World’s first ever fringe surfing festival is coming to Braunton this summer
Breadboards, wooden bellyboards, surf mats and other unusual surf craft will be the focus of the first-ever Fringe Fest dedicated to alternative surfing methods, held in Braunton from June 12-14
Weird and whacky ways of riding waves will take front and centre at the world’s first ever fringe surfing festival in Braunton this June.
If you’ve never tried to surf on a breadboard, old-fashioned wooden bellyboard or other alternative surfing craft, Fringe Fest from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14 is definitely for you!
The festival, which is jointly organised by the North Devon Slide Community and the Museum of British Surfing, aims to unite people who take to the sea on wooden bellyboards, surf mats, paipos, handplanes or other unusual surfing implements.
Across the weekend will be a series of events, fairs and entertainment - both ticketed and open to all - for people to join fellow fringe riders and learn more, chat, meet new people and of course catch some waves.
Above: Jez Weston of North Devon-based Pierpoint Bellyboards making a traditional wooden bellyboard. Credit: Jez Weston
Each will be interviewed and the audience will get chance to ask questions as well.
Saturday morning will see an open-to-all Fringe Fair held at the Museum of British Surfing in Caen Street car park.
Above: Fringe Festival will feature an array of alternative surfing craft, such as hand planes. Credit: One Blue Eye
Kick back and celebrate on Saturday evening with a ticketed party in Braunton Parish Hall. There will be plenty of tunes from the 70s, 80s and 90s by DJ Doughboy, plus a bar.
Sunday morning begins with a beach clean at Saunton Sands, organised by Surfers Against Sewage, followed by a ‘mass slide’, where everyone is encouraged to share some waves together.
The whole weekend will raise money for the Museum of British Surfing, whose volunteers work to preserve Britain’s surfing heritage and history. Profits from ticket sales, the raffle and other activities will be donated to the museum.
Mark Adams, museum trustee, said: “Surfing was never just ‘Stand Up’. The Museum of British Surfing is stoked working with the sliding community staging the Festival of Fringe Surfing.
Above: Surfing on a traditional wooden bellyboard. Credit: Jez Weston
The Friday and Saturday evening events are ticketed - weekend tickets are available to buy online from the museum at a price of £25 – go to https://buytickets.at/museumofbritishsurfing/2110380
Organisers are encouraging people to stay in local accommodation for the three-day, with Lobb Fields being designated as the campsite of choice.