“I have waited for years to film Cape Solander big, like real big. And it could not have happened on a better day. Here’s part one of two exceptional days, Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Cape Solander turns back into Cape Fear with waves measuring 6 to 10 feet with some 15 foot bombs. Featuring the Mad Hueys, Max McGuigan, Oscar Berry and Jimmi Hill. Plus the Mullet Lord, Kipp Caddy and others. This swell was so raw it was almost unsurfable. But when the Cape is breaking these surfers don’t say no.” Tim Bonython
One of the UK’s most cherished longboarding events — the Chapter Surf Longboard Classic — is making a long-awaited comeback. Taking place at Saunton Beach in North Devon on 24–25 May 2025, this year’s event marks a particularly special milestone: the 50th anniversary of the first surfboard shaped by Mervyn Beard at Chapter Surfboards, a brand that became a cornerstone of the North Devon surf community and a symbol of local surf culture.
The Chapter Surf Longboard Classic became renowned for its inclusive atmosphere, drawing professional surfers, local legends, and passionate groms alike to Saunton for a weekend of friendly competition and fun. At the heart of it all was Alan Brooks, a beloved figure in the UK surf scene and a key driving force behind the original event. His infectious love of surfing and his role running the iconic Chapter Surf Shop made him a pillar of the community.
Following Alan’s passing in 2022, and in honour of this golden anniversary, his daughter Colette Brooks is bringing the Chapter Surf Longboard Classic back — alongside a team of dedicated North Devon-based volunteers — to honour her father’s legacy and reignite the longboarding spirit of years gone by.
“This event was never just about winning,” says Colette, who grew up hanging out in the Chapter Surf Shop and surfing locally. “It was about connection, shared stoke, and celebrating the lifestyle that Chapter helped create. It’s been a dream of mine to bring that feeling back and honour my dad and the incredible community he helped build.”
The relaunched event aims to capture the original spirit of the Classic: community-led, inclusive, and “just for fun.” It will also serve as a heartfelt tribute to those we’ve lost, including Alan.
This year’s Classic will raise funds and awareness for North Devon Hospice, a local charity that provides vital end-of-life care and support to patients and families across the region. Donations and event proceeds will help support their compassionate, life-changing work. During the event a special Chapter Surfboards and Memorabilia display will be set up, and guests are warmly invited to come down, share their stories of Chapter, and watch the action.
Entries for this year are limited to 32 surfers, allowing the event to run in a single day if necessary, depending on surf conditions. There will be one open division, with additional trophies and prizes awarded — not just to finalists — to celebrate standout moments and individuals in true Classic style. Organisers hope to expand the divisions in future years.
“As we’re currently a small team of volunteers, supported by a head judge, we’re keeping the event tight,” adds Colette. “This year is about focusing on quality, community, and keeping the spirit alive.”
Chapter’s rich history began in Braunton in the mid-1970s, when Mervyn Beard and John ‘Flipper’ Stacey founded the brand and began shaping boards that would influence generations of UK surfers. The name “Chapter” had been agreed over a few too many drinks at The Williams Arms pub, to represent a new chapter in the founders’ lives.
At just 14 years old, rising French star Tya Zebrowski has claimed the 2024/2025 WSL Europe Qualifying Series title after a dominant season.
The title was confirmed at the 2025 Caparica Surf Fest in Portugal, the final stop of the regional tour. Tya was crowned European Champion, alongside Jorgann Couzinet on the men’s side. She now moves on to the Challenger Series – the gateway to the Championship Tour – with her sights firmly set on qualifying for the elite level of world surfing.
“I’m so stoked to win this title – it’s a dream come true! I think I’m the youngest European champion ever, which is crazy! Now the hard part begins: staying consistent and giving it everything I’ve got on the Challenger Series. I’m lucky to have an amazing team around me and I can’t wait to take on this new challenge. Thank you to all my sponsors for their support,” said Tya Zebrowski.
Tya had already secured the European title before this final event, thanks to three QS victories in just two months in 2024: Newquay (England), Pantin (Spain) and Anglet (France). She followed that up with an impressive runner-up finish at her very first Challenger Series event in Ericeira, Portugal, in October 2024 – going head-to-head with Aussie powerhouse Sally Fitzgibbons.
In March 2025, Tya extended her contract with Rip Curl through to the 2028 Olympic Games. With roots in both Landes (France) and Tahiti, she benefits from the full support of Rip Curl’s international program, including coaching and athlete development resources. Rip Curl is proud to support one of Europe’s brightest surf talents as she begins this exciting new chapter on the world stage.
