Holywell Bay’s ‘Bay of Dreams’ hosts the Surf Life Saving Nationals

For one week in August, a quiet stretch of north Cornish sand turns into the busiest beach in the sport. Holywell Bay, the ‘Bay of Dreams’, is two weeks away from hosting the 2026 Surf Life Saving National Beach Championships, and thousands are expected to travel down to race, watch and cheer. The local club has put hundreds of volunteer hours into the sand to make sure everyone gets something worth the trip.

A week built around every age group

The championships run from 15 to 22 August. The week opens with the Masters, moves on to the Youth competitors, and finishes with the Nippers to round things off. Between the heats there is a whole event village to enjoy, and the club is keen that people come along to watch even if they have never been near the sport before.

SS Francia, a bar named after a shipwreck

At the heart of the village sits SS Francia, a bar sponsored by Rattler and named after the famous Holywell shipwreck. It will be open all week. Expect special guest appearances from Shorefire, Emily Howard, The Strutts, and Emily and Luke Spurrell, plus hip hop karaoke, silent discos and more for daily apres-surf entertainment. Times and the full schedule are on the club’s event entertainment webpage.

Nobody is going hungry either. Pizza, BBQ and breakfast will be served alongside a cafe every day of the week.

Prizes worth chasing in the raffle

The event raffle is now live, and the prize list reads like a Cornish wish list. Dryrobe, Unique Home Stays and Billabong have all donated, alongside a 106 Vanquish Carbon Race Board, Celtic & Co boots, breakfast at The Pig and afternoon tea for two at Bedruthan Hotel. Tickets are £5 for 10 entries and the draw takes place on 22 August. You can buy raffle tickets here.

Merch is available too, on pre-order only through the club shop. Worth noting before you turn up hoping to grab one: no t-shirts will be sold during the event, so it is pre-order or nothing.

‘Overwhelmed with the energy and goodwill’

Club Chairman Steve Peck said the run-up has been a lesson in what a community can pull together.

“Huge thanks to everyone involved in bringing this event together. We have been overwhelmed with the amount of energy and goodwill to get us to this point. We have had some incredible prizes donated to the raffle, huge thanks to all those who have supported!”

He also had a particular thank you, and a teaser to go with it. “Special thanks to Stride Treglown for the amazing film produced to help us find our missing frame for the main stage. If you know, you know! Check out our social media if not.”

Steve wants the welcome to stretch well beyond the competitors. “We hope everyone feels welcome to come along, watch and enjoy the event village, even those new to the sport. Maybe even feel inspired to sign up, no matter your age!”

You can follow the build-up on the club’s Facebook page, on Instagram at @hbayslsc, and on the Holywell Bay Surf Life Saving Club website, where travel, parking and a general event brief are also set out.