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.
