Boardmasters OPEN Secures QS 4,000 Upgrade

Boardmasters OPEN will stage one of Europe's premier World Surf League Qualifying Series competitions this summer.

After its annual Fistral Beach event was upgraded from QS 2,000 to QS 4,000 status for 2026.

In partnership with YETI, the upgraded QS 4,000 status reinforces a shared commitment to supporting elite performance, progression, and the future of surfing and positions the event among the top three Qualifying Series competitions in Europe. A critical platform for surfers targeting the Challenger Series and the elite Championship Tour, the enhanced ranking will attract a significantly stronger international field, creating an unprecedented opportunity for British surfers to compete for world ranking points on home soil.

For those less familiar with how the WSL structures its events: the Qualifying Series runs on a points-value tier system, and doubling from 2,000 to 4,000 is a substantial jump. More points on offer means a stronger international field makes the trip, which raises the standard of every heat and makes a deep run count toward the season in a way it simply couldn't at the previous rating.

Boardmasters spokesperson says: "Surfing is where Boardmasters started and it has always, and will always be part of our DNA. It’s super exciting to see the competitions upgraded to a QS 4,000’s making it one of the top events in Europe and a critical opportunity for British surfers to score significant points on the qualifying series tour, helping them realise their ultimate goal of competing on the champions tour and building towards the Olympics in LA.”

The upgrade delivers on a long-term ambition to position Fistral Beach, Newquay, already one of Europe's most recognised surf breaks, as a destination for elite international competition. The QS 4,000 rating increases the ranking points available to competing surfers, raising the stakes for the international field and strengthening the event's standing within the WSL's global competition calendar.

Fistral has earned this kind of recognition before. Kelly Slater stood on that beach in 1986 for the World Amateur Championships, and through the late eighties and nineties the ASP Championship Tour came to Newquay regularly, bringing the world's best surfers to Cornwall. That era faded, the CT moved on, and for a long time the competitive weight of the event didn't match the reputation of the wave. The 4,000 upgrade starts to close that gap.

WSL Europe Tour Manager, Rob Gunning shares, “The WSL and our athletes are very excited to see the Boardmasters OPEN upgrade to a QS 4,000 this year plus we will be once again crowning our European Longboard Title winners over the five days of competition at the iconic Fistral beach. The added QS ranking points and importance on our European Qualifying Series will be impactful with a stronger field of athletes making the trip to Newquay to battle it out for this year’s trophy. The Boardmasters events team have put in a huge effort along with event sponsors and partners to make this upgrade a reality in 2026 and we are looking forward to some splendid competition during the entire event window.”

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The event will also deepen its ties to the domestic pipeline. Through the Boardmasters Foundation, the festival continues its partnership with Surfing England and will support the Surfing England Junior Surf Series which is the primary national competition structure for young surfers in the UK. The standalone Boardmasters Junior Surf Competition will not take place in 2026. In its place, Boardmasters is directing its support toward longer-term, wider-reaching initiatives which includes national junior development pathways, increased elite competition opportunities and education and progression support for top-level junior talent, delivered in partnership with GB Surfing and the Surfing England Junior Surf Series.

Wildcard entries for the QS 4,000 have been awarded to surfers from Surfing England's Pro Junior competition held at Watergate Bay on 26th May, including winners Lukas Skinner and Georgie May-Hicks, and runners-up Willow Smith and Fynn Gillespie, creating a direct competitive link between grassroots development and elite international surfing. In addition, Boardmasters OPEN will introduce a number of selective wildcard entries into the QS 4,000 field, providing emerging British talent with the opportunity to compete directly against an elite international draw on home soil. The wildcards form part of a longer-term commitment to building a credible competitive pathway for UK surfers, with the 2028 LA Olympics providing a clear horizon for athlete development and national ambition.

Two-time defending champion Lukas Skinner is going for three.

"I'm super looking forward to Boardmasters this year, being upgraded to a QS 4,000 is massive! I feel super confident and strong so I'm going to try my absolute best to go 3 in a row, but the main thing is enjoying it. It's my favourite week of the year and I have family and friends around with the beach full and the best crowd I've ever surfed in front of. Let's go!"

He expanded on what the points jump means day to day.

