The Challenger Series makes its second stop of the season in California this week at the iconic US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. A pretty sweet swell forecast should provide some high-quality action for the surfers competing amid the event's famously electric atmosphere in 'Surf City USA'. For the first time, there are two surfers representing Great Britain at an event of this level.

Wales' Alys Barton pulls on her Challenger Series competition vest for only the second time following a promising start last month in South Africa. She's joined in the draw by superstar Sky Brown. The multiple Olympic medallist and world champion skateboarder lives just down the road and has received a wildcard for the event on home turf as she no doubt keeps one eye on the LA 2028 Olympics.

Alys Barton Photo: WSL/Masurel

Alice Barton on the The U.S. Open

It's been really good over here so far. I arrived about a week ago and was lucky enough to surf Huntington with only a handful of people out, which was great. It gave me a chance to get a feel for the waves before all the QS crowds arrived, as everyone knows how hectic it gets! It's been great training with my dad, Jason Apparicio and the rest of our crew, and I'm really excited for the event to get underway today.

My main takeaway from Ballito was that I was really happy with my performance in the heat. I felt like my surfing was there. I made a couple of mistakes with a few falls, and I definitely carried some nerves into the competition as it was my first-ever Challenger Series event. Overall, though, I came away really pleased with how I surfed. It was a great contest, and I really enjoyed the whole experience.

The U.S. Open is definitely one of the biggest events I've ever competed in. The setup here is incredible, and the atmosphere is on another level. I think it's such an amazing opportunity to compete against the world's best and showcase my surfing on such a big stage. I'm really excited for it to kick off today and can't wait to get out there.

Sky Brown Photo: Redbull/George Karbus

Sky Brown on her wildcard.

"The US Open is one of the most iconic events in surfing, so getting a wildcard is a huge honour. It means a lot that the WSL believes in me and has given me this opportunity," said Brown. "It's even more special that I get to compete against some of the best surfers in the world, including Erin Brooks and Sierra Kerr. We've grown up surfing together since we were little, so it's really cool that we get to share this moment."

"I've spent a lot of my time competing in skateboarding, but surfing has always been just as big a part of my life," continued Brown. "I love both sports equally, and I haven't really had the chance to show people what I can do in surfing yet, even though I surf every day when I can. So this feels like an amazing opportunity to do that."

(Words from the WSL website)

Oceana is the official environmental partner of Boardmasters, Cornwall’s own surf and music festival which, since its inception, has proudly called the Cornish coast home. Under the partnership the two organisations join forces to raise awareness and take action with a collective goal of protecting the ocean and coastlines.

This year, Boardmasters is taking its commitment a step further by backing an end to destructive fishing in marine protected areas. As part of this initiative, Boardmasters and Oceana are working with local Falmouth University arts students to create original protest art calling for true protection, which will be displayed at The View stage during the festival.

The urgency of this call is underscored by the fact that the marine protected area off Newquay, Cornwall, where the festival is held, suffered 2,494 hours of apparent bottom trawling in 2025. This destructive form of fishing, which is permitted by the government in this MPA year-round, effectively bulldozes the seabed and scoops up almost all life in its path.

Sustainability and environmental awareness has been a part of Boardmasters’ ethos since the beginning. Over the years, Boardmasters has taken industry-leading steps to reduce its impact on the local environment, working with leading consultants and innovative organisations, as well as introducing tangible initiatives to drive real results, including the festival’s Green Pledge and #LeaveOnlyFootprints campaign. Each year, Boardmasters conducts an impact report to monitor, learn and improve.

Now, through collaboration with organisations like Oceana, they are continuing this work to make Boardmasters one of the most environmentally conscious and low-impact festivals out there.

Rob Spring, Festival Director of Boardmasters said, “Sustainability matters to us at Boardmasters, and we know there's always more to do. We're grateful to work alongside Oceana, and this year we have invited students from Falmouth University to help shine a spotlight on this vital issue through their creativity. It's part of our ongoing effort to protect the coastline we're lucky to call home.

Hugo Tagholm, Executive Director of Oceana in the UK said, “It’s inspiring to work with the Boardmasters team and passionate local arts students to bring this vital message to everyone who attends this brilliant festival. It’s appalling to think that while we surf the waves of Newquay’s world-class Fistral beach, out at sea ocean life and habitats are being degraded and destroyed. We must ensure our marine sanctuaries are properly protected to safeguard ocean health and allow UK seas to thrive once again.”

With more than 300 victories to stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and more, Oceana’s work is delivering results around the world. Based out of Cornwall and London, Oceana UK's campaigns to safeguard UK seas are backed by the latest science, razor-sharp advocacy, and creative storytelling. They focus on ending new licences for oil and gas, ending overfishing, and banning destructive bottom-trawl fishing in marine protected areas. 

Boardmasters takes place from 5th - 9th August 2026. Visit boardmasters.com for more information.