TWO county surfers are aiming to represent their country at a prestigious international event next month.

Max Ferguson-Hook, from North Berwick, and Phoebe Strachan, of Dunbar, are due to travel as part of the seven-strong Scotland team to Morocco for the European Surfing Championships, which get under way on September 12.

Strachan, who is studying sports science in Aberdeen, will be taking part in both the women’s surfing and the women’s bodyboarding competition.

Meanwhile, Ferguson-Hook, who attended North Berwick High School and is studying digital media in Aberdeen, is entered in the men’s bodyboarding section.

The competition will also mark Scotland’s return to the European stage as they compete at the European Championships for the first time since the early 1990s.

Strachan told Courier Sport: “Last year, I went to the World Championships with the team.

“That was in Peru and it was so cool. It was so much fun and it was a really good learning experience to see amazing teams and how they surf.” The 19-year-old will be up against fellow Scot Shoana Blackadder in the woman’s section as they attempt to impress the judges.

Each competitor is placed in a heat of four and given 20 minutes to impress on the water. Judges then mark competitors on a variety of factors, ranging from speed and flow to what kind of manoeuvres are performed.

However, before that, the athletes, plus judges and a videographer, have to fund their trip to the north African country.

The trip for the entire team is expected to cost more than £14,000.

A webpage has been set up to encourage people to make a donation and help the athletes make it to the competition.

Expenses include flights, accommodation and entering fees.

Strachan, who has been surfing for five years, said they were “struggling a bit” to raise the money.

She added: “Some people might not be able to go if the money is not raised. Myself and Max would have to fund it ourselves and, being students, we have to find the cash.” Mark Boyd, who is competing in the open surfing section, is in a video on the website and said: “There are lots of expenses for the team to get down to Morocco to fly the flag for Scotland, including flights, accommodation, entering fees and it all adds up. It is great to have a Scotland team down there so any support you can offer [would be great] and there are lots of great rewards on offer for any donation or any pledge you can make on the website, including our fantastic kits from Staunch Industries.” In the last two years, the Scottish team made it to the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games, which meant trips to Peru and Nicaragua.

Boyd added: “The support of the Scottish people has been fantastic for our last couple of international campaigns.

“We would also like to appeal to any commercial sponsors who might be interested in helping support us as well.” Already, the appeal has raised more than £2,000. For more information, go to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/scotland-surfing-team-eurosurf-2015