"Boardies is such a special event for me having won it two times already but also just being at home with all my friends and family and that support makes me feel like this is my strongest event on the QS. For it to now be recognised as a big event and be blown up to a 4,000 just allows so much more points. If you get a good result here it sets you up really well. As the defending champ I actually think it takes the pressure off me in a way. I am obviously aiming to win again but honestly I just love the event, the crowd and everything about it."

Meanwhile, Alys Barton, first ever British surfer to qualify for the WSL Challenger Series says, "Boardmasters is one of my favourite comps on the calendar. I love the atmosphere and the energy of the event, and it is always great to compete in front of a home crowd. The upgrade of the event to a QS 4,000 means we British surfers will have the opportunity to compete against the best in Europe and hopefully score big season points on a wave we know well."

Barton arrives at Fistral straight from the US Open, making for a packed run of competition.

"It's right after the US Open so it's gonna be a jam-packed couple of weeks of competition. I can't wait to get back to competing after these past two months off. Upgrading Boardmasters to a 4,000 is gonna be amazing, we're gonna have way more competitors and I think it's gonna be such an awesome competition. I cannot wait to showcase my surfing and I would love to win the event. That's my goal for this year at Boardmasters."

Willow Smith, runner-up at the Pro Junior and one of four Cornish surfers heading into the field on a wildcard, knows this event and this beach as well as anyone.

"It's my favourite event of the year at my local. I always surf and train there and I'm so happy to have received a wildcard. The upgrade feels to me like Boardmasters is getting the recognition that it deserves."

Fynn Gillespie also earned his spot at Watergate Bay.

"The Pro Junior comp had great waves and good weather so the day was pretty special and to make it to final and come second and win a wildcard to Boardmasters made it even more so. I love Boardmasters and competing at my home break is always sick. Making the event 4,000 shows how good the event has become and I can't wait for it to come around."

Alongside the competition, GB Surfing will deliver a series of masterclasses and workshops for selected surfers from its national Development Squad. The programme will offer coaching, athlete development and an insight into the realities of pursuing surfing at an international level. Participants will have access to the competition site, placing them alongside some of the world's leading surfers and creating direct opportunities for observation, learning and informal engagement with the professional game. The initiative is designed to grow year on year as a high-value addition to the event's wider development offering.

Vicky Gosling, Chair of GB Surfing, said: "The upgrade of Boardmasters to a QS 4,000 event is a significant milestone for British surfing. It gives our athletes the opportunity to compete against Europe's best and earn valuable ranking points on home waves, while reflecting the continued growth and progress of the sport in the UK. Our LA 2028 Olympic hopefuls will be competing, and we are seeing them develop with real confidence and consistency as they progress along the Olympic pathway. We believe they have the talent and potential to achieve outstanding results on the Olympic stage in the years ahead, while inspiring the next generation of British surfers to pursue their own Olympic ambitions."

Longboard divisions will continue as LQS 1,000 competitions in 2026. The Boardmasters OPEN 2026 competition schedule and athlete will be announced in due course.

The event will take place at Fistral Beach, Newquay, from 5-9 August 2026.

El Salvador Preview

As the world title race is ready to heat up, Joel Gray gives us the lowdown on the up and coming Surf City El Salvador Pro.

Words: Joel Gray Photos: WSL

A few years back, I surfed Punta Roca on the eve of the WSL event. As luck would have it, I found myself out the back as the set of the day approached. Having waited an hour or so, I was second in line as the unrelenting set came to an end. The guy ahead of me was a big powerful local but as he went for the next wave, it just went under him. He let out a huge growl and I was too late to get it. The next one was even better. Wave of the day no doubt. I looked at the guy ahead of me who’d just missed the wave with a mixture of hope and desperation. At the last possible moment he gave me the nod and called “GO!” A mad scramble followed and I was in with the many surfers down the line all looking on in hope that I would nose dive. I didn’t but I could feel the whole lineups desire for me to fall as I high-lined the first deep section. I don’t remember much of the wave but I do remember flying past a smiling and hooting Carissa Moore on the shoulder and Caroline Marks trying her hardest to catch the wave that I was very much on. It’s a great wave. Anyway the events coming up so….

The Wave

It’s an ultra long cobble stone righthand pointbreak in pretty much the warmest surfing water on earth. Expect long, multiple turn waves with a few highlines and floaters intermixed with laybacks and the odd fin throws. Airs are possible but rare especially at size as are roundhouses cutbacks - its a down the line freight train when ON.

