About the UK Surf & Skate Expo

“The objective is to celebrate, connect and elevate both surfing and skateboarding through a mix of trade, consumer, education and entertainment,” — Chris Thomson, Founder.

The UK Surf & Skate Expo was born out of the need to bring people back together. Post-lockdown, an idea of being siloed and staying at home permeated across the world – the ripple effect of that was vast, especially across two cultures that thrive on being outdoors.

The concept was simple; connection through shared experience. The need to down the doom-scroll and embrace being outside, together, is the core of what makes this Expo tick.

Chris Thomson, former British Masters Longboard Champion – who you can find most days perched on the business end, of a whip above the nine foot mark – came up with the idea to celebrate the surf and skate cultures – and to offer attendees their opportunity to interact and be face-to-face with, their favourite brands, surfers, skaters and so much more.

Studies have revealed that post COVID, the UK is the fourth-largest surf market on the planet, just behind the US, Australia and Brazil – there are more surfers in the water than ever before and the line-up has become more diverse. Skating saw a similar boom in the post-COVID world, with a significant increase in UK skaters. After the 2020 Olympics, apps like MySkate app – set up to find skateparks near you, saw an increase of 180,000 users per month. 

But Chris had a broader vision than figures on the page. Afterall, people aren’t numbers on a page, they’re humans with real-word needs, who like tangibility and interacting with likeminded souls. The idea was to foster a space to trade ideas, to bring everyone together, to make sure interaction and connectivity was at the forefront of the overarching ethos.

“There were a few moments that drove the vision,” said Chris. “That need for post-lockdown connection – but also – to make it feel like a crossroads and a meeting of people across different places and spaces. Imagine the ancient soukhs of Marrakech where traders gathered, people interested in the hustle and bustle, the mish-mash of different cultures, just bringing everyone together under a shared common purpose. That’s what I had in my mind and think we got that right in the first year, 2025.

“The main driving force though, was right there: The UK Surf & Skate Expo exists to unite the surf and skateboard communities across the UK in one focused event. It provides a platform where culture, industry, athletes, enthusiasts and the broader lifestyle meet. The objective is to celebrate, connect and elevate both surfing and skateboarding through a mix of trade, consumer, education and entertainment.”

This has under-pinned the connections forged as part of the UK Surf & Skate Expo — while it is distinctly located in the heart of the UK surf scene, it is a meeting point for the globe. 2025 saw Dogtown and Z Boys’ Tony Alva fly in from California, Dylan Longbottom came over from Australia to talk big wave stories, Andrew Cotton gave a stellar key-note on ‘how not to make it’ as a professional surfer. Olympic teenager Lola Tambling gave a fireside chat about her own pathway through skateboarding.

What became apparent was remembering what we already knew: the most powerful brand activations in the world don’t happen in boardrooms or banner ads. They happen in moments of shared experience. When a community encounters a brand and thinks: ‘you get it. You’re one of us.’

That’s what the Expo offers. It wasn’t impressions (though they were stellar). Not closed-mindedness. More, a genuine opportunity to find your tribe, and for them to find you.

As big wave surfing legend Dylan Longbottom – who has made a name for hucking it over the lip of some of the biggest waves on the planet said: “I’ve been to many of these, but the UK Surf & Skate Expo was one of the best-organised events I’ve attended. That was year one, imagine where this goes in the future.”

The great thing about the Expo, is you don’t have to be from a surf or skate background to book in as an exhibitor. We’re an inclusive bunch, and if your brand is out there to align with outdoor enthusiasts, then we want to hear from you. We can help you find your places amongst surfers and skaters – and for our attendees, we’re committed to bringing you brands we know will resonate.

In 2026, it’s anticipated 20,000 people are due to make it to the Expo, which takes place on July 25th and 26th. This year, there’s so much more going on, including the European Surf Film Festival, Out Of Office Conference, Wavelength UK Surfer Awards, Wind & Foil Show, talks in the Expo Hall, Skate Jam, Rising Tide Festival (sustainable festival as part of the Expo), Great Western Beach surf competition supported by Salt Rock and so much more.

The UK Surf & Skate Expo, backed by 45-years of Wavelength Magazine’s editorial credibility, is the place to start that conversation. Or to deepen one you’ve already begun.