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Petroc students give champion surfer's van a makeover

Motor vehicle students from Petroc have been using their skills and expertise to get champion surfer Zak Lawton back on the road.

When Zak decided to bring his VW Transporter van to the College’s workshop at Braunton Road, Barnstaple, its exterior was in a very poor condition.

The Vehicle Body Repair and Refinish students carried out a wide range of repair, modification and customising work, to improve its appearance and make it more comfortable to drive. This included a full re-spray, fitting new alloy wheels and adjustment to the suspension.

As a semi-professional surfer, the former Junior British Champion competes all over the country and needs appropriate transport to do so. Zak said: “It is essential to have a reliable van, as I am away 20-30 times a year competing.

“As the van is now fully converted, I am able to sleep in it during competitions, saving me a fortune on accommodation.”
After the work had been completed the van was virtually unrecognisable. Zak is clearly very pleased with the results, saying: “The van is a privilege to drive now. It looks brand new!”

Nick Dickenson, the Braunton Road Campus Centre Manager for Vehicle Body Repair, recognises the importance of projects such as this for the students.

“We work in a very visual trade. The students really benefitted from this project, as they could physically see the van go through all the stages of improvement”, said Nick.

He added: “A project like this brings together the students and the community in which they will be working in the future; hopefully raising their profile. Seeing their finished product being used by someone like Zak gives the students a real sense of achievement.”

To find out more about the motor vehicle courses at Petroc contact the Guidance Centre on 01271 338125.