The Forecast

Expect this thing to roll straight out of the gates on Day One. Start of the waiting period is looking really good with glassy conditions and really solid swell. From there on out it’s all a bit of a Contest Director’s nightmare at the moment as the swell goes super big (no bad thing) but the wind models are looking lively to say the least - and not from a pleasant direction.

Surf City El Salvador Pro presented by Corona

Who WILL do well:

MEN

For the men’s, let's put our backing behind heavyweight no nonsense big hitters with the ability to mix up moves and crucially read changing sections and big walls. With that as a focus point it's pretty easy to expect big things from any of Gabriel Medina and the Collapinto brothers - Griffin and Crosby. Is there a better named brotherly duo in sport than these two?

WOMEN

If the bulk of the event runs in bigger conditions with a bit of wind and wobble is there anyone who can beat Gabriella Bryan? Probably not. Carissa Moore does look so ready to do damage to the rankings after her consummate New Zealand win though and everyone knows that new momma Moore loves a solid righthand wall. Fellow ‘old timer’ and long roping right hand point break aficionado Stephanie Gilmore will definitely be fired up for this one too - she won Snapper and will feel she can here too.

Who MIGHT do well:

MEN

Matt McGillevray and Bryan Perez are the two wildcards for this event and both easily have the repertoire and skill set to go deep. Both have solid history here too. Joao Chianca’s skill set also might suit the conditions - a bit of jerk here and there but super scorable high impact hits spontaneously thrown all over the warm brown walls.

WOMEN

Three fifth place finishes in a row will not be keeping Molly Picklum happy. The current World Champ will be more than ready to remind everyone who’s boss. Alyssa Spencer has been a bit of a surprise package so far this season and has had two well deserved 3rd place finishes already. Despite having perhaps a tricky style to watch her game is getting rewarded big time from the judges.

Who NEEDS a result:

What do Brissa Hennessy, Bella Kenworthy, Oscar Berry and Alan Cleland have in common? They are all still waiting for their first heat win of the season. Ouch! They all need a result here otherwise they’ll be on the phone to their travel agents planning for a season doubling up back on the Challenger Series. Pressure is on but out of this bunch and at this wave Oscar and Al could both do well.

Follow the action live on:

www.worldsurfleague.com

SURFILMUSIC / Jack Johnson

The Great Estate secures exclusive UK premiere of the highly anticipated documentary ‘SURFILMUSIC’

In a major cultural coup for the UK festival landscape, The Great Estate has today announced it will host the exclusive UK premiere of SURFILMUSIC - the deeply personal and critically acclaimed new documentary featuring multi-platinum musician and surfer Jack Johnson. Mirroring the independent spirit of both the artist and the event, the film will debut on Friday 29th May 2026 as the headline showcase of the festival’s newly conceived Silent Cinema series. Stepping away from conventional cinema multiplexes, the premiere will immerse audiences directly into the natural landscape of the Scorrier Estate. Attendees will be welcomed into the ancient canopy of the Whispering Woods, taking their seats on bespoke, hand-crafted wooden chairs - built specifically for this experience by resident festival carpenter Merlin, utilizing timbers salvaged entirely from fallen trees during recent UK winter storms. To complement this visually arresting environment, viewers will wear high-fidelity silent disco headphones, completely isolating the rich soundscape and creating a profoundly intimate viewing sanctuary within the bustling festival grounds. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Emmett Malloy, SURFILMUSIC arrived to rapturous praise at its SXSW world premiere earlier this year.

The documentary elegantly traces how Johnson’s formative years directing surf films alongside close friends laid the foundational architecture for his global musical career, beautifully illustrating how his experiences in the ocean directly informed his rhythmic songwriting. The feature seamlessly integrates rare archival footage and private family documents with contemporary reflections from definitive cultural figures including Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Gerry Lopez, and Ben Harper, all set to an exquisite original score composed by Johnson and instrumental virtuosos Hermanos Gutiérrez. The Great Estate will host three exclusive screenings of SURFILMUSIC across the weekend, providing festival-goers with multiple opportunities to witness the piece before it begins its official international theatrical run on June 5th. The maiden UK voyage will broadcast on Friday 29th May at 19:00, establishing a serene, cinematic counter-narrative to the high-octane live performances across the estate.

