CATCHING A WAVE - Ace surfer grateful for JOA support, takes aim at Olympics

Now that his mind is at ease, Elishama Beckford is focused on fine-tuning his skills for competition as he pursues a place at the Olympic Games. In his sport, catching a wave can come at a significant cost, especially for an elite athlete like Beckford, Jamaica’s Surfer of the Year. For much of his career, the 26-year-old, who lives and has honed his craft on the beaches of Bull Bay in east St Andrew, was burdened by important challenges away from the sea that were intrinsically linked to his ability to ride its breakers and rollers.