• Langland Board Riders (LBR) win the Welsh Surfing Federation’s Wilkinson Sword at Whitesands Bay, Pembrokeshire
• LBR and Pembrokeshire Surf Club (PSC) finish on equal points in the annual Welsh inter-club comp, but higher number of heats won means the sword heads to Swansea this year
• The win means LBR are sword guardians for the first time since 2022

On Sunday 12th April, Pembrokeshire Surf Club (PSC), Channel Coast Surf Club (CSC), Welsh Coast Surf Club (WCSC) and Langland Board Riders (LBR) gathered at Whitesands Bay in Pembrokeshire to compete for Welsh club supremacy in the 47th edition of the Wilkinson Sword.

Full heat scores

PSC were vying for a fourth ‘Wilky’ win in a row, but LBR made a clear statement of intent through the availability of QS shredder Patrick Langdon-Dark and Alys Barton fresh from qualification for the WSL Challenger Series. CSC and WCSC brought also strong representation, setting the scene for an epic day of competition on a swell-blessed day in sunny west Wales.

Battle commenced around 11am at low-tide Whitesands, where solid overhead waves rattled under the weight of a strong cross-shore wind. The challenging conditions were met with fearless energy by all surfers who in turn were fired up by fantastic support from teams and spectators on shore.

Patrick Langdon-Dark set the pace in the morning heats, finishing on a combined score of 13, with PSC’s Willem Beck not far off in second place on 9. LBR then built on their early scores through QS surfer, Elliot Barton who got to the top spot with 9.

The Pembs tribe hit back through GB Cup finalist, Euan Buick and last year’s U16 Welsh Nationals champ, Elijah Jones. Langland’s Tom Khaw battered the lip a number of times on his way to 9.93 and pole position in his heat. Mark Vaughan (CCSC) and Arthur Buick (PSC) were a fin’s width behind, finishing on 9.74 and 9.06 respectively.

The Women’s Open rounds turned into an LBR showcase; Alys Barton tore mid-tide Whitesands to bits to earn a heat-winning total of 13.6 from the judges. Katrina Roth-Gale put on a display befitting of an U12 European champion; the super-grom took off on a few bombs and demonstrated solid rail work in the tough line-up and deservedly took the top spot in her group.

A pushing sea brought better shape to the waves as the afternoon heats progressed. Alys Barton and Jago Sime (PSC) were the standout performers in the Women’s and Men’s Longboard division, both navigating inside runners with style.

Home warrior Harry Cromwell linked a couple of solid forehand re-entries to win the Over 35s category, while the evergreen dynamism of Greg Owen boosted the Welsh legend to second place to bag valuable points for Welsh Coast Surf Club. A seasoned display from Surfline guru Jamie Bateman put the Channel Coast Surf Club stamp on the gold medal in the Over 45s.

The dropping wind made things more manageable for the Juniors’ heats which got underway mid-afternoon. Up-and-coming shredder Bryn Baker delivered for PSC in the U18s Boys. He was closely followed on the roster by Max Davies (LBR), then Will Proctor (WCSC), and Indi Jones (CCSC). Looking forward to another big year, Josie Hawke put on a powerful show on her local to conquer the Girls U18 heat. Caitlin Bazely came in second to register scores for CCSC.

Ryan Croucher continued the points haul for LBR in the U16 Boys division, while Florence Hughes did her bit for PSC, finishing first in the U16 Girls. Business culminated with the U14s, the talents of Monty Cole and Katrina Roth-Gale locking in top dollar for LBR at the end of an outstanding day of competitive surfing.

When all scores had been tallied up, Langland Board Riders and Pembrokeshire Surf Club finished on equal points. However, the Sword went to LBR, thanks to their superior number of heats won.

Stay tuned to socials for more photos from the Wilkinson Sword 2026!

Final scores

LBR Team Captain, Callum Thomas said:

The infrastructure at Whitesands is really good and I thought Pembrokeshire Surf Club put on a great event. We did well to put a team together and had a few late drop-outs, but managed to tweak a few areas and everyone stepped up to the challenge.

