Tag: surfing

BBC ALBA rides the wave of excitement ahead of Olympic surfing competition

As the world’s best surfers prepare to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games, keen surfer Ceitlin Lilidh presents a new BBC ALBA series on the world history of surfing.

From the super waves of Tahiti to the winter wave challenges of Thurso – and now, the Olympics – BBC ALBA journeys through the rich spirituality, sport and culture of surfing in Surfing: Marcachd an Tuinn/Riding the Wave.

Airing on Tuesday 23 July at 9pm, the two-part documentary is the latest series from producers MacTV, co-produced with French company Yami2 and directed by John Murdo MacAulay.

Producer Ann Morrison said: “It’s much more than a sport to the people of Tahiti where surfing was born, it is an expression of the culture – the culture of the people of the water, the Polynesians. 

“While much of the rich culture and history of the Polynesian people was almost wiped out, thanks to guardians like Tom Pōhaku Stone, the traditions of dancing on wooden boards was passed on to future generations and to the rest of the world where it is now practiced by tens of millions of enthusiasts.”

From being an exotic distraction for Westerners vacationing in Hawaii in the early 20th century, to exploding on the west coast of America as part of the burgeoning California beach scene, it didn’t take long for surfing to reach the cold Scottish shores as a brave few donned their swimming gear and makeshift surfboards.

Margaret Cameron, MG ALBA director of content, added: “Surfing has taken the sporting world by storm – so much so that it has now earned its place at the Olympics.

“After making its debut appearance at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, it’s now a firm fixture in the Olympic schedule. We’re excited to share the history of surfing with audiences across the country before we keenly watch how its next chapter plays out at the Paris Olympic Games later this month.”

Join Ceitlin Lilidh for a whirlwind world history of surfing – covering everything from the spirituality, celebrity, fashion and fun of the sport, with Surfing: Marcachd an Tuinn/Riding the Wave premiering on BBC ALBA and iPlayer on Tuesday 23 July at 9pm (in Gaelic with English subtitles).

The second part will air on Tuesday 30 July. Watch live or on demand: 

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021dn5

Revealed: First look at destination making big waves in Scotland

New pictures give a first look at the world’s first inland surfing resort in Edinburgh. Lost Shore Surf Resort will be Scotland’s newest premier tourism and leisure destination. 

Complete with luxury lodges, premium accommodation pods, restaurants, spa and shopping, it is set within a 60 acre country park and will open in September 2024.

Images released to the public for the very first time, show the stunning accommodation pods that will be available for people wanting to enjoy the surfing at a wave pool three times the size of Wembley football pitch.

With a beachfront stretching for 250 metres, the surfing lagoon is going to be the biggest across all of Europe, but it is also going to be one of the most advanced on the planet. The cutting edge wave technology, developed by Wavegarden, is capable of producing up to 1000 customisable waves per hour, from 52 software driven modules.

Surfers will be able to enjoy wave rides of up to 22 seconds, and with more than 20 different varieties of waves, there are opportunities for all abilities. 

Beginners will be able to benefit from expert tuition from surfing instructors and wetsuits and surfboard hire will be included in the cost.

As well as using surfboards from leading brands, the state of the art wetsuits will ensure that surfers will stay warm regardless of the weather, with heated indoor changing rooms to use before and after.

Bosses have also revealed that vouchers are now on sale to celebrate the first look for the public, and the launch of the new website.

These limited numbers of vouchers for surfing and accommodation are at huge discounts. Overnight pod stay vouchers can be purchased from as little as £100 for two people. 

For expert tuition or a session in the surf lagoon, multiple session vouchers are on sale from £100 meaning each hour-long session can be as little as £25 including surfboard and wetsuit hire. This is considerably cheaper than other inland surfing locations anywhere in the world.

Tourism leaders and surfing stars have hailed the milestone as a huge moment for Scottish tourism and surfing in the UK.

Marc Crothall MBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, said: “This spectacular resort is going to be a real game changer for Scottish tourism. Not only will this attract people from all over the UK, but from right across the world.

“To have an asset like this just 10 minutes from Edinburgh Airport and on the doorstep of an already world famous tourism destination is fantastic. These new pictures show what an incredible place this will be. I cannot wait to see it open in September.”

Scottish big wave professional surfing star and Red Bull athlete, Ben Larg, added: “As a pro surfer this is incredible. Lost Shore is going to push up the level of Scottish surfing, bring so many more people to the sport, and, who knows, maybe get some Scots in the Team GB squad for the Olympics.

“It can be really difficult to access surfing in Scotland sometimes, but this is going to deliver reliable waves all the time. If I had access to this sort of facility when I was young, I would be such a better surfer now. That’s why Lost Shore will be so good for the next generation.”

Andy Hadden, founder of Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “It is so incredibly exciting for us to share these new images. Bringing the world’s first inland surfing resort to Scotland is such a huge addition to the world class tourism that we already have.

“To celebrate our new website, we are offering amazing value on our vouchers, allowing you to be one of the first to enjoy the resort at a fantastic discount. Get together with friends or start planning that family holiday, buying your experiences now at the best price they will ever be.”

Lost Shore is less than half an hour by car to Edinburgh city centre and only 45 minutes from Glasgow. The new website with full information and voucher details can be found at: https://www.lostshore.com/

Crest of a Wave: First for Scotland as surf park gets go-ahead

The team behind Wavegarden Scotland and Scottish surfers alike are celebrating the news that the planning application to build a Wavegarden Cove at Craigpark Quarry has been given the green light.

The disused quarry near Ratho will now be transformed into a world-class surf park and family leisure attraction – a first for Scotland. Continue reading Crest of a Wave: First for Scotland as surf park gets go-ahead