Dirty Business – The Sewage Scandal

Dirty Business – The Sewage Scandal

“Dirty Business tells the truth the water industry has spent thirty years trying to bury."

We all knew that the water companies were covering their tracks when it came to sewage pollution, but didn’t realise how far it went. Watch this new doc-drama which aired on Channel 4 this week, it’s eye opening and totally shocking.

Watch all three episodes here:

Watch Now

To coincide with the broadcast, Channel 4 unveiled an installation on London’s South Bank titled “The Fountain of Filth,” featuring sculptures of men, women and children appearing to vomit polluted brown water — a stark visual commentary on the crisis explored in the programme.

The issues highlighted in Dirty Business remain ongoing. Surfers Against Sewage has published figures indicating that more than 124,000 hours of sewage discharge were recorded in England’s designated bathing waters during 2025. The group also reports 1,236 cases of illness linked to water use, with 74% occurring at sites rated “good” or “excellent” by the Environment Agency.

Giles Bristow, Surfers Against Sewage Chief Executive, said: “Dirty Business tells the truth the water industry has spent thirty years trying to bury. A girl is dead. Thousands are still getting sick."

Surfing England Events 2026

Surfing England Events 2026

Major English Surfing Events Announced for 2026 – Community Support Needed

Surfing England has confirmed three major competitions for the 2026 season — including the return of the English Para Surfing Open and two flagship national championships scheduled for September.

While July’s Para Surfing Open is locked in, both the English National Longboard & SUP Championships and the English Interclub Surfing Championships remain subject to funding, with event sponsors now actively being sought to ensure the full calendar goes ahead.

July 2026

2026 English Para Surfing Open

Fistral Beach, Newquay
Saturday 11 July 2026 (Backup: Sunday 12 July)

The 2026 English Para Surfing Open returns to Fistral Beach for a full day of elite para surfing competition, welcoming athletes from across the UK and internationally.

The contest will feature all nine official ISA Para Surfing divisions, aligned with International Surfing Association global standards. Alongside these, four Open divisions will once again provide a competitive platform for UK-based surfers who do not yet hold ISA classification, supporting the continued growth of the para surfing pathway.

Registration opens Monday 18 May at 19:00 via LiveHeats.

Entry Fees:

  • ISA Para Surfing Divisions: £45 (open to classified surfers worldwide)

  • Open Divisions: £40 (UK-based, non-classified surfers only)

With its combination of high-performance competition and inclusive community atmosphere, the event continues to be one of the most inspiring fixtures in the English surfing calendar.

September 2026 (Subject to Funding)

2026 English National Longboard & SUP Surfing Championships

Saturday 5 September 2026 (Backup: Sunday 6 September)
Location: TBC

As one of the most prestigious contests in domestic surfing, the English National Longboard & SUP Championships define national rankings and crown English National Champions.

The event attracts the country’s leading Longboard and SUP athletes, alongside the next generation of Under 18 competitors. With Team England selection implications and potential international pathways on the line, the championships represent the highest level of domestic competition in these disciplines.

Divisions include:

  • Longboard Open (Men & Women)

  • Longboard U18 (Boys & Girls)

  • SUP Open (Men & Women)

  • SUP U18 (Boys & Girls)

For sponsors, the championships offer alignment with national titles, elite performance and the future of English surfing. However, delivery of the event is entirely dependent on securing event partners.

2026 English Interclub Surfing Championships

Fistral Beach, Newquay
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 September 2026
(Backup: Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 October)

The English Interclub Surfing Championships are widely regarded as the heart of competitive surfing in England. This iconic team-based event brings together surf clubs from across the country in a weekend defined by club pride, grassroots participation and sustained on-site energy.

Clubs of all sizes travel, compete and stay together — creating a vibrant atmosphere that extends beyond the competition itself. For brands, the format provides exceptional visibility and direct engagement with a loyal and highly engaged surfing community.

Like the National Longboard & SUP Championships, the Interclub event is sponsorship dependent.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Both September events require committed partners to proceed. Surfing England has been clear: without sponsorship backing, these competitions cannot take place.

For potential sponsors, the opportunity extends beyond logo placement. These events offer authentic alignment with national titles, community development, youth pathways, and one of the UK’s most dedicated sporting audiences.

