These sporting youngsters are far from board after a national champion helped them take up a new hobby.

She Shredders was set up in January 2013 by Brighton Youth Centre with support from Brighton and Hove City Council’s sports development team.

The aim was to encourage teenage girls and young women across the city to hop on a skateboard and have some fun.

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A year on, the project has been deemed a huge success with more than 50 people taking part in the weekly sessions.

Louise Ting, 22, joined the She Shredders in the summer after seeing an advert for the weekly sessions.

She said: “I tried skateboarding when I was 12. I didn’t have anyone to practice with so I didn’t get anywhere then. When I found out about the She Shredders I realised it was a way to learn with other likeminded beginners.

“It can be intimidating to go out to the public skate parks by yourself, not because the other skaters are unpleasant but because they are all so good.

“It’s like being a new swimmer and trying to compete in the fast lane of the pool.

“I have found that I’ve improved much faster being in a friendly group who are also new to skateboarding.”

Under the tutelage of UK Skateboarding Champion Lucy Adams, the number taking part has risen steadily throughout the year.

Now more than 30 people take part in the sessions at Brighton Youth Centre Skatepark on a Thursday evening.

It has proved so popular that a new She Shredders group started this month running on Saturday mornings.

Organisers say it is already at full capacity with a dozen participants.

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of the council’s economic development and culture committee, said: “The She Shredders are a fine example of what can be achieved when young people work together.

“They are passionate about their sport and their enthusiasm encourages others to join in.

“There was much talk of an Olympic legacy at the start of the year and the She Shredders are following on in style from the 2012 sporting successes.

“They embody the can do and will do attitude to sport.”