Under crisp northern skies and against a backdrop of windswept cliffs and cold Atlantic swell, the 2025 Scottish National Surfing Championships delivered a weekend to remember. Held on April 18th and 19th, this year’s edition wasn’t just another contest—it was a celebration of 50 years of Scottish competitive surfing. A milestone moment for the sport in Scotland, and one that brought with it a palpable sense of pride, community, and progression, as a new generation of surfers continued to elevate the standard of Scottish surfing.
From the moment surfers arrived on Friday morning, there was an unmistakable buzz in the air. Flags fluttered in the breeze, old friends greeted one another with warm smiles, and boards were waxed with quiet focus as the first heats of the day were called. The weather played its part too: sunshine and clean lines greeted competitors on Friday, while Saturday brought a brisker breeze and more challenging sections. Water temperatures hovered around 8°C, but for Scotland’s surfing elite, that’s just part of the game.
Three times Scottish Mens champ Craig McLachlan. Photo Sam Howard
In the Open Men’s division, it was Craig McLachlan who claimed his third consecutive national title, edging out Scottish surfing veteran Mark Boyd, with Israel Noble and Finn MacDonald taking third and fourth respectively. McLachlan’s blend of explosive turns and flow through sections saw him dominate the final heat, but not without resistance. The entire men’s bracket—from quarterfinals to final—was a display of tight scores and progressive surfing, evidence of just how far the sport has developed in Scotland in recent years.
Phoebe Strachan, Six times Scottish women champion. Photo Duncan McLachlan
On the women’s side, Phoebe Strachan further cemented her place in Scottish surfing history by taking out the Open Women’s title—her sixth national win. Strachan’s powerful backhand attack and wave selection proved too much for the rest of the field. Callie Cruickshank, Robyn Larg, and Lola Mitchell rounded out a final stacked with talent and potential, pushing each other heat after heat in what many called the most competitive women’s division the country has seen.
Ali Matheson, Grand Master champion. Photo Duncan McLachlan
In the Grand Masters Division, it was Ali Matheson who rose to the top, with Adam Robertson, Gene Clark, and Martin McQueenie following close behind. The camaraderie and legacy in this bracket added a special layer of depth to the 50th anniversary edition, bridging the past and present of the Scottish surf scene.
Beyond the podiums and titles, what made this 50th edition so special was the shared sense of momentum. The Scottish surf community has never been stronger, and it showed—not just in the water, but on the beach, in the car parks, in the laughs around the clubhouse, and in the stories traded over beers.
The level of performance has clearly jumped another gear this year. Coaching pathways are improving, young surfers are getting more time in the water, and the influence of international exposure is beginning to shape a sharper, more confident generation. What once was niche is now proudly national.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on Saturday night and trophies were handed out to the sound of applause and cheers, there was a real sense that something had shifted. This wasn’t just the end of a contest—it was the dawn of a new era for Scottish surfing.
