Skinner is now setting his sights on California next month

Cornish-based surfer Ben Skinner has come second in the Pro Longboard Classic in Taito Chiba, Japan.

It is believed to be one of the highest-ever finishes by a British surfer at an event outside Europe.

Jersey-born Skinner, 23, is hoping to make a return to longboarding's world stage next month.

He has now set his sights on competing at the next World Qualifying Series event at Huntingdon Beach, California, from 18-27 July.

Skinner surfed against some of his heroes in Japan, including American Kevin Connelly.

I'm just really happy to have made it to Japan and reached my first ASP world final Ben Skinner

"They call him Kevin �Magic Feet' Connelly and he really was brilliant with his feet - an incredible surfer," Skinner said.

"Bonga Perkins, of Hawaii, and myself had consistently got the highest scores in the heats throughout the contest, but for the final the waves were small, which favoured Kevin as I need a bit more power to get going.

"I was waiting and waiting � a good 15 minutes � for the bigger wave to come in. I was going to beat him by surfing differently and doing turns, but it wasn't to be. I'm just really happy to have made it to Japan and reached my first ASP world final."

Skinner, who became the first British surfer to medal at the World Surfing Games when he took silver in 2006, is now hoping to get back on the tour, starting in California next month.

But Skinner says it will depend on him finding the money to get him across to the USA.

"It will be down to finance," he said. "It will be a tough one, so I must start talking to my sponsors now."