Logan Nicol — Photo: @livs3rdeye
Regional Report — Wales
Wales 🏴
Wales has always punched above its weight — a rugged, swell-hungry coastline stretching from Pembrokeshire to the Llŷn Peninsula, and a community that knows exactly what to do when the Atlantic delivers. For our first Welsh dispatch, we've handed the mic to Callum Thomas — surfer, local, and someone who's been in the water for all of it. Here's his take:
The swell didn't stop from January till May for most of Europe, so it's going to be hard to cover everything that's happened in God's country — here are some highlights.
Porthcawl
Porthcawl has a great surfing community and most spots handle different conditions, so there's always somewhere to find. Logan Nicol testing the air game at Coney Beach.
George Schofield — Photo: Tony John
George Schofield doesn't miss much and has the backhand to prove. Aside from drinking coffee and texting me the surf report, here's a nice off the top from the local legend.
Gower
Patrick Langdon-Dark — Photo: Rhodri Williams
Patrick Langdon-Dark has been home most of the winter, planning his wedding later this month and sharpening his tools ready for the QS season. Gower probably lacked the most versatile options with the south-easterly winds that blew from January till April. Some spots had moments, but for the Langland crew it was a quiet start.
The crisp mornings in Llangennith and the walk up to the peaks can sometimes pay off.
Photo: @langlandboardriders
Alys Barton recently qualified for the Challenger Series, making her the first British surfer to achieve this. Langland Board Riders held a fundraising night to get everyone together and celebrate the success so far before Alys takes on her biggest challenge yet.
"Making her the first British surfer to achieve this."
Pembrokeshire
Photo: Dai Williams / @seasidehues
Photographer Dai Williams has always been amongst it, ensuring he doesn't miss the best days. These long-distance swells and easterly winds have lit up parts of Wales this year. The Pembrokeshire crew haven't got it easy but always seem to find the good corners — whether it's a left wedge or a right-hand barrel. There's always a strong crew out, from Tenby's Will Howells to the Buik brothers from St David's.
Al Morris in his natural habitat — Photo: @seasidehues
Al Morris in his natural habitat.
Cardigan
Elliot Barton — Photo: @seasidehues
Some days require getting in the car and going for a spin. Elliot Barton set his alarm this day, whilst Al Morris… again found some shade from the spring sun.
Welsh Nationals
Welsh Nationals — Photo: Peter Price
The Welsh Nationals went down in an epic weekend of sun and surf. Full write up: https://www.carvemag.com/2026/05/new-champions-crowned-at-welsh-nationals-2026/
North Shore Prosthetics Hawaiian Surfing Championships
Llywelyn 'Sponge' Williams — Photo: @tommypierucki
That's a wrap on the North Shore Prosthetics Hawaiian Surfing Championships. It's been a while since Sponge last placed 3rd — Mark and Dariel used their priority perfectly and picked off the best waves. After the sunscreen incident during the semi-finals, he was lucky just to make it into the finals. What an incredible day of surf though — great waves all day and amazing performances from everyone involved. Next stop: Adaptive Surf Japan.
As I tap out of my first regional report, I look forward to keeping people up to date. In the meantime — Da boch.
