A Hexham teenager is in Hungary ahead of representing Great Britain in a world windsurfing championship.

Theo Balmer, who lives in Wark, just outside of Hexham, will compete alongside seven other Great Britain teammates in Hungary this week.

The 13-year-old, who will start Year 9 at Queen Elizabeth High School in September, is a member of Kielder Water sailing club and the Kielder Kestrels windsurfing team.

Theo has only been windsurfing for around three yearsTheo has only been windsurfing for around three years (Image: Supplied)

He has also been a member of the RYA’s Regional Training Group which works to develop talented junior sailors for the last two years.

Theo's dad Christian said: "This training involves a huge amount of hard work and dedication attending training events and competitions at weekends all over the UK throughout each winter to prepare for the summer season. 

"Theo has only been windsurfing for a little under three years so to be able to represent his country and compete internationally is an amazing achievement.

The competition starts this week and will continue for a full week; with 340 competitors from 18 countries across the globe competing for prizes in various sail size categories.

Competitive racing started on Monday July 22Competitive racing started on Monday July 22 (Image: Supplied)

Theo is one of only eight British sailors competing and is hoping to impress in the 6.8metre fleet. 

Theo and his GBR teammates have been training in Hungary since Tuesday, July 16 before the opening ceremony on Saturday evening.

Competitive racing officially began on Monday, July 22, with Theo predicted to finish inside the top 100, despite more than 300 athletes competing.

Lake Balaton, often referred to as the “Hungarian Sea,” serves as the idyllic backdrop for this high-stakes competition. Balatonföldvár is the setting for athletes from around the globe to come together and vie for the title of World Champion.

The T293 and T293Plus World Championships are not just about competition but also about nurturing the next generation of windsurfing talents.

The event actively promotes youth empowerment, providing a platform for young athletes to develop their skills, foster camaraderie, and build lasting memories.

You can track Theo's progress online, on the Techno 293 World Championships website.