is preparing to take on the world once again, training at Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh ahead of the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Para Surfing Championship in California next month.
A gold medallist in the women’s Stand 2 division at the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship, Zoe’s journey to the top of the sport is a powerful story of resilience, rediscovery and the life-changing power of surfing.
Following a car accident in 2015 that resulted in a below-the-knee amputation, Zoe faced the challenge of rebuilding her life. It was not until around 2021, in the period following Covid-19, that she discovered surfing, a sport that would transform her outlook and help her find a renewed sense of freedom.
What began as a way to feel alive again quickly became something much bigger. Just three years after taking up the sport, Zoe reached the pinnacle of para surfing, winning gold on the world stage in 2024 and establishing herself as one of Britain’s inspiring adaptive surfing talents.
Now, as she prepares for the 11th ISA World Para Surfing Championship, taking place from November 19–22 at DSRT Surf in Palm Desert, California, Zoe is putting in the work at Lost Shore, where consistent, repeatable waves offer an opportunity to refine technique, build confidence and prepare for the demands of international competition.
Zoe Smith said: “After my accident, finding something that made me feel truly alive again was incredibly important. When I discovered surfing, it gave me that feeling back. Being in the water, pushing myself and learning what my body could do was a real turning point for me.
“I only started surfing around 2021, so to win a world championship gold medal in 2024 showed me just how much is possible when you find something you love and commit yourself to it.
“My training regime in preparation for the World’s this year has been intense and with the 2026 competition taking place in a surf lagoon for the first time, I was keen to test my skills at Lost Shore. Training at Lost Shore has been a fantastic opportunity to work on my surfing in a consistent environment and really focus on the details that can make a difference at the World Championships. I’m excited to keep progressing, represent Great Britain on the international stage and see what I can achieve.”
Zoe’s training visit highlights Lost Shore’s growing role as a destination for elite surfers and national teams seeking a high-performance training environment in Scotland.
Since opening in 2024, the Edinburgh resort has been building a high-performance surfing ecosystem. The resort has secured partnerships with national surfing organisations including Scottish Surfing, Irish Surfing and Norwegian Surfing. More recently, GB Surfing selected Lost Shore as one of its National Performance Centres and Olympic Training Facilities, strengthening its position as a training base for British athletes working towards future international and Olympic competition.
Additionally, Jade Edward, who was the youngest ever female athlete to compete at the 2023 ISA Para World Championships in California aged 11 is a proud ambassador for Lost Shore Surf Resort. The teenager from Aberdeenshire, is a quadruple amputee and had to have her limbs removed aged just two after contracting Meningococcal Septicaemia, a life-threatening condition.
For para surfers such as Zoe and Jade, the wave pool offers a valuable opportunity to access consistent conditions and repeat specific manoeuvres, helping athletes and coaches concentrate on technical development. Unlike the ocean, where wave quality and frequency depend on changing conditions, the controlled environment allows surfers to maximise quality time in the water and build sessions around individual performance goals.
Lee Wood, Managing Director at Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “Zoe’s story is a brilliant example of what surfing can make possible. To come through such a life-changing experience, discover the sport relatively recently and go on to become a world champion is an extraordinary achievement.
“We’re proud that Lost Shore can provide a place for athletes like Zoe to prepare, develop their skills and pursue their ambitions on the world stage. Consistency is a huge part of performance surfing, and being able to work on specific aspects of your surfing in a repeatable environment can make a real difference.”
