A BUZZ of excitement echoed the playground of a Harpenden school as pupils took to the waves in a surfing session.

Street Surfing, a company which is taking to schools across Hertfordshire this week, set up at Sir John Lawes School today.

Pupils were able to try their hand at surfing on caster boards which mirror surfing, snow boarding and skate boarding on dry land.

Students of all years have been taking it in turns throughout the day and Andy Battersby, head of PE at the Manland Avenue school, said everyone has enjoyed getting involved with the alternative sport.

He added: "It incorporates a lot of different sports like proper surfing, snow boarding and skating.

"Hopefully some of the skills the pupils pick up today they can use in the future to try out the sports while on holiday."

Mike Hickling, a representative from Street Surfing, said the boards are used by those training to participate in competitions.

He said: "The best thing about this is anybody can have a go. You don't have to be able to snow board to take part.

"It keeps the kids active and it's an exciting alternative to sports in school."

Thirza Dos Santos, an 18-year-old pupil at Sir John Lawes, said: "It was really fun but quite hard to get used to.

"It's good because we never have stuff like this and I really enjoyed it.

"Everyone's having fun and helping each other out. It's great."