"Securing the UK premiere of SURFILMUSIC is a monumental milestone for The Great Estate. Jack Johnson’s ethos of environmental stewardship and independent creativity mirrors everything we strive to build at the festival. Having our guests sit on chairs sculpted by Merlin from our own fallen storm trees, listening to Jack’s melodies under the leaves - it delivers exactly the kind of beautiful, rambunctious magic our community expects."

- FESTIVAL DIRECTOR BEN HALL

The cinematic unveiling forms part of a sprawling, multi-disciplinary schedule for the 2026 iteration of the festival, which takes place from 29th to 31st May. Alongside the film premiere, guests will experience headlining musical performances from Kaiser Chiefs, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Skunk Anansie, late-night woodland takeovers by the Bang Bang Club featuring Jeremy Healy, and intimate talks with Hollywood icon Simon Pegg and rock royalty Skin.

Channel Islands Regional Report

Jake Powell — Photo: @ninebyfivephotography

Regional Report — Channel Islands

Channel Islands

The Channel Islands occupy a unique corner of British surf culture — Atlantic-facing, tide-driven, and fiercely proud of their own scene. Jersey in particular has built a community that punches well above its size, with a contest calendar, a cast of characters, and a lineup culture that's entirely its own. Jake Powell has been in the thick of it since before most people could find the island on a map. Here's his first dispatch.

2026 started as the first year we ever had two simultaneous GB Cup champions — and it's only got stranger from there.

GB Cup

Nathan Elms — Photo: Lawrence Chay

2026 started as the first year we ever had two simultaneous GB Cup champions in the form of Owen Graham and Naughty Nathan Elms. In annual familiar fashion, lifeguards returned from their yearly Indo "surf trip" armed with Bintang headaches, onshore clips of Ulus, and questionable tattoos — while those who stayed on island quietly scored weeks of pumping uncrowded waves.

CI Champs

Matt Chapman — Photo: Theo Cabot · Currently MIA somewhere in Holland 🇳🇱

Ironically, the wave tap turned off just in time for the CI Champs, leaving organiser old man George scratching his head after forgetting daylight savings had kicked in and being the wrong end of the tide. A few heats were run before the finals were pushed back for another day — TBC.

VIACY Torched

Josh Evans — Photo: @ninebyfivephotography

Josh Evans — Photo: Theo Cabot

May brought the long-awaited VIACY TORCHED event, only for Poseidon to smite down every bit of low pressure heading for the shoreline — this time old man George was on the money with his predictions. A last-minute tweak to the format, somewhere between tag team wrestling and a surf comp, mixed with a skate jam and secret afterparty, may have unlocked a whole new beast and meaning for the event going forward. Watch this space.

"Somewhere between tag team wrestling and a surf comp — watch this space."

Looking Ahead

Brad Ferguson — Photo: Daisy Barnard

Summer will see Albie G and the rest of the junior gang battle it out in the local series to decide who gets on the plane to the Euros in Ireland — but first, a trip to the Rip Curl GromSearch, where it would be no surprise if we had a few champs returning. Elsewhere, the older crew continue their best Peter Pan impressions — working, surfing, partying. It somehow gets harder every year.

There's plenty to look forward to in September with VIACIFIED: A Tribute to Jersey Surfing on the 12th, and BOWLACROCK: Carnival of Skate Culture. It's going to be a good month on the island, which normally sees a fair bit of swell — so if you fancy coming over, get in touch and I'm sure some local folk will help you out with a couch. And a beer.

Let's make #JerseyGreatAgain

Wales Regional Report

Logan Nicol — Photo: @livs3rdeye

Regional Report — Wales

Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬

Wales has always punched above its weight — a rugged, swell-hungry coastline stretching from Pembrokeshire to the Llŷn Peninsula, and a community that knows exactly what to do when the Atlantic delivers. For our first Welsh dispatch, we've handed the mic to Callum Thomas — surfer, local, and someone who's been in the water for all of it. Here's his take:

The swell didn't stop from January till May for most of Europe, so it's going to be hard to cover everything that's happened in God's country — here are some highlights.

Porthcawl

Porthcawl has a great surfing community and most spots handle different conditions, so there's always somewhere to find. Logan Nicol testing the air game at Coney Beach.

George Schofield — Photo: Tony John

George Schofield doesn't miss much and has the backhand to prove. Aside from drinking coffee and texting me the surf report, here's a nice off the top from the local legend.

