Across the nation the Scottish Surfing communities vary in each area from fully fledged, well regulated clubs down as far as a group of friends that simply want to go surfing.
Support works two ways.
Ultimately without the support of the Scottish surfers the SSF wouldn’t exist. In turn the SSF want to support the local surf communities and businesses giving them the national leverage as required to best develop the sport in their area as they see fit.
How surfing develops locally can of course be influenced by many factors:
- Environmental impacts.
- Local Facilities.
- National and International Competitions.
- Surf Culture.
- Surf Lifestyle.
- Surf related businesses.
- Surf Clubs.
Through the different media streams in use – the website, ‘The Hardcore’ and Facebook the SSF hopes to be able to keep the Scottish Surfers updated with what’s happening in the surfing world locally and nationally. As a way of getting together the SSF target two main events per annum – ‘The Scottish Surfing Championships’ and The Gathering of the Clans’. In recent years with the increase in coastal developments the SSF have helped support many surf communities liaise and give feedback on marine renewable developments with the aim of protecting the surfing environment. In some other cases the SSF have also provided support to communities looking at potential national and international competitions.
Within Scotland there are no dedicated surf specific local facilities, many use existing carparks and in some cases areas are fortunate to have toilet blocks close by the surf sites. This has however given rise to parking issues in certain areas as well as poor protection from the elements in other areas for getting changed (as a result many surfers have opted to purchase vans). At some of the world class breaks which generate significant income for the respective local areas there are no local facilities – a simple hot shower on a cold winters day may go a long way to promoting youth development within the sport. The SSF are committed to support the local communities with their facility development needs providing national leverage where required. Ultimately The SSF want to provide the Scottish surfers with a structure that will benefit them and promote the core aspects that make up responsible surfing in their area.
The Hardcore
‘The Hardcore’ was historically a SSF newsletter publication. It gave information as to what was happening in Scotland at the time forms part of the Scottish surfing culture.
During December 2012 a new version of ‘The Hardcore’ was issued. It was well received and not only benefits from input from a variety of different contributors but it also acted as a piece of Scottish Surfing Federation memorabilia capturing the characters that were shaping the sport of the time.
As a ‘blast from the past’ please find attached below one of the earliest Hardcore Magazines – (NOTE The current SSF committee will not be held liable for any of the actions taken by previous members as told within the Historic Hardcore magazines)
Events
The SSF normally aims to hold two main events per annum but also supports many locally run events throughout the year. There has also been a plethora of different events runs from Scottish surfing film premieres, to social nights outs, foraging weekends through to beach clean ups.
The Scottish Surfing Championships
The Scottish Surfing Championships is the main competitive event held on a nationwide basis and marks the pinnacle of performance surfing within Scotland. The event is normally held annually in the spring allowing the best Scottish Surfers to compete in the best Scottish waves. Many candidates train relentlessly through the winter months where each competitor battles it out for recognition across numerous categories. The Scottish Surfing Championships have been in existence since 1973 and year after year competitors battle it out for their name etched into the sacred ‘Bill Batten’ Trophy.
The Gathering of the Clans
The Gathering of the Clans events main purpose is to unite the surfing communities from across Scotland. The format traditionally follows a surf competition during the day with a social event in the evening. Unlike traditional surfing competitions each surf community competes as a team comprising of competitors across 5 divisions - typically the Open, Seniors, Longboard, Ladies and Junior events where each competitor earns points towards their respective ‘Clan’. Whereas with the Scottish Surfing Championships there is a large focus on the ‘Open’ category the other categories score just as much points as the ’Open’ and hence this style event has helped push performance in all respective areas as well as giving a form of competition to strengthen the Scottish Surfing Communities.
Surf Schools
There are many surf schools scattered around the country offer different levels of training and different training packages.
The SSF want to make sure newcomers to the sport have as a good an experience as possible for their first time under the right instruction with the right equipment hence its important to ensure the surf school of choice has the right surf qualification as well as current water safety and lifesaving qualification.
There are three official surf school qualifications:
- International Surfing Association (ISA).
- Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI).
- BSA (British Surfing Association) – the former national governing body.
Each of these qualifications offer similar levels of qualifcation:
- Level 1 Surfing Instructor
- Level 2 Surfing Coach
- Level 3 Surfing Coach
- Level 4 Master Surfing Coach
Students
The student surf scene has played a significant role in the development of the sport and has also gradually grew in recent years. In many ways the future of the country the student scene represents a window for some of the largest groups of newcomers to the sport. The university surf clubs are well organised, consisit of frequent events and the Scottish University teams often punch well above their weight at the annual UK Student Surfing Championships.
Responsible Surfing
There are many aspects that involve responsible surfing – Ettiquette, Health, Fitness and Travel to name but a few.
As the waters around Scotland have became busier and a lot of newcomers to the sport have been introduced. The SSF feel its important each beginner receives a decent grounding in water safety and etiquette to ensure they do not become a hazard to themselves or other water users.
The sport of surfing naturally keeps its participants fit. To reach and maintain a high standard of surfers have to keep themselves in shape with both strength, cardiovascular and flexibility training being part of course.
Health plays a significant factor in the surfing world and there are numerous studies which identify the benefits both physically and mentally that surfing, in particular in cold water can offer.
Many of the Scottish Surfers opt to travel to warmer climates occasionally and experience conditions elsewhere. Through the extensive network that can be reached via the website and ‘hardcore’ and social network groups others have benefited from post trip reviews and feedback from one another’s expeditions.