National legal firm Clarke Willmott’s sports law team – which advises many high-profile organisations and individuals – has taken to the water for its latest appointment.
The team, which includes lawyers based in the firm’s Bristol office, is to provide legal support to Surfing England, the not-for-profit national governing body for the sport. 
It will provide legal advice to Surfing England as well as its elite surfers on commercial sponsorship agreements and legal matters.
The Devon-headquartered organisation, whose members include surf clubs, schools and coaches, joins sports bodies and professionals including leading football, rugby, and cricket players to pro-cyclists and Olympians on Clarke Willmott’s roster.
With surfing entering the Olympics next year at the Japan games and artificial wave centres being established throughout the country, the sport is experiencing significant growth with increasing opportunities for people of any ability to participate.
Surfing England operations director Ben Powis said: “The Olympic spotlight is shining bright on our sport, just as the first surf lakes are about to revolutionise performance coaching for our elite surfers. 
“There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in surfing and we are absolutely stoked to have Clarke Willmott on board as our official legal partner.”
Clarke Willmott sports lawyer and partner Tim Copplestone, pictured, who is based in its Bristol office, added: “Surfing England does such important work for the sport, and our leading sport sector team will provide commercial legal advice so the Surfing England team and athletes can focus on time in the water and achieving their ambitions.
“We look forward to working together with them in this hugely exciting time for the sport.”
As well as Bristol, Clarke Willmott also has offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.
