Bid to build on Thurso's surfing kudos

Joan Lawrie believes not enough is being made of this reputation by business or tourism bodies.

About 3000 people are set to visit Thurso East for next month’s UK Pro Surfing Championships. With 100 surfers set to battle for the title, the event will bring spin-offs to the local economy during the off-peak season.

Although Thurso is world-renowned as a surfing destination – claimed by many as the best Europe – Ms Lawrie believes the local economy is missing a trick.

She said that the UK championships should be used as a catalyst to show the world what the area can offer and help improve tourism in the area.

“Surfing is a hugely important aspect of the Caithness economy and professional surfers and documentary film-makers have always said that Thurso East has the best waves in Europe,” she said. “It is hugely important that we get the noise out that these waves do exist on our coastline. Thurso is world-renowned as one of the best surfing destinations on the planet, but locally people don’t seem to be picking up on that fact.

“Professional surfers have moved to Caithness specifically due to the excellent conditions that exist but the process of encouraging more people to take up surfing and promote the sport has been slow.”

Earlier this year, the local economy was dealt a major blow when the O’Neill surfwear company announced it was cancelling its sponsorship of the Coldwater Classic tour, which visited Thurso between 2006 and 2011. The competition brought the world’s best surfers and tourists from across the globe, generating £4 million to the Caithness economy, averaging £800,000 a year.

Ms Lawrie said that even though losing the Coldwater Classic was a blow, the fact another high-profile competition arrived in its place proved the area’s first-class credentials.

“Losing the Coldwater Classic was a disappointment but there will always be someone who will come along to stage a surfing contest because of the waves we get here.

“We always knew another surf contest would come along and that is what happened with the UK Surf Pro Tour, which is staging its biggest competition to date at the beach.”

The event will coincide with the Wave North Festival, which aims to promote surfing in the county and which will feature events including live music, arts, crafts and other activities.

The rising stars on the Caithness surfing scene will also be taking part when junior surfers join the professionals to compete in the junior Thurso championship.

In addition to the action on the waves, a host of stars from the world of skateboarding and BMX will be in town to perform at a purpose-built skate park at the harbour, where visitors can receive free on-site coaching.

EventScotland chief operating officer Paul Bush said he was delighted that the UK championships were being held in the far north.

“Surfing is one of the most exciting sports on our annual calendar of events and I am delighted that the National Pro Surfing Tour is coming to Scotland,” he said.

“Scotland is the perfect stage for events and I have no doubt that the spectacular coastline by Thurso will deliver ideal surfing conditions.”

The competition is being staged at Thurso East on October 27 and 28.

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