Boardmasters surfing competition upgraded to QS 4,000 status

A major surfing competition held at Fistral Beach in Newquay has been upgraded to one of Europe's highest-ranking events on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series circuit.

The Boardmasters OPEN will move from QS 2,000 to QS 4,000 status for 2026, placing it among the top three Qualifying Series competitions in Europe and increasing the ranking points available to competitors.

Organisers said the upgrade would attract a stronger international field and provide British surfers with a greater opportunity to earn valuable world ranking points on home waves as they aim to progress towards the Challenger Series and ultimately the Championship Tour.

A Boardmasters spokesperson said surfing had always been at the heart of the festival and described the upgrade as a "critical opportunity" for British surfers pursuing their goals of competing at the highest level and building towards future Olympic Games.

The World Surf League said the increased status would strengthen the event's position within the European qualifying calendar. WSL Europe Tour Manager Rob Gunning said the additional ranking points were expected to attract a stronger field of competitors to Newquay.

The competition will continue to host the European Longboard Title finals, with longboard divisions remaining as LQS 1,000 events.

Changes are also being made to the event's junior surfing programme. The standalone Boardmasters Junior Surf Competition will not take place in 2026. Instead, support will be directed through the Boardmasters Foundation towards the Surfing England Junior Surf Series and development initiatives delivered alongside GB Surfing.

Wildcard places in the QS 4,000 competition have already been awarded to surfers from Surfing England's Pro Junior event at Watergate Bay, including winners Lukas Skinner and Georgie May-Hicks, along with runners-up Willow Smith and Fynn Gillespie.

Two-time defending Boardmasters OPEN champion Lukas Skinner said the upgrade was "massive" and that he was looking forward to attempting a third consecutive title in front of a home crowd.

British surfer Alys Barton, who recently became the first British woman to qualify for the WSL Challenger Series, said the higher status event would allow UK surfers to compete against some of Europe's best surfers while earning significant ranking points.

The Boardmasters OPEN will take place at Fistral Beach in Newquay from 5 to 9 August 2026.

The event is in partnership with YETI.