The GB Cup will take place in Thurso, Scotland, from October 24th to 26th, 2025. However, it’s expected that the event will not require the full three-day window to complete.
Twelve-person teams from England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the host nation, Scotland, will compete for the coveted overall team title, as well as individual honours in both the Open Men’s and Open Women’s divisions. England enters as the defending champions, having claimed the title in Jersey last year.
The competition returns to Scotland for the first time since 2021, when it was held during the COVID pandemic. Hosting duties rotate annually among the home nations, and in 2025, Scotland has the honour of welcoming the event once again. Thurso, renowned for some of Europe’s best waves, was chosen as the venue. The area has a long-standing history of hosting prestigious events, dating back to the early 1980s with both British and European Championships.
As Scotland’s only opportunity to host the competition in the next four years, local athletes, particularly those from Thurso, will be looking to make the most of their home turf advantage. Members of the North Shore Surf Club, such as Dylan Fogarty-Macdonald, Olivia MacKay, Finn MacDonald, Phoebe Strachan, Mark Boyd, and Craig McLachlan, are regulars at Thurso-East and will look to leverage their intimate knowledge of the waves to excel in the competition. The full Scottish team is as follows:
Each country will send its top four men and women who have qualified via their national championships. The additonal two spots for both men and women for each team are allocated to wilcards selected by the country’s national federation. The top four individual placings for both men and women will count to each countrys final overall ranking and individual results will contribute towards selection for the British team vying for Olympic qualification.
The primary competition venue will be Thurso-East, but backup locations—such as Brims Ness and Sinclairs Bay—are on standby in case conditions at Thurso-East are unsuitable. Event organisers will assess the forecast leading up to the competition and make adjustments accordingly, while also ensuring there is time for freesurfing within the event window.
Thanks to the Strategic Events Grant Fund, funded by the UK Government and supported by the Highland Council. Thanks also to our partners Christian Surfers Scotland, North Shore Surf Club and the Pentland Hotel for their support.
GB Surfing and Scottish Surfing are seeking commercial sponsorship for the event. If you or your company are interested in supporting the event please contact info@scottishsurfing.scot