Under crisp northern skies and against a backdrop of windswept cliffs and cold Atlantic swell, the 2025 Scottish National Surfing Championships delivered a weekend to remember. Held on April 18th and 19th, this year’s edition wasn’t just another contest—it was a celebration of 50 years of Scottish competitive surfing. A milestone moment for the sport in Scotland, and one that brought with it a palpable sense of pride, community, and progression, as a new generation of surfers continued to elevate the standard of Scottish surfing.
From the moment surfers arrived on Friday morning, there was an unmistakable buzz in the air. Flags fluttered in the breeze, old friends greeted one another with warm smiles, and boards were waxed with quiet focus as the first heats of the day were called. The weather played its part too: sunshine and clean lines greeted competitors on Friday, while Saturday brought a brisker breeze and more challenging sections. Water temperatures hovered around 8°C, but for Scotland’s surfing elite, that’s just part of the game.
Three times Scottish Mens champ Craig McLachlan. Photo Sam Howard
In the Open Men’s division, it was Craig McLachlan who claimed his third consecutive national title, edging out Scottish surfing veteran Mark Boyd, with Israel Noble and Finn MacDonald taking third and fourth respectively. McLachlan’s blend of explosive turns and flow through sections saw him dominate the final heat, but not without resistance. The entire men’s bracket—from quarterfinals to final—was a display of tight scores and progressive surfing, evidence of just how far the sport has developed in Scotland in recent years.
Phoebe Strachan, Six times Scottish women champion. Photo Duncan McLachlan
On the women’s side, Phoebe Strachan further cemented her place in Scottish surfing history by taking out the Open Women’s title—her sixth national win. Strachan’s powerful backhand attack and wave selection proved too much for the rest of the field. Callie Cruickshank, Robyn Larg, and Lola Mitchell rounded out a final stacked with talent and potential, pushing each other heat after heat in what many called the most competitive women’s division the country has seen.
Ali Matheson, Grand Master champion. Photo Duncan McLachlan
In the Grand Masters Division, it was Ali Matheson who rose to the top, with Adam Robertson, Gene Clark, and Martin McQueenie following close behind. The camaraderie and legacy in this bracket added a special layer of depth to the 50th anniversary edition, bridging the past and present of the Scottish surf scene.
Beyond the podiums and titles, what made this 50th edition so special was the shared sense of momentum. The Scottish surf community has never been stronger, and it showed—not just in the water, but on the beach, in the car parks, in the laughs around the clubhouse, and in the stories traded over beers.
The level of performance has clearly jumped another gear this year. Coaching pathways are improving, young surfers are getting more time in the water, and the influence of international exposure is beginning to shape a sharper, more confident generation. What once was niche is now proudly national.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on Saturday night and trophies were handed out to the sound of applause and cheers, there was a real sense that something had shifted. This wasn’t just the end of a contest—it was the dawn of a new era for Scottish surfing.
The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 5 of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), recommenced today in chunky, wind-affected surf on the Bells Bowl. Competitors in the men’s Opening Round, along with the women’s and men’s Elimination Rounds, put on a show in the bumpy four-to-six-foot surf on the fifth day of the window.
Alan Cleland Jr. and Italo Ferreira Lead The Way in Men’s Opening Round
Fresh off his equal-best career result at the CT level, Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX) has put on a solid opening-round performance to book a spot in the Round of 32. Cleland came up against 2022 Bells winner and two-time World Champion Filipe Toledo (AUS), as well as CT Rookie Joel Vaughan (AUS), and made his intentions clear from the start, posting a 7.00 point ride on his first wave. He then backed it up with an excellent 8.17 with three super committed, critical turns, leaving him to end the heat with a 15.00 point two-wave total (out of a possible 20), the second-highest of the men’s Opening Round.
“Surfing against Joel [Vaughan], he’s one of my best friends, and then surfing against [Filipe] Toledo, he’s one of the best in the world, so I was super excited to get in the water,” Cleland said. “We’ve been waiting a couple of days, and the waves have been small. Luckily enough, the swell picked up, and it’s a bit windy, but the waves are super fun, and I’m just stoked to get a couple out there. I love this place, hanging out with all the locals. I went to a footy game last night. It’s just been rad. I’m stoked to be here and stoked to get some waves. I’m grateful for every opportunity. I’m grateful to wake up every morning and go surf. It’s such a good sport, and I’m just happy to do what I do. You just can’t ask for more when there are waves.”
