From Morocco to the UK Surf Scene
The first Surf & Skate Expo I ever went to was at Anchor Point in Morocco back in 2024. From that moment on, I remember thinking: we need something like this in the UK.
We’ve got Boardmasters and a handful of solid local surf events, but nothing that really runs over a few days and brings together surf, skate, surf related businesses, and culture in one place — the way Anchor Point did.
Fast forward a year… and we had one of our own. Just a few hours down the coast!
Heading South for the UK Surf and Skate Expo
Boards strapped, wetsuits partially dry, we headed south to Cornwall — the land of top pasties and the birthplace of core British surf culture. Our base for the weekend overlooked Towan Beach, which meant wave checks from the window instead of relying on the Surfline cam. A small win, but a big one.
Being that close to the beach made the whole weekend feel surf-first — exactly how it should be.
Out of My Comfort Zone: The UK Surf Show Podcast
We linked up with two absolute legends, Pete and Mitch from the UK Surf Show. After a solid chinwag, I somehow found myself jumping onto the podcast.
Completely out of my comfort zone — but one of those moments where you just say yes and figure it out as you go.
Coming from a background of labouring, bar work, and building sites, this honestly felt more intimidating than rewiring a house or sparring the heavyweights in Jiu Jitsu. But we got stuck in, got it done, and well, well see what the finished product looks like when it drops haha.
Conversations, Sustainability, and Surf Legends
Across the weekend, the UK Surf and Skate Expo put on some quality talks. Some were business-focused, others centred around sustainability in the surf industry — all proper conversations.
We also got to listen to the legend that is big wave surfer and HBO's 100 Foot Wave star Andrew 'Cotty' Cotton, which was a personal highlight in itself for me.
Like-Minded Brands and Shared Ambition
One of the best parts of the weekend was meeting so many like-minded surf and skate brands chasing the same goal — turning a passion into a full-time career within the surf industry. Just wanting to indulge and commit the rest of our lives surrounded by waves.
We came away inspired, motivated, and quietly proud. Not just for giving the podcast a go, but for being part of something that feels like it’s building real momentum in UK surf culture.
A Late Surf and Zero Waves (By Me)
The weekend wrapped up with a late evening surf at Great Western Beach with Pete and Mitch — where zero waves were surfed by me. The waves were steep, heavy, and absolutely not interested in letting my longboard survive the drop.
As I’ve said before, I’m a self-proclaimed below-average surfer with an obsession, and this was one of those sessions where knowing your limits is probably the smartest move. I took a few funny looks walking down the beach with a longboard, and in hindsight… I now know why.
That said, just managing to get out the back in heavy overhead surf felt like an achievement in itself. I didn't die, and I managed to get back in, wins all round.
Looking Ahead
All in all, a wicked experience. Great people, proper conversations, and a renewed hunger to keep pushing Kookville to the next level.
Kookville stall at the next UK Surf & Skate Expo? — let’s see what the future holds.
