The 2025 English Interclub Surfing Championships at Porthtowan came to an abrupt halt on Sunday when a sewage discharge caused the beach to be red-flagged by the RNLI.

With more than 140 competitors in the water from clubs across the country, event organisers were left with no option but to call off the contest and ask all surfers to leave the water.

Hannah Brand, operations manager for Surfing England, said: “We were informed by lifeguards that the beach was being red-flagged due to a sewage discharge. In response, we immediately called off the contest and asked all surfers to leave the water, as the health and safety of our competitors is paramount.

“We were devastated to end the event early, especially with clean three to five feet waves providing perfect competition conditions, and with such a high standard of surfing on display from the clubs.

“As proud members of the Clean Water Sports Alliance, and in partnership with Surfers Against Sewage - - we continue to call on the government to take urgent action on water pollution. Having to cut short such a major event only underlines the importance of ensuring our waters are safe and clean for everyone.

“It was still an epic event. A huge thank you to all the clubs for understanding – and thanks to all our sponsors, event staff, volunteers, competitors and everyone who had a part in making the weekend one to remember.”

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) was running a beach clean at the contest. SAS campaign manager Rob Abrams said: “We are really devastated for the competitors, some of whom had travelled hundreds of miles to compete and progress in their surfing. This was a great opportunity taken away from them.

“SAS was launched in 1990 in Porthtowan – this year is our 35th anniversary. The fact this is still happening all these years later – I can feel the frustrations of locals. Government policy needs to change at national level – water companies should not be able to act with impunity for so long.

A South West Water spokesperson said its storm overflow at Porthtowan activated “in line with its permits following heavy rainfall in the area”.

Storm overflows are pressure relief valves built into the network to stop homes and businesses from flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, and reducing their use “is a priority” for South West Water.

“Change of this scale takes time, ambition and increased investment,” said the spokesperson. “We are working hard to actively reduce our use of storm overflows across the region as part of our £3.2 billion investment programme.

“There is more to do and we are moving in the right direction driven by our determination to deliver on our customers' priorities.

“We will be the first water company to meet the Government target of less than 10 spills per overflow, per year - a decade ahead of target – and we are one of only five companies in the industry to reduce spills in 2024 compared to 2023.”