Gower

Patrick Langdon-Dark — Photo: Rhodri Williams

Patrick Langdon-Dark has been home most of the winter, planning his wedding later this month and sharpening his tools ready for the QS season. Gower probably lacked the most versatile options with the south-easterly winds that blew from January till April. Some spots had moments, but for the Langland crew it was a quiet start.

The crisp mornings in Llangennith and the walk up to the peaks can sometimes pay off.

Photo: @langlandboardriders

Alys Barton recently qualified for the Challenger Series, making her the first British surfer to achieve this. Langland Board Riders held a fundraising night to get everyone together and celebrate the success so far before Alys takes on her biggest challenge yet.

"Making her the first British surfer to achieve this."

Pembrokeshire

Photo: Dai Williams / @seasidehues

Photographer Dai Williams has always been amongst it, ensuring he doesn't miss the best days. These long-distance swells and easterly winds have lit up parts of Wales this year. The Pembrokeshire crew haven't got it easy but always seem to find the good corners — whether it's a left wedge or a right-hand barrel. There's always a strong crew out, from Tenby's Will Howells to the Buik brothers from St David's.

Al Morris in his natural habitat — Photo: @seasidehues

Al Morris in his natural habitat.

Cardigan

Elliot Barton — Photo: @seasidehues

Some days require getting in the car and going for a spin. Elliot Barton set his alarm this day, whilst Al Morris… again found some shade from the spring sun.

Welsh Nationals

Welsh Nationals — Photo: Peter Price

The Welsh Nationals went down in an epic weekend of sun and surf. Full write up: https://www.carvemag.com/2026/05/new-champions-crowned-at-welsh-nationals-2026/

North Shore Prosthetics Hawaiian Surfing Championships

Llywelyn 'Sponge' Williams — Photo: @tommypierucki

That's a wrap on the North Shore Prosthetics Hawaiian Surfing Championships. It's been a while since Sponge last placed 3rd — Mark and Dariel used their priority perfectly and picked off the best waves. After the sunscreen incident during the semi-finals, he was lucky just to make it into the finals. What an incredible day of surf though — great waves all day and amazing performances from everyone involved. Next stop: Adaptive Surf Japan.

As I tap out of my first regional report, I look forward to keeping people up to date. In the meantime — Da boch. 󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁥

Don’t Jump Off the Pier

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Interview: James Wilkinson Photo: Ian Forsyth / room2850.com

We caught up with Simon Palmer to talk about his book documenting the history of surfing at Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

Hi Simon, how are you doing? Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m great thanks. I’m working in Greece currently. It’s a struggle to find waves in the Aegean Sea but they’re out there. And I’ll find them this winter. I’m a lifelong surfer, starting at 13 in Cape Town and now based in Northeast England for over 30 years. I’m still chasing waves and believe the Northeast has world-class surf.

What inspired the book about Saltburn surfing?
It started with a photo of surfers from 1965. Meeting pioneers like John Smith and Ian Roughton revealed a rich, undocumented history. The second edition updates that story, reflecting the growth of the scene—especially more women surfers—and Saltburn’s rising popularity.

How did the community shape the new edition? 
Collaborations with local creatives like Matt Whaley and Emma Tweddle transformed the book into a more visual, inclusive project, blending photography with personal stories.

What stood out about the early years? 
The sheer dedication. Surfers built their own boards, braved freezing waters, and created a scene from scratch with minimal resources—pure passion and resilience.

Any memorable stories? 
Plenty—like surfers riding waves in a Stetson, fainting from cold, or wiping out spectacularly off the pier. The town has always been full of colourful, tough characters.

How has Saltburn’s surf identity evolved? 
It’s grown massively in popularity, but its core—hardiness, community, and love of the sea—remains unchanged.

What are the challenges of documenting a living culture? 
Surfing in Saltburn is still evolving, influenced by social change, tourism, and history. Capturing it means balancing past milestones with ongoing developments.

How does geography shape surfers? 
Cold water, strong tides, and hazards like the pier demand toughness and build character—it’s not an easy place to surf.

What makes Saltburn unique? 
A mix of rugged conditions, varied waves, strong community, and a creative, bohemian town atmosphere.

Final thoughts on “Don’t Jump Off the Pier”? 
It’s a personal celebration of Northeast surfing culture—preserving its stories and spirit for future generations.

Check out the full interview with Simon in issue 231 here, grab a copy of Don't Jump Off The Pier from the link below.

Click Here To Buy The Book