Organisations interested in supporting the 2026 English National Longboard & SUP Championships or the English Interclub Surfing Championships are encouraged to contact Surfing England CEO Ben Powis at [email protected].

After Work Surfing is Back

After Work Surfing is Back

With spring on the horizon, the evenings are getting lighter - which means one thing - after work surfs in the UK.

The after-work surf is a long established ritual among surfers, especially when you have to make the most of the light. In Cornwall early march gives us around an hour of light after 5pm - just enough for a quick dip.

The big one that many of us will be waiting for of course is when the clocks finally shift. Daylight savings occurs on the 29th March. For those of you who can't reach the sea in time, put it in the calendar!

Region 1st March 15th March 29th March
South West ~18:00 ~18:19 ~19:38
South East ~17:40 ~18:05 ~19:28
Wales ~17:52 ~18:15 ~19:41
North East ~17:48 ~18:15 ~19:40
Scotland ~17:43 ~18:20 ~19:49

 

If you're still stuck in your winter hibernation mode, stay strong while we wait for warmer waters. Those who are ready to carpe diem these colder spring evenings, dust off the cobwebs - it's almost time to get back in the water.

Best of the Fest

Best of the Fest

Thursday 5th March, LS/FF is hosting a special evening of award-winning surf cinema and stand out stories from around the globe at The Lighthouse Cinema, Newquay.

Bringing to the big screen the Cornish premiere of 5 handpicked award winners from 14th Edition LS/FF accompanied by filmmaker Q+A's, goodies, good times and more... you're not going to want to miss this!

Taking you from the desert south of Morocco with surf adventurer Kepa Acero and style-master Snoopy, to the frozen edges of Antarctica seeking out unridden realms and vital research into the  melting icecaps with the Gauchos del Mar and journeying from NYC's surf community with Karen Song to Celtic coastlines closer to home with the likes of perennially poetic Mike Lay, Scottish chargers Phoebe Strachan and Mark Boyd, through the keen lens of Seth Hughes and Gabriella Zagni it's a celebration of our global surf community, the things that unite us and the very best of surf culture. 

TICKETS – £15 serve up a whole night of epic surf cinema, culture & community plus a complimentary beer Sharp’s Brewery (over 18’s only)! 

There are epic goodies too from Finisterre, Yeti Europe, Surf Girl and Carve  who celebrate and elevate the creativity that exists in our culture.  

Full details and tickets here:

https://londonsurffilmfestival.com/best-of-the-fest-a-very-special-evening/

LS/FF BEST FILM

Kingdom of the Evening  // Dir. Clint davis

Surf adventurer Kepa Acero travels back in time to meet an old friend & surf mythical waves. But is the dream of the perfect trip a reality? A joyous journey along Morocco’s dusty points that will make you fall in love with surfing over and over again. 

LS/FF BEST DOCUMENTARY & VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

Antarctica – Domain One // Dir. Julian & Joaquin Azulay

Multi award winning filmmakers go in search of unridden realms on the frozen continent on their most challenging surf adventure yet.  Narrated by Kelly Slater, and navigating treacherous waters and equally challenging encounters with sea life, this film is not to be missed.  Carve spoke with the Gauchos del Mar about the project HERE

LS/FF BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Gwynnik // Dir. Seth Hughes 

Rooted in the Celtic landscape featuring sublime surfer and Penwith poet Mike Lay, Gwynnik, ‘little fair one’ is a journey home, an appreciation that the chase for surfing fulfilment may ultimately lead back along the narrow roads and cliff paths of home. A beautiful big screen, big audio delight.

WOMEN OF THE SEA

Surf, Eat, Repeat // Dir. Karen song

A journey through New York surf culture via shared meals, shared stories & cold waves

At a time when even the line up can feel divided, this timely tale celebrates the rich diversity in surfing. Surf Girl magazine spoke exclusively with filmmaker Karen Song  about the project >>  HERE

LS/FF SHORTIE OF THE YEAR

No Place Like Home // Dir. Gabriella Zagni

Surfing in Scotland is cold, that’s a given, and at this time of year can take next level motivation. But for Thurso chargers Phoebe Strachan & Mark Boyd there’s no place like home… Celebrating and elevating the very best homegrown talents. 