2018 Bells winner and current World No. 1 Italo Ferreira (AUS) came out firing in Heat 6 of the men’s Opening Round, delivering both the highest single-wave score and heat total of the day. Looking in top form, Ferreira attacked one of the bigger sets with power and precision, earning a 7.17 before locking in an impressive 8.15 to secure his win. Local wildcard Xavier Huxtable (AUS) also progressed to the Round of 32 with a solid performance. Ferreira’s backhand looked ominous as he blasted massive turns on solid sections, remaining fans of his capabilities in the bigger sets.
“That was a great heat, I tried to find the good walls,” Ferreira said. “I know there are a lot of opportunities there, but it’s kind of hard to find the best ones. I was lucky that I had a good opportunity in the beginning to score 7 points, and then after that, 8 points on the other one. It’s always fun competing at Bells, I always feel excited to find a good wall and go hard, and I’m stoked.”
Ramzi Boukhiam Suffers Knee Injury and Withdraws From Event
At the end of Heat 6, an exchange between Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) and Xavier Huxtable (AUS) saw the pair waiting on the shoreline to hear scores and see who would be sent to the Elimination Round. As Boukhiam waited in shallow water on the rock shelf, his leg slipped into a hole, and a wave pushed him forward, causing an injury to his knee that required him to be carried off the beach by an ATV. After the initial assessment, Boukhiam withdrew from the event as he would be unable to surf his Elimination Round heat. He went to the hospital for further scans and assessment, and WSL will have an update on his condition soon.
Event Hopefuls Bounce Back in Elimination Round
Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) bounced back from a disappointing Opening Round heat with an emphatic performance in the Elimination Round at Bells to overcome Olympians Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) and Vahine Fierro (FRA). Sakura Johnson looked right at home in the Bells Bowl, carving and punching her way to an 11.84 two-wave total to progress with Erostrabe, while Fierro was eliminated in equal 17th place.
“It’s always frustrating to end up in the Elimination Round,” Sakura Johnson said. “But, I think I needed that, I think I needed another shot out here at Bells just to get on top of a few things. It’s always interesting coming up against rookies because you don’t really know what to expect at a new location, so I’m happy to have performed and find a bit of a rhythm out here. I know it’s a wave I could do well at.”
In the last two years, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) has finished in fifth and third place here at Bells, and given his runner-up finish at El Salvador just a week ago, it was a shock to see him in the Elimination Round today. The South African got his 2025 Bells campaign back on track in Heat 1 of the Elimination Round, posting a 14.57 two-wave total to claim an impressive win over Jackson Bunch (HAW) and Edgard Groggia (BRA). McGillivray’s fins-free explosive approach made for one of the most exciting performances of the day. McGillivray will take on Griffin Colapinto (USA) in the Round of 32 when the competition resumes.
“The Elimination Round is pretty stressful,” McGillivray said. “I didn’t get a good start in my Opening Round Heat, which just threw me off and had me waiting a lot of minutes. Coming into that heat, I really wanted to get a good start and a quick one. I seem to get good momentum when I get a couple of waves early, and there were plenty of waves in the heat, so we all had a lot of opportunity, which was good. It will be fun to match up with Griffin again. He’s such a gnarly competitor and someone that inspires me and pushes me, so it will be great to come up against him.”
Marco Mignot (FRA) and Seth Moniz (HAW) were able to sneak through their elimination round heat to defeat Deivid Silva (BRA), who was eliminated in equal 33rd place. It was one of the tightest heats, with less than 1.50 points separating all three surfers.
The last heat of the day saw Brazilian trio João Chianca (BRA), Alejo Muniz (BRA), and Ian Gouveia (BRA) fight for a spot in the Round of 32. Muniz looked to find a groove at Bells to take the win while Chianca progressed in second place, leaving Gouveia to be eliminated and now shift his focus to the Gold Coast.
Caitlin Simmers and Barron Mamiya Make the Mid-season Cut
With today’s results, Caity Simmers (USA) and Barron Mamiya (HAW) have each secured their spot on the CT beyond the Mid-season Cut as they progress into the Round of 16 and Round of 32, respectively.
