The wait is finally over.

After 133 days since the final race of the Australian summer, the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series returns this Saturday as Newquay, England, hosts the opening round of the 2026 international season.

Some of the world's best ocean athletes will descend on Cornwall to battle across Swim, Board, Ski, Ironman and Ironwoman events, kicking off an exciting three-week international swing through Great Britain, France and the United States.

Set against the backdrop of one of Europe's most iconic surf towns, Newquay is the perfect place to begin the next chapter of the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series.

Few places have shaped British surf lifesaving quite like Newquay.

Since the early 1960s, Australian lifeguards introduced modern surf culture to the town, helping transform Fistral Beach into the heart of British surfing. Today, Newquay is widely regarded as the UK's surfing capital, hosting world-class surfing events while also developing generations of elite surf lifesaving athletes through the Newquay Surf Life Saving Club. The town's rich ocean sports culture makes it a fitting destination for the return of international Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series racing.


RACE DAY FORECAST

Saturday is shaping up to be a brilliant day for racing in Newquay. Expect sunny skies, a pleasant high of 21°C and a light southwesterly breeze of around 25 km/h through race time. With no rain forecast and near-perfect visibility, athletes and spectators are in for an ideal day on Fistral Beach.

While the Atlantic Ocean  is famous for  being solid in may  it  stay quiet. Expect flat and fast conditions. It will reward technical precision, speed out of the water, and sharp decision-making through transitions. It will be close racing right to the wire.

We gave Piran Phillips a call to get his thoughts on who to watch this weekend. You can also listen to his full preview in the podcast below.

 

ATHLETES TO WATCH

Men's Swim
Australian surf race specialist Henry Simpson enters as the athlete to beat after consistently proving himself against Australia's strongest fields. British National Champion Kiran Gammon will be among his biggest challengers on home sand, while exciting 16-year-old talents Will Davies and Max Young are names to remember after producing outstanding performances at national level.

Women's Swim
With several of Great Britain's leading swimmers unavailable, the women's race presents a fantastic opportunity. Abbie Davies comes into the event full of confidence after winning the opening round of the British Surf Series and will be looking to continue that momentum.

Men's Board
Henry Simpson again headlines the favourites, but experienced competitor Bob Whittaker has the experience to challenge him. Eighteen-year-old Ezekiel Padbury is another athlete to watch after claiming victory in the opening round of the British Surf Series, announcing himself as one of Britain's rising stars.

Women's Board
Australian star Emily Doyle starts as the clear favourite. Defending Newquay winner Farli Abram-Bridges returns after an impressive victory last year and continues to improve despite still being only 17 years old. Ellie McCloy also possesses the experience to challenge for the podium.

Men's Ski
The men's ski could produce one of the closest contests of the day. Home favourite Piran Phillips backs himself to lead the field, but Germany's Clemens Wulkopf will be right alongside him, with Terry Miller and Owen Pope also expected to feature prominently.

Women's Ski
Piran believes Evie Wong has what it takes to upset Emily Doyle after representing Great Britain in K4 kayaking and claiming European beach sprint titles. Current Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series star Emily Doyle remains a major contender, while world ocean racing champion Rosie Edwards cannot be overlooked.

Men's Iron
Henry Simpson again enters as favourite, but Bob Whittaker has defeated Australian Iron Series athletes before and has the experience to cause another upset. Keep an eye on 16-year-old Will Davies, who many believe could become Britain's next great Ironman.

Women's Iron
Emily Doyle's résumé speaks for itself and she'll be the woman everyone is chasing. Former European champion Ellie McCloy shapes as her biggest challenger on home waters.


FOLLOW THE ACTION

Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series General Manager Ben Cochrane will be on the ground throughout Saturday delivering behind-the-scenes content, interviews, race highlights and live updates across the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series social media channels, ensuring fans around the world don't miss a moment of the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series international season opener.

After four months away from competition, the countdown is over.

The road to international glory begins this Saturday in Newquay.

THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL PARTNERS WHO MAKE THESE EVENTS HAPPEN.

SHAW AND PARTNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES
RACE ONE SURFCRAFT
JAYD SWIMWEAR