This year's Boardmasters festival saw the return of the World Surf League's Qualifying Series (QS) with the BYD Pro QS1000 being held at Fistral Beach, Newquay.

In a truly historic moment for British surfing, Welsh talent Patrick Langdon-Dark (PLD) faced off against Cornish ripper Lukas Skinner in an all-British final at the BYD Pro QS1000. This thrilling showdown took place under sunny skies at Fistral Beach, with three-foot waves rolling in at high tide, providing the perfect setting for a high-stakes battle.

To reach the final, PLD battled through the rounds of international surfing talent who flew in to compete in England's only WSL stop on the QS. PLD won every heat he had on the road to the final!

With the World Surf League (WSL) live-streaming the event, thousands of fans across the globe tuned in to witness this extraordinary final, while a massive crowd gathered on the sands of Fistral to cheer on the competitors. The atmosphere was electric, with anticipation building as the two surfers paddled out to battle it out in the surf.

Adding to the occasion, the commentary team was an all-Welsh duo, with Tom Anderson and Rob Blythe providing expert insights and keeping the energy high on the microphone. Their passionate commentary resonated with the local crowd, further enhancing the sense of national pride surrounding this historic final.

PLD delivered a stellar performance, locking in the highest wave score of the final with an impressive 8.07. Unfortunately, despite his strong showing, Pat was unable to improve his second score, leaving the door open for Lukas Skinner to take the victory. The young Cornish grom capitalised on the opportunity, ultimately edging out Pat to take first place in this landmark event.

Though PLD came in second, his performance in this all-British final marks a significant achievement for himself & Welsh surfing. The Welsh Surfing Federation is immensely proud of Patrick’s accomplishment and looks forward to more exciting moments as he sets off to Lacanau, France, straight after the final to continue the European QS tour.

Congratulations to both Patrick and Lukas for delivering such an unforgettable final, and to the incredible fans who made the atmosphere at Fistral Beach truly special. This historic event will be remembered as a milestone in British surfing, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for our homegrown talents. 

Notably, both Patrick and Lukas are members of the inaugural GB Surfing ‘Progression Squad,’ a testament to the investment in developing local talent. This program aims to nurture the next generation of British surfers, and the success of these two athletes in such a prestigious event highlights the effectiveness of this initiative. Their achievements are a clear indication that the future of British surfing is bright, with homegrown talent making a significant impact on the international stage.

Relive the action by clicking here to watch the recap!