Museum of British Surfing

The Museum of British Surfing’s first event in North Devon was a sell-out UK film premiere that raised £900 for the Charity.

The big wave movie night was organised and run by volunteers, led by Tom Sharpe and supported by the local surfing community. More than 100 people packed out Croyde Village Hall last night, to hear local surfing author Tim Kevan host a live chat with big wave expert Andrew Cotton and his shaper Julian Matthews of Gulf Stream talk about the movie, riding giant waves and what goes into shaping the special tow boards.

“This was our first event in North Devon and what a fantastic success! The whole evening was put together by one our volunteers, Tom Sharpe, and I can’t thank him enough, he did a truly wonderful job, ” said surf museum founder Pete Robinson.

“It was really heartwarming to see the incredible community spirit among surfers from all over North Devon – it was a great get-together, with lots of laughs and smiles. And of course it was celebrating the latest chapter in British surfing history with our own Cotty setting new standards in big wave riding on a global level.”

“The money raised through the event is vital. We need every penny we can get towards our design & build project and it is really tough for charities like us right now. We’re planning regular film, music and cultural events here in North Devon next year to raise money for the Museum of British Surfing charity, and we’ll be using some of that money to provide new opportunities for young people in the Braunton area.”

The main film shown was the ‘Zon North Canyon Show’, a 3-year documentary project featuring Andrew Cotton, Al Mennie and Garrett MacNamara riding massive swells that break off the beach at Nazaré in Portugal. The climax of the evening was seeing Cotty towing Hawaiian Garrett MacNamara into what’s believed to be the biggest wave ever ridden at 90 feet a couple of weeks ago.

Event sponsors included; Croyde Deckchair Cinema, Tiki, Saltrock, Analog, Gulf Stream, St Austell Brewery, King’s Arms Georgeham, Corduroy Lines and Wavedreamer

Many thanks to surf photographer Rob Tibbles for providing the main photos of the film night.