The Scottish National Surfing Championships will take place this weekend (29-31st March) at the iconic Thurso-East, with Scotland’s top surfers vying for the title.
In the Open Women event, Phoebe Strachan will look to retain her title and extend her domination of the event to five titles in a row.
Last year’s Masters champion, Mark Boyd, will return and will hope to make it three championship wins in a row in that category.
He will also take part in the Open Men event and hope to claim his 4th Open Men title after coming second to Craig McLachlan, who also won the junior event, in 2023.
This year’s event has some added excitement as it could also act as qualification for the Scotland team who will attend the ISA World Surfing Games in 2025.
The contest venue is at one of Scotland’s prime surfing spots, Thurso-East, and overlooked by the remains of Thurso Castle.
The location has held international events in the past and is famed for its cold water surfing.
Competition divisions this weekend include Open Men, Open Women, Masters (35+) and Grand Kahunas (50+).
The Longboard division will take place at Pease Bay in the Scottish Borders later in April and the Juniors will take place in Tiree later in the year.
The event is overseen by the Scottish Surfing Federation who has been managing the sport in Scotland for nearly 50 years.
This year’s event is supported by EventScotland’s National Events Programme and will be broadcast live online and on the Scottish Surfing Federation’s Facebook page.
Spectators are encouraged to watch the action from the event site or the pier.
Jason Simpson, Director at the Scottish Surfing Federation, said:
“The Scottish Surfing Championships have been going for more than 50 years now and it is always one of the highlights in the Scottish surfing calendar.
“Thurso-East is an incredible location to surf and will provide excellent conditions for competition as well as a memorable spectator experience.
“We have a really strong field this year in all of our categories and are expecting some great rivalries.
“We are hugely grateful to all of our partners and sponsors for their support which will ensure this weekend will be a brilliant event.”
Mark Boyd, who is vying to reclaim the Open Mens title and looking to retain his Masters title, said:
“I’m really looking forward to competing in this year’s event as there is such a high calibre of surfers coming through really pushing the level of surfing in Scotland”
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at EventScotland, said:
“EventScotland is delighted to be supporting the Scottish National Surfing Championships through our National Events Programme.
“Events play an important role in our communities by offering us the chance to come together and share memorable experiences while also bringing social and economic benefits.
“Thurso East will provide the perfect stage for the Championships, and I wish everyone competing over the Easter weekend the best of luck.”