SEE YOU THERE! 

https://londonsurffilmfestival.com/best-of-the-fest-a-very-special-evening/

From the Shed: Finale

From the Shed: Finale

The final episode of From The Shed features Malcolm Campbell and his son, Jacob Campbell, of the legendary Campbell Brothers.

Filmed above Rincon Beach at the Creators Gathering, the episode follows Malcolm and Jacob as they shape a Bonzer and reflect on the Campbell Brothers’ pioneering role in surfboard design. Growing up on the Oxnard coast, Malcolm and Duncan Campbell helped develop some of the earliest thrusters in surf history, forever influencing modern performance surfing.

With rare archival footage and historic imagery, the episode dives into the origins of the Bonzer and highlights the iconic Russ Short model, tracing its legacy through decades of innovation and wave-riding history.

This installment closes out the From The Shed series with a story of experimentation, heritage, and the evolution of surfboard design.

FILMED & EDITED: ‪‪@brian_elliott‬
ADDTL FOOTAGE: Thomas Campbell & ‪@jack_colemang‬
INTERVIEWED BY: Thomas Campbell
ORIGINAL MUSIC BY: Jack Rose

In Conversation with Mike Lay

In Conversation with Mike Lay

As part of Carve Collective, we are catching up with surfers, shapers, photographers and all round local legends across the UK and Ireland.

Starting from the very bottom of our isle, we talk to Mike Lay.

Give us the basics - who are you, where are you based, and what’s your lane?

My name is Mike Lay, I’m from St Just in far west Kernow, home beach is Sennen. I’m a lifeguard, writer, surfer (longboarder), and recently a cyclist and YouTuber.

What does a normal week look like for you right now?

My weeks are very seasonal, summers are 10-6 on the beach and during winter no two weeks are ever the same. Right now it’s off-season for lifeguarding and also half-term so I’m at home with my wife Frankie and two kids Enys and Mora. I was in Ireland last week filming for a Finisterre project with James Bowden, Luke Pilbeam and Canadian surfer Andy Jones. But this week will be riding bikes on the prom in Penzance, day trip to St Ives and lots of play park time.

What keeps you hooked on surfing at this stage?

My relationship with surfing has changed and fluctuated over the years, especially since parenthood which is a radical shake up of priorities. I value lifeguarding greatly at this stage of my life, it offers a physical release and the opportunity to be in the sea every day while providing a vital service. Enys and I shared a few a waves last year which was phenomenal, some of the best waves of my life.

What are you working on or trying to improve?

I feel I’ve probably reached my ceiling in terms of surfing performance, definitely with longboarding, not that I’m in any way a complete surfer, more that I have maxed out my own ability! So instead of trying to improve in a performance-sense, I have been focusing on maximising my enjoyment of surfing, of lowering my expectations and attempting to enjoy the simple act of riding waves. 

What or who has been inspiring you lately?

Ahh man, I’m inspired by most everyone who surfs in Cornwall through the winter. To pick out a couple, Stef Harkon, long time lifeguard, surfer and skater, Stef is into his 60’s and still surfing and keeping fit, as I approach my 35th year I am inspired by his stoke and longevity. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the young surfers of Sennen are super inspiring, kids in their late teens surfing before and after school on shortboards, longboards and everything in-between, and the groms from the primary school who thrive in the sea no matter the conditions, their enthusiasm is inspiring and infectious.

What are your plans for the future, near or far?

In a couple of weeks I plan to set off on the next stage of my ongoing project to circumnavigate the whole of Britain with my bike and trailer and surfboard. I’m doing the trip in stages and am at Bristol so far so the next stage will be all of South Wales. I’m filming my adventure and turning it into a YouTube series. The whole thing has been a massive physical and mental challenge but I’m learning to love it! (I think…).

Shout out one local spot, person, or brand that deserves more love.

Moulded earplugs! Clare and Chris are down the road from me here in west Kernow and offer an incredible service checking out people’s ear’s and making custom earplugs with filters so you can still hear. I have super bad surfer’s ear and wish I had worn earplugs earlier in my career. Moulded earplugs do clinics all around the country so worth going to their website and checking them out.

Any closing remarks?

Thanks for having me on and keep up the good work at the mag. Honoured as always to feature.

Keep up with Mike through his words : https://mikelay.substack.com/archive
Or on his new youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@laymike