200 SURFERS REGISTERED AS EARTHWAVE GETS THE GO-AHEAD
With 200 Wave Riders signed up, promising surf conditions and a beach full of family activities, Newquay is ready for an unforgettable day at Great Western Beach.
NEWQUAY, CORNWALL | Thursday 29 October 2026
The wait is over! Earthwave Newquay has officially been given the green light for Saturday 31 October, and with 200 Wave Riders registered, the stage is set for a spectacular return of the iconic surfing event!
Following a review of the latest surf and weather forecasts, Earthwave organisers, alongside water safety specialists ERA Adventures, Newquay Boardriders and Great Western Beach, have collectively made the call: GAME ON!
The forecast is looking fantastic, with moderate conditions in the bay, fun waist-high waves and even a little sunshine expected. Ideal conditions for what promises to be an epic celebration of surfing, community and coastal life.
200 WAVE RIDERS. ONE WAVE. ONE WORLD RECORD TO BEAT!
With approximately 200 surfers registered, including volunteers and invited participants, Earthwave is gearing up to challenge the world record for the most surfers riding a single wave together.
The record of 110 surfers was set at Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town, in 2009, at an Earthwave event founded by South African surfer and event organiser Dene Botha.
Seventeen years later, Earthwave is back, and this time the action is happening on British shores.
Earthwave founder Dene Botha said: “GREEN LIGHT. LET’S RIDE! I can’t tell you how good it feels to finally say those words.
We’ve been watching the forecasts closely, working with our incredible water safety team at ERA Adventures and local partners, and everything is lining up beautifully for Saturday.
And 200 registered Wave Riders?! That’s just EPIC! After everything we’ve been through to get here, seeing that kind of support from the surfing community is genuinely humbling.
But Earthwave has always been about more than breaking a record. It’s about bringing people together, celebrating the ocean and creating something that everyone can be part of.
We’ve got the surfers. We’ve got the beach. We’ve got the waves. Now let’s have some FUN!”
A WHOLE BEACH FULL OF FUN!
While the mass Wave Ride is the centrepiece, Earthwave is much more than a surfing event.
From 10am, Great Western Beach will come alive with activities, competitions, music, food, entertainment and fantastic prizes for the whole family.
And there’s still time to get involved!
NORTHSHORE SOFTBOARD SURF-OFF – CALLING ALL GROMS!
12PM | Under 16s | Limited spaces remaining
Presented by Newquay Boardriders, the Northshore Softboard Surf-Off gives the next generation of surfers the chance to show off their skills in fun-filled 30-minute heats.
Whether it’s throwing cutbacks, surfing backwards, riding tandem or simply enjoying some friendly competition, this one’s all about having fun in the water!
With prizes from Northshore Surf Shop, BeachBum, Sola Wetsuits and Lenzi Optical, there’s plenty to paddle out for.
Softboards only, and awards and prize categories will be announced on the day.
Grab your Softboard Surf-Off ticket
START & CO. DIG FOR GOLD – LITTLE DIGGERS, BIG TREASURES!
Ages 10 and under | Limited spaces remaining
For the younger beachgoers, Start & Co. Dig for Gold promises a treasure-hunting adventure right on the sand!
Little explorers will get the chance to dig for hidden treasures and uncover some fantastic prizes, including caps, beanies, T-shirts, goodies and even a £150 Sola Wetsuits voucher.
And the best part? Every child is guaranteed a prize worth at least the price of their ticket!
SHAKA STUDIOS CAPTURE EARTHWAVE – GET SNAPPING!
All day | Open to everyone
Whether you’re a budding photographer, content creator or simply someone with a smartphone and a good eye, Shaka Studios Capture Earthwave is your chance to capture the magic!
From the action in the waves to the smiles, celebrations and little moments on the beach, Earthwave wants to see the day through your lens.
Visitors can register at the beach and submit their best photographs through the event’s QR-code entry system.
With fantastic prizes up for grabs, winners will be announced on Wednesday 4 November.
THE WAVE PROJECT CHARITY RAFFLE – WIN BIG, GIVE BACK!
Earthwave is delighted to have The Wave Project involved, with a fantastic charity raffle offering some incredible prizes.
The raffle will be managed through The Wave Project’s own fundraising platform, with the draw taking place on Monday 2 November.
It’s a brilliant opportunity to win some fantastic prizes while supporting a charity that uses surfing to improve young people’s wellbeing.
MUSIC, FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT AND MORE!
And that’s not all! Expect beachside music, food and refreshments, competitions, giveaways and plenty of good vibes throughout the day.
Whether you’re paddling out, cheering from the sand, bringing the kids or simply soaking up the atmosphere, everyone’s invited to be part of the celebration.
FROM UNFINISHED BUSINESS TO MAKING HISTORY
Following the postponement of September’s original event, Earthwave’s organisers are particularly excited to finally bring the event to life.
Botha added: “When we postponed it in September, we said this was unfinished business. And we meant it!
The support we’ve received since then has been phenomenal. From our water safety team and event partners to local businesses, volunteers and every single person who’s signed up, this has been a real community effort. Now we’ve got the green light, 200 surfers ready to go and what looks like a cracking day ahead of us.
So whether you’re a surfer, a parent, a grandparent, a little grom or just someone who loves a good day at the beach, come on down!
Let’s fill Great Western Beach with people, smiles and stoke. Newquay, this one’s for you!”
EVENT DETAILS – EARTHWAVE NEWQUAY 2026
Saturday 31 October 2026 | Great Western Beach, Newquay
- From 10am: Event activities, registration, music, food and entertainment
- 11am: Start & Co. Dig for Gold (under 10s)
- 12pm: Northshore Softboard Surf-Off (Under 16s)
- 2pm: Earthwave World Record Attempt, subject to final water safety clearance
- Throughout the day: Shaka Studios Capture Earthwave, Wave Project charity raffle, Earthwave raffle, competitions and giveaways
- Monday 2 November: The Wave Project charity raffle draw
- Wednesday 4 November: Capture Earthwave winners announced
Spectators and families are welcome.
LIMITED SPACES REMAIN FOR OUR CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES!
Book your places now:
Northshore Softboard Surf-Off – Under 16s
Start & Co. Dig for Gold – Ages 10 and Under
For full event information, visit www.earthwave.surf.
Media enquiries and interview opportunities
Earthwave
www.earthwave.surf
Media are welcome to attend. Interviews with founder Dene Botha and event partners can be arranged in advance via dene@earthwave.surf