Mixed Results For Event Wildcards on Second Day of Competition
Rip Curl Trials Winner Morgan Cibilic (AUS) showed some of the form that saw him finish No. 5 in the world back in 2021 as he posted a two-wave total of 14.06 to overcome Bells standout Ethan Ewing (AUS). Cibilic’s speed and finesse on the rail were on point and saw him book a spot in the Round of 32 along with Ewing, while their opponent, Seth Moniz (HAW), contested the Elimination Round and was able to progress into the Round of 32.
“It’s always good to come back down to Bells, it’s so nice down here, I love it,” Cibilic said. “I know we haven’t had amazing waves yet, but it looks like it’s going to get fun throughout the contest, so I’m stoked just to be here. Pushing yourself here [at Bells] with the world’s best, there’s nothing better than that to get you ready for the year ahead. Hopefully, I can go deep in this event and set myself up for a good year this year.”
Victorian Trials Winners Xavier Huxtable (AUS) and Carly Shanahan (AUS) had mixed results for the local crowd. Huxtable progressed into the Round of 32, while Shanahan was defeated by Olympic Gold Medalist and 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA), and World Junior Champion Luana Silva (BRA), who was in searing form in the Elimination Round.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 12.84 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 10.20, Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 8.07
HEAT 2: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 12.00 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 8.20, Joao Chianca (BRA) 7.77
HEAT 3: Jordy Smith (RSA) 12.54 DEF. George Pittar (AUS) 10.77, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 8.87
HEAT 4: Ian Gentil (HAW) 13.07 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 10.13, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 9.90
HEAT 5: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 14.06 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.97, Seth Moniz (HAW) 8.67
HEAT 6: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.67 DEF. Xavier Huxtable (AUS) 11.44, Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 11.00
HEAT 7: Jack Robinson (AUS) 12.93 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.56, Marco Mignot (FRA) 11.23
HEAT 8: Connor O’Leary (JPN) 10.76 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.16, Deivid Silva (BRA) 8.70
HEAT 9: Jake Marshall (USA) 13.80 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.53, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 9.43
HEAT 10: Alan Cleland (MEX) 15.00 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.34, Joel Vaughan (AUS) 7.67
HEAT 11: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.37 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 10.33, Jackson Bunch (HAW) 8.67
HEAT 12: Cole Houshmand (USA) 10.33 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 10.33, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 9.46
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 14.53 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 12.97, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 10.50
HEAT 2: Joel Vaughan (AUS) DEF. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) , Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) INJ
HEAT 3: Marco Mignot (FRA) 10.67 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 10.60, Deivid Silva (BRA) 10.53
HEAT 4: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.63 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 10.00, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 9.44
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
HEAT 2: Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS)
HEAT 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 5: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
HEAT 6: Crosby Colapinto (USA) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS)
HEAT 7: Cole Houshmand (USA) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS)
HEAT 8: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
HEAT 9: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Xavier Huxtable (AUS)
HEAT 10: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 11: Rio Waida (INA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 12: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 13: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
HEAT 14: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 15: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. George Pittar (AUS)
HEAT 16: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW)
Ben Larg is poised to grasp the professional surfing career he had always dreamt of. But just days after signing contracts with Red Bull and O’Neill he is victim to an unprovoked assault, derailing his career. The 18-year-old Scottish big wave surfer faces injuries, failed surgeries and self-doubt as he navigates the road to adulthood and battles to regain his place in one of the world’s most deadly arena’s. More than an action sports documentary, this is a coming-of-age story, exploring themes of psychological recovery, the modern day pressures of social media and the persistence to achieve a dream when the odds are stacked against you.
Raised on an Isolated Scottish island with a population of 600, Ben did the unthinkable and became Scotland’s first professional surfer. This year he took it another step and became youngest surfer to compete the WSL Tow Surf Challenge. Not only that he secured third place over some of the best in the world.
We believe this is truly, a one of a kind surf documentary, with themes relatable to those within and outwith the surfing world. We discuss localism openly with input from top names Nic Von Rupp and Andrew Cotton and see the pressures of the action sports, paying respect to the grit of young athletes today.
Directed and Filmed by: Antoine Couturier & Samuel Howard
Produced by: Samuel Howard
Executive Producer: Beatrix Wood
Edited by: Antoine Couturier
Colour Grade: Max Ferguson Hook
Sound Design + Mix: Isobel Cope + Fin Mowat
Beyond the Island – Exclusive Preview Screenings 26th & 27th of April at Lost Shore Surf Resort
