On Saturday, 5 April 2025, the Scottish University Surfing Championships were held at the south end of Aberdeen Beach. The annual event brought together 56 student surfers from across Scotland for a full day of friendly but fierce competition in the North Sea. Congratulations to Dundee University Surf Club (DUSC) who took top honours!
University Surf Clubs from nine universities took part, representing:
- Edinburgh Napier University
- Heriot-Watt University
- Robert Gordon University
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Dundee
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of St Andrews
- University of Strathclyde
This year’s event was generously sponsored by Lost Shore Surf Resort, who awarded free surf sessions to the top male and female competitors. Red Bull was also on hand, keeping energy levels high by providing complimentary cans to all competitors, volunteers, and spectators throughout the day.
The event was led by Campbell Scot as Contest Director, with Billy O’Keeffe acting as Technical Director, and judging overseen by Craig Gravy, Head Judge, supported by Scottish Surfing and a fantastic group of experienced and student judges.
The event also enjoyed strong support from local businesses along the Aberdeen beachfront, who helped keep everyone fuelled and warm as the action unfolded. Aberdeen Surf Lifesaving Club provided lifeguard cover throughout the day, playing a vital role in ensuring the safety of all participants and spectators. Volunteers pitched in to set up gazebos for registration and event logistics, while a team of student officials and experienced judges managed heats.
With an early high tide, the start of the competition was slightly delayed, officially beginning around 09:15. The women’s heats kicked things off, followed by the men’s, with the finals concluding around 17:30.
The level of surfing throughout the day was outstanding. The final podiums were:
🏆 Men’s Podium
1st – Fenton Daly (EUWSC)
2nd – Ebon Parkin (HWU)
3rd – Oscar Busser (EUWSC)
4th – Finn Hayward (EUWSC)
🏆 Women’s Podium
1st – Clover Christofferson (DUSC)
2nd – Caitlin Budge (SCUSC)
3rd – Casey West (DUSC)
4th – Rachel Kimball-Jack (SAUSC)
🏅 Overall Team Results
1st – University of Dundee Surf Club (DUSC)
2nd – Edinburgh University Windsurfing & Surfing Club (EUWSC)
3rd – University of St Andrews Surf Club (SAUSC)
4th – University of Strathclyde Surf Club (SUSC)
TOTAL POINTS
Club
DUSC 4340
EUWSC 4310
USASC 3930
SCUSC 3670
GUSC 3570
AUSC 3085
NUSC 2680
HWU 860
RGU 360
The championships once again highlighted not only the depth of talent in Scotland’s student surfing scene, but also the strong sense of community and shared love for the sport.
The competition proved to be a great opportunity for senior committee members from each university surf club and Scottish Surfing to meet up and reflect on the past year of the university surf scene. The discussion focused on growing participation, strengthening inter-club collaboration, and exploring opportunities for future events and development, marking an important step in shaping the direction of student surfing in Scotland
After the competition, surfers and supporters gathered for the official after-party at The Bobbin, Aberdeen, to celebrate a successful day in the water.
A huge thank you to Ethan Clarke for the video edit, Scot Surf for hosting us at the trailer, Lost Shore Surf Resort for the prizes, Red Bull, ABDN Surf Club, Aberdeen Surf Club, Aberdeen Surf Lifesaving Club, all the volunteers, judges, participants, and the local Aberdeen beachfront community for making the day such a success.
