Welsh Surfing Federation look ahead to Welsh National Surfing Championships 2026
The Welsh Surfing Federation (WSF) is looking ahead to the Welsh National Surfing Championships 2026 later this month, with competition in both the Men’s and Women’s Divisions having never been fiercer.
In preparation, WSF journalist Steve White has chatted to two standout athletes who will be eyeing titles.
Welsh warrior Josie Hawke will be hopeful of adding to previous national titles following a strong showing at the Croyde Pro Junior 2026 last month, where she stepped onto the podium twice.
The multiple Welsh Nationals winner and last year’s Rip Curl GromSearch UK champ showed her mettle against some of the nation’s best junior surfers to place second in the U16 and third in the U18 girls’ division at pumping Croyde.
“I spent International Women’s Day at the Croyde Pro Junior surf competition,” she told WSF. “On the first day, the surf was amazing and I managed to win all my heats and get the highest single-wave score out of all the girls. I had one stacked heat with the English and Boardmasters champion in mid-tide Croyde producing a steep left with multiple sections.”
Despite waking up ill on the second day, Josie battled through to eventually secure a close second in the U16 girls and third in the U18 girls – the only girl to reach both finals.
“It was a great experience and although the results weren’t quite what I wanted, I am proud of how I pushed through to get a place among the best surfers in the UK, especially while feeling terrible.”
Reflecting and looking ahead to what’s coming up after the Welsh Nationals, Josie confirmed she just wants to keep getting better.
“Goals-wise, I honestly just want to improve my surfing,” she concluded. “I’m also aiming to do some bigger competition this year like the Euros and junior QS events.”
Another Welsh athlete who will be keen to get on the waves at the Welsh Nationals is Eli Perrins-Davies, aiming for a title defence.
Ahead of this year’s showpiece event, the WSF also caught up with the reigning Welsh Men’s Open champion who, fresh from a surf trip to Indonesia, is aiming to make it back-to-back wins in the Vale of Glamorgan.
“Being Men’s Open Welsh Champion is definitely a dream come true for me,” he told them. “It’s a massive achievement and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do in the Men’s division. So, I’m pretty stoked with that one.
“I’m pretty happy with how I’ve prepared for The Welsh this year. I’ve been kind of getting back into that competitive mindset,” he continued.
Competing at various events has aided Perrins-Davies’ preparations and, alongside the tough competition, he’ll now look to secure another national title.
“Obviously, you’ve got the likes of Pat, Logan, Seth Morris, Elliot Barton; there’s so many good surfers. We’ll all be aiming to get silverware. But I don’t really want to think about that; I just want to focus on myself and if I can perform to the best of my ability, I’m happy.
“That’s why I want to do it.”
The Welsh National Surfing Championships 2026 are due to take place over the weekend of April 24, 25 and 26 at Llantwit Major.
Be sure to get down there to catch some amazing action and keep your eyes peeled for this year’s champions!
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