Surf, Swell & Sewage – A Real Look at the Season So Far 🌊

Hey everyone,

Kate here – and what a rollercoaster few months it’s been for UK competition surfing!

If you surf, you know it’s one of the most unpredictable sports out there. Every session depends on the perfect mix of swell, tide, and wind – and lately, the surf calendar has really proved that point.

The Boardriders Competition at Porthtowan started off as an incredible event. The waves were firing, the atmosphere was electric, and the community came together in full force. But heartbreakingly, the final day had to be called off due to sewage pollution. It was such a stark reminder of how fragile our coastlines are, and how much work still needs to be done to protect them.

Then came the BUCS British University Championships. This time, it wasn’t pollution or weather that stopped play, it was the complete opposite: the waves went flat. But in true surf spirit, the students travelled down anyway, soaking up the weekend in Newquay and making the most of Sunday when the swell finally returned.

Next week we head to the Surfing England National Championships – a contest that’s already been rescheduled several times for every reason imaginable: waves too small, waves too big, and a few clashes on the calendar. But that’s surfing, and that’s what makes it so unique. When the stars align, it’s magic – and we’ve all got our fingers crossed this one goes ahead.

Each competitor will receive a bar of Radical Wax to compete with, made from natural ingredients, born from a love of the ocean, and crafted to perform without harming the planet.

We’ll also be joining forces with the 2 Minute Foundation and One Blue Eye for a beach clean at the event. Our brand-new beach clean station will be set up for everyone to get involved. After the event, Matt and I will take the collected plastic down to his workshop, where it’ll be repurposed into Radical Wax combs – turning beach waste into something useful for surfers once again.

It’s been a wild season already, full of lessons, community, and resilience. The ocean reminds us every day that we’re not in control, we’re part of something much bigger.

See you in the waves,
Kate
Founder, Radical Wax