England’s best surfers will return to tackle the waves of Watergate Bay this May in the Headworx English Nationals. This is one of the biggest events on the UK surfing calendar, sifting out hot new talent to decide the national surfing champions.

Now in its 36th year, the Headworx English Nationals will see over 300 surfers competing from Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th May. As well as the prestige of being crowned a national champ, the winning junior surfers will also enhance their chances of representing England at the European Junior Surfing Championships later this year.

The Extreme Academy has been home to the English Nationals since 2002. With quality peaks at all stages of the tide, Watergate Bay’s two mile stretch of beach gives organisers the option to run four sets of heats simultaneously throughout the three days of competition.

This year will also see some new categories, including stand-up paddle surf for the first time. The discipline, which combines elements of longboarding with traditional Polynesian outrigger canoes, sees surfers standing up on their boards using a single canoe paddle to power them into the waves.

Those unable to make it to the beach can watch the action unfold through video content and live results on the Headworx website.