A YOUNG surfer with Cerebral Palsy has set his sights on state-side glory by aiming to represent Wales in an international surfing event in California.

Ethan Jolosa from Cwmbran was born nine weeks early weighing 4lbs and could fit in the palm of his mother Leah's hand. He spent two months in hospital and recovered well but was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy at around 18 months.

The condition meant the muscles in his legs were extremely tight and painful, forcing him to walk on the tips of his toes.

But now, three major operations later, 13-year-old Ethan is aiming to compete at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Adapted Surf Open in California from December 12 - 16.

Sports-mad Ethan has been surfing for the last 14 months with Surfability UK in Caswell Bay. In that time he’s competed in two UK competitions against adults with a range of disabilities and learning difficulties.

Despite his young age, Ethan fought off more experienced surfers to finish second in both competitions.

“It was a complete shock,” said Ethan.

“I thought I would be awful but I managed to come second. It’s given me a lot of confidence to go on. I love the excitement of the waves, and the adrenaline of trying to catch them.

“It would mean so much to me to be able to represent Wales in California. All my practise and the competitions I’ve already competed in have been leading up to this, so I’m going to give it my all.”

READ MORE: Brave Cwmbran lad needs £40k op to let him walk

Because of his disability, Ethan will compete in the prone category, meaning he will lie on his board and use his upper body strength and arms to guide himself onto the waves.

His family have started a Go Fund Me page to cover the £3,000 needed to get him competing in California.

“He just absolutely loves being in the water,” explained proud mum Leah Jolosa.

“We’re trying to cover as much of the costs as possible. We’re trying to get sponsorship from companies and organisations.

“We’ve had a small donation from inland surfing company The Wave, and the Alder surfing brand has agreed to fund the cost of his wet suit and surf-wear. The Welsh Surfing Federation have shared the appeal on their Facebook, which is great of them. The surfing community has really banded together.

"We’ve also got a lot of support from the local community. So many people have messaged to tell me they will be asking work colleagues to donate, and so on.

“We’re already at close to £1,000 on the Go Fund Me page and t’s only been up for a few days. Ethan is really well known in our local community. People remember him and are always stopping us in the street to tell him how well he looks.”

The last of Ethan's three operations, on his spine and legs, came in 2015, and the youngster hasn't looked back since, although surfing does leave him exhausted, according to his mum.

“It would be amazing if he could compete, it would do so much for him,” added Ms Jolosa.

“Absolutely nothing stops him. He still wants to be really active despite everything. He just wants to be in the water every chance he gets.”