Scarborough’s annual Surf Festival is back for 2023 and with it the promise of a fun day for everyone, from experienced surfers to those who have never set foot on a board.
The festival, coordinated by us, will take place on Saturday, 30 September, between 10am and 4pm in the town’s North Bay.
Scarborough Surf School will run two youth surfing competitions, one for children aged under 12, when foam boards will be provided but participants must wear their own wetsuit, and one for under-16s, when competitors will need to provide their own boards and wetsuits.
Competitors must be self-sufficient in the surf line and able to paddle out and take off on unbroken waves efficiently. It will also offer two taster sessions at 10am for adults and 11am for juniors.
Registration for both competitions and the taster sessions is online via the surf school booking system.
Happy Seal Yoga will host three sessions by the sea at 10.30am, 12.30pm and a men-only session at 11.30am. Each session will cost £4 per person. Booking is via the Happy Seal Yoga website.
Dissent Skateboard shop is already fully booked for its taster skate sessions on the piazza and The Wave Project will put on adaptive surf sessions.
Dexter’s Surf School will offer an adult taster session at 10am and a junior taster session at 11am. These will be free but a donation of £7 to the Mind charity is suggested. Pre-booking is essential by calling Dexter’s Surf Shop on 01723 377565.
Executive member for culture, arts and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “North Bay is the perfect setting for this fun, family-friendly festival which promises a great boost for the mind, body and soul.
“Wave conditions will be firmly down to Mother Nature, but what we can guarantee is something for everyone, from seasoned surfers to those just curious to see what all the fuss is about.”
Beyond the surf, a colourful display of vintage VW Campers and Beetles will line the promenade from the Freddie Gilroy sculpture to the piazza outside The Sands complex.
There will be lots of stalls to browse, Greek street food, freshly made pizza and sweet treats to enjoy.
People will be able to have a go on the surf simulator and climbing wall and get involved in creating large scale sand art on the beach with Animated Objects.
Anyone that wants to try an invigorating dip in the sea can join The Hub sea swimmers at the piazza slipway at 10am.