Alys has loads on at the moment but we persuaded her to come down. It was also great to have Pat representing us, and we had both Bartons in the longboard categories, with Elliot doing one of the turns of the event on a log. 

It was a brilliant day and we're chuffed to get the sword back, hopefully we can hold onto it for a few years. We'll have the Wilkinson Sword at the Doghouse in Mumbles on Saturday - we're putting a party on to celebrate Alys getting on the Challenger Series, so we're looking forward to that."

PSC Team Captain, Harry Cromwell said:

"I had a great heat - beating three Welsh surfing legends always feels good. Growing up I've always looked up to Mark, Greg and Lloyd.

"Hats off to Phil for pulling together a full team once again this year. Without him I feel Pembrokeshire would never have got its act together. It was great to see all the groms pushing through and winning heats. We were unlucky with a few results and missing a few key players. which ended in our draw with LBR for first place. But hats off to them for doing so well without a full team. It was great to see everyone and I had a good laugh with all. Great event!"

WCSC Team Captain, Greg Owen said:

"We were a depleted team, but we were a TEAM!"

"I’m training to go back to Tenerife for the European Masters, so I wanted a hard hit – a bit of pressure to test myself. I had a tough heat with Lloyd, Vaughny and Harry, so I really had to dig deep and work hard in the water. Those guys were constantly paddling, so it was about dealing with that pressure while still sticking to my plan and strategy.

"In the end, I managed to build my score nicely – three waves, each one a little better than the last, which is realistically all you could ask for in those conditions. There was a strong current running, and once you committed to one of those rights, it was difficult to get back out. So my plan was to take at least one left back towards the rip, then look for a right – and that worked out.

"From a team perspective, I was captain, and we were a bit depleted – we didn’t have a full squad – but we were a proper team in spirit. Everyone had each other’s backs, and people were willing to do whatever was needed. That’s something you can really build on.

"We finished fourth in the end - tied on points for third with CCSC, but it went down to heat wins and they edged it. Fair enough. But our youngsters did really well – they learned how to form a strategy on the beach and then execute it in the water, which is huge at this level.

"I was really proud of them. They’re young, they’re learning fast, and even when they were getting knocked around out there, they kept thinking and adapting. It felt like some really solid foundations were laid for the future.

"Realistically, Langland have a very strong team now – with Alys, Katrina, the European champion, and Monty – so they’ll be tough to beat for a few years. But for us, and for Welsh Coast Surf Club, there’s a lot to be positive about. We’ve got something we can build on.

"And most importantly, we had a great time. Everyone enjoyed it – no one was rushing off the beach. That says a lot about the team spirit we’ve got.

"Thanks to the WSF for running the event and the PSC for hosting us. Congratulations to LBR - worthy winners."

Event Organiser, Phil Sadler said:

"It was a great day of surfing and a fun atmosphere. We had solid waves all day - a great season opener for the Welsh Surfing Federation."

Welsh Surfing Federation’s director, Huw John said:

"It's really good to see the sword switching hands and heading back to Langland for the first time in four years. It's also great to see Swansea surfers getting back into the thick of the competition and throwing down the challenge to the other clubs. A big shout out to Alys Barton following her fantastic achievements qualifying for the Challenger Series. It was awesome to see her involved and she represented at Whitesands superbly well.

"The day brought a variety of conditions; it was windy but we had solid swell throughout which made for a cracking day of competition. Once again, the Welsh surfing community came together for the WSF's curtain raiser to the season, and everyone had a really enjoyable day.

"Big thanks to all the athletes, judges, organisers and supporters involved, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year at Langland."

Huge thanks once again go to:

Judges / Officials – Huw John, Jamie Bateman, Curtis Hancock, Gwen Spurlock, Craig Nicol, Steve White, Mark Vaughan, and Rhyd.

Huge thanks also to all organisers, sponsors, supporters and spectators, and of course to our fabulous surfers.