Riley’s is one of the craziest waves in the world, breaks over super shallow slab of rock and a lot of days it’s not surfable. Whether is be the tide , wind or swell directions it takes a lot for these big clean days to happen so to score one like this is super epic .
Surfers: Noah Lane and Conor Maguire
Towed by: @conormaguire
Filmed by: @conorflanagan1529
@diegoblaestro
Words: Beth Franklin Photos: Tim Bonython SwellChasers
Robyn Larg, from Tiree, made history when she surfed a near-15ft wave on February 15 at the world’s biggest wave in Portugal, as the youngest British person to surf Nazare.
The 18-year-old hit the waves with her big brother, Ben Larg, who also made history as the first Scottish person to compete at the World Surf League Nazare Tow Challenge. Ben cemented his histortical appearance at the event by taking third place in the men’s category. Ben, and his teammate, big wave pioneer Andrew Cotton, also took third place in the team’s category of the comp.
After surfing since the age of three, and seeing her brother tackle the waves Robyn decided she wanted to take them on too and she did just that. It comes after Laura Crane, from Devon, became the first British woman to surf Nazare last year. Despite, almost had to miss the swell as she was working at Scotland’s recently opened wave pool the Lost Shore Resort, she managed to catch a flight after the comp and the rest is history.
Here’s what Robyn had to say about her historic surf, and what’s next for the Scottish charger…
Robyn, when did you start surfing and how did you get into it?
I started surfing when I was around three years old, we live on the Isle of Tiree; my mum and dad run a surf school there, so we were always at the beach. My brother and dad would always be surfing so I just followed.
What surfers do you look up to? Any specific pro women that inspire you?
I really look up to my brother, he’s always helped me with my surfing since we were young, i also really look up to Laura Crane, I think she is such a good ambassador for women’s surfing especially for big waves.
What’s your advice to younger surfers looking to challenge themselves?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. If an opportunity comes your way, don’t hesitate to take it if you can.
Your favourite surf spot?
I have loads of surf spots that I love to surf. Nazare was amazing, France and Cornwall are so much fun, but I love surfing at home in Tiree. I think when you know a place so well you just feel so comfortable there.
How did you mentally prepare for Nazare?
Were you scared? How did you manage that?
I wasn’t too scared before I got out as I knew there was no pressure to surf, once i was in the water I definitely started to feel a little more nervous, but ben was super reassuring and made me feel super safe which was nice- I loved being able to do it with him.
To have Andrew Cotton there as an added rescue was so reassuring. To be honest I get butterflies before I go out on a lot of surfs but once you catch a few waves the feeling settles, and you just get into it.
What’s your next surf goal?
My next surf goal is to just keep training with my brother and hopefully build up to some slightly bigger days both in Nazare and elsewhere.
Also, I have the Scottish National Championships in April and I’d like to do really well in that . I’ve loved representing Scotland and hope I can continue to do it.
17th Jesus Longboard Classic
12-13 April 2025, Polzeath – Registration Is Now Open
The entry portal to the very popular 17th Jesus Longboard Classic is now open and organiser Christian Surfers UK is very excited to be welcoming the longboard community to the event’s usual venue of Tubestation and using the beach at Polzeath.
This year we have continued with our earlier date in April after last year’s success, as it gives the potential of warmer weather whilst still having the potential of great surf.
Last year’s event was held in some good surf with quality longboarding throughout and an entry field approaching 80, and CSUK can’t wait to welcome the community back for another epic event.
The Jesus Longboard Classic is a great contest for both those who have not entered a competition before, as well as those seasoned contest surfers. The event has a well-deserved reputation for its friendly atmosphere and relaxed vibe, as well as the later rounds being highly competitive, with previous winners including surfers such as Emily Currie, and Ben Skinner.
The event features the following categories (age is calculated as on 1 January 2025):
Legends 60+
Grandmasters 50+
Masters 35+
Juniors Under 18
Men’s Open
Women’s Open
Due to the ongoing popularity of the event, entries are limited to two categories per entrant and early booking is strongly advised.
If you would like to enter please follow this link here:
All entries include a free T-shirt and some hospitality at Tubestation during the course of the weekend. We are currently trialling out a new entry portal and so if you are entering a second category you will get your £3 reduction on the day.
Christian Surfers UK is very pleased that, although not forming part of their contest series, the event is being endorsed by the British Longboard Union (BLU).
A big thank you to all the sponsors and supporters who have committed for this year, a full list will be confirmed soon.
Additional sponsors are also welcome to join this great event, so if interested please contact Phil [email protected]
Photos: Andy Holter
So it’s back! The Famous Spring Ball – summer vibes, ballgowns and tuxes – for those that went you’ll remember it being very much like the SAS ball – and a coming together of all the Cornish (and Devon) crews.
We’re so stoked it’s back in the Cornish calendar- nice one boys!
The last day for you to grab a ticket via instalments is today – so if you don’t want to miss what is always the most serious party in Cornwall we would suggest grabbing one now.
Craig McLachlan, Joel Carleton and Finn Clark, decided to escape the harsh winter in Scotland in hopes to score some warmer waves. The three lads’ strike mission took them to Peniche with the company of Malcolm Anderson to capture the moments.
The 2024-2025 season of the Volcom Surf Happening series for the youth resumed on Saturday, February 22, in the beautiful town of Sagres, Portugal. Surfers who qualified through the online competitions last summer gathered for the main event to battle it out for the €4,000 prize purse. It was incredible to see a wide range of European countries represented, with up-and-coming surfers from Spain, UK, Italy, Ireland, Canary Islands, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and, of course, Portugal—hanging out like one big family.
With a solid 3.5meter, 18second northwest swell forecasted, the sheltered beach of Mareta was ideal for running the competition. The day began with rippable blue A-frames under the sunshine—a dream in the middle of winter. The event’s unique format pushes surfers to unleash their maneuvers, as each competitor surfs three heats throughout the day, with only their best wave and best maneuver considered for the overall score.
The first two rounds saw great surfing from most competitors, with plenty of fun waves on offer. However, the low-tide closeouts in round three made it more challenging to land combos. Congratulations to Mel Canhoto from Portugal and Irish surfer Joshua Karbus for sweeping the event, claiming the best wave and best maneuver titles in their respective categories!
Women Best Wave
1 – Mel Canhoto
2 – Julieta Rodriguez-Villamil
3 – Sofia Matos
Men Best Wave
1 – Joshua Karbus
2 – Theo Coathalem
3 – Samuele Agliani
Women Best Maneuver
1 – Mel Canhoto
2 – Julieta Rodriguez-Villamil
3 – Chiara Cuppone
Men Best Maneuver
1 – Joshua Karbus
2 – Theo Coathalem
3 – Daniel Roman
After the prize-giving and a classic product toss, the day ended at Three Little Birds with a surf movie night and free food for all participants. The venue later opened to the public for the premiere of young local Salvador “Sassa” Catarino’s clip, ‘Paranoid Whisper’, in collaboration with Captain Fin. The crowd was amped, and the party kicked off when Sassa’s band, Candler, ignited the chaos. It was then time for the younger ones to head to bed, while the valiant kept the night going with DJ Miso Blue. A huge thank you to Algarve Surf Clube, Vila Do Bispo Câmara, Captain Fin, Three Little Birds, and all the staff who helped make the event run